The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-16

Mr. CIasnssa's view Of OAesAoidi.g 10
Certainly Practical.
New York SUN
There are some remarks worthy OF attention
in IN sndress delivered last week By Mr.. Charles
Jerome BOuaparse, Of Baltimore. 1t the annual
meeting Of the Maryland Civil Service Associa-
ton.
There 10 question which goss to the bottom
Of the fai'acy on which the civil service reform
humouG rosfs. even in the minds OF intelligent
men like Mr.. Bonsparte.
Mr. Csarkson recently inquired Of the 90
called civil service refofmen whether in the I'd.
ADMINISTRATION Of private business afain IN en-
ployer els not more able 10 sscertajr the fitness
OF IN applicant 10 perform the class OF work that
belongs 10 his department than man who not
only has no interest in. but no knowledge OF
what il required in his department"
Mr.. Bonaper.s replies, VERY possibly he Il"
and then he proceeds TO argue that In MANY
cases the responsible executive oficer does mot
exercise bis functions - IN employer with
proper care knowledge, and sense of responsi-
billty. We quote ct considerable length from
the Baltimore Suns report Of Mr.. Bonapartess
speech.
IT Is occasionally startling 20 ind how com.
plesely principle, which no one ventures TO
repudiate in % many words. IL ignored BY our
once holder2 The governor and com ptrolier Of
this state have certain perfectly GEAR and
bhkAStAy 0SuuSQ IGN uutttO pkUt9t ttOu VI
the states funca These duties the present In
cumbenfss BY their own confession. have utterly
neglected, and by reason Of this neglect the
state h threatened with heavy loss. On every
principle Of commercial honesty. the unfaithful
ofhcera ought to make mp this loss, when ascer-
tained. out OF their own pockets: in almost
any country but ours, pnblic opinion would
1t least have forced them already TO re-
sign Yet It seems a. natural 20 everyone
else a. TO Themselves that they should calmly
draw the salaries which they have % sisnally
failed TO earn for the remainder of their terms
snd the governor, with . candor which would
be ludicsous II It we're not really alarming, ex-
culpates himself By saying that he never read 50
much OF the constitution ~ prescribes his own
dulles. And yet. why should we be surprised q
this? II . man il chosen to high Office, not
because any one thinks him dt to serve the
state, bat because certain political infrigueu
think him fit to serve them. Is it any cause for
wonder that he thinks first Of doing what he
Was In very truth selected to do, and only after.
ward. II it all OF his nominal duties. So long
- American voters submit to choosing public
ofisers to do the bidding, when chosen, Of the
least estimable and trustworthy class in the
communi y. they must pat mp with officers will.
Ing to accepfs such amissiou and with the conse-
quences OF having such olhcerx
ut 10 well that they should learn this by ex-
perience Iii fortunate for the people Of Mary
land, not, indeed. that their treasurer should
have tapped the states till, and their governor
and comptroller looked the other way while he
did II, but that they should know, even as some
cost. what manner OF men are iaised &, promi-
hence and power BY the scheme OF politics.
which made these men what they were. when
We are told BY Mr.. Garrison that the business
OF our government 10 transacted more accurate
y and at lower percentage Of loss than In any
other public or private business in existence,
because OF the fact that there IL rotation In
~&VtA "a -
seeking that actuates the men who take an in
terest In our political life. We are lucky In hav-
ing before our eyes 90 striking an illustration OF
these truths How clearly IL was patriotism
more than money seeking which inspired MI.
Archer's deep 1nterest in our political life!
How admirably would any private business in
existence be conducted how low q percentage
OF loss' would be incurred In 1t II IL had Cover
nor Jas kson - manager and Mr.. Baughman a.
bookkeeper. and they attended to IL a. they
have attended to the business OF the stated"
II this means anything Is an argument for
civil service reform By competitive literary
examination. 1t meAns that the governors. the
comptrollerS and the state treas,lren ought TO
be selected By the Chinese process, and not
elected BY the people: and that they ought to
hold Office. not for any limited term OF years.
bat for life. or ct last as long ~ they behave
themselves
II tina, il not what Mr.. Bonaparse means, his
statement OF the Maryland case merely signifies
that occasionally under the American system
OF election and rotation incompetent and care
less and even dishonest men are elected 10 pub
lie posts We do not imagine that any body will
dispute that proposition. II 10 historically and
psychoIogicaily true. 1t 10 only what must be
expected ~ long a. human nature and human |
character remain what they are. The American |
system. which produced Abraham Lincoln and |
John A. Andrew, also evolves now and then |
public officer with Q wooden head or q black |
and swindliug soul
Nevertheless, IL is the best system OF govern |
ment yet devised By the ingenuity OF mankind. |
ant we do not think that the people are quite |
ready 20 dispense with It, even IL the substitu. /
ton Of examination papers for the free ballot.
and the substitution Of life tenures for Quick |
rotation promises 70 round out the Musmump |
theory 10 the complete satisfaction OF intelli. |
reut gentlemen like Mr. Ronaparte of Raltf.