Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-03-11
The Merit s,,tem.


Senator Writ. of Cecil county. has in
troduced bill which provides for the
appointment of public officials under
civil service rules, tina. is. appointments
TO public Office in the Staic to he made
not because Of fiue or dirty work done
by aspirants. bit solely on the ground
of fitness for said positions
The rules to be framed by the com
mission created by the act. with the ap
prevail of the Governor. are only apPli-
cable tic the following classes Of office
holders and empl yes.
Teachers of public schools throughout
the State Members of the police and
FIRE departments, OF Baltimore city and
to deputies in clerks offices aud city de-
partmeuts Of Baltimore city, in ludiug
iaboress. The Governor, h1wever, is
authorized to extend the operation of the
rules to any city or county in the State,
aud to other Classes of public emp owes
from time to time in his discretion.
The bill follows closely in the lines Of
that adopted by the General Govern
meut, and for which both Senator'S Cor
man and Groome voted, aud the laws Of
New York and New Hampshire.
That the adoption Of the merit, in
place of the spoils system, would have a
tendency to elevate politics in this Slte
none can question. for then the grand
incentive to defraud and swiudle at elec
tions, wi h the hope Of being rewarded
for the crooked work done, by lucra
tive office, would be removed, and men
would vote end work for principles alone
Just at this time, in this county, the
bitterness Of feeling existing against the
leaders of the dominant party here be-
cause some of those active il doubtful
methods at last election, cannot or will
not be provided for, is greater i'll in,en-
sity than that which existed against pc
itieal opponents previous to the
election. Tha: condition would not,
could not, exist under civil service rules
Que of the members OF the Civil Ser
vice Reform Association, While urging
the Elections Committee of the Seua e t,
make a favor ble repore OF Senator
Wirt's bill, sail in part;
The keynote of our grievance is this,
that minor subordinate officers shall BE-
appointed without reference to poliica
strergtl or position, and not as reward
for party service. but according tr merit
Let me illustrate the exact situation Of
affairs in the party, by a comparison
with case that came under my notice
In III; T. & 0 office. in the auditing
department, there is most desirable pc
sitlon. AMI the appointing powers were
long troubled aud worried by both poli-
ticians and business men for that pllc,
for one Of their followers or friends 49,
We held several consultations, and de
termined to do away with such use $,
worry, aud. therefore, appointed an ex.
aiming commission of three. Even the
president cannot now get a man in thai
place. 1t is our wish to have this same
system apple to the city offices Now,
if bad any influence or wei .ht a. all in
politics. | would strive to get rid of thi,
terrible pressure brought on such mea
for office. Tnis is so in England ana
other foreign countries, aud the men Of
influence there are free Of che ceaseIes,
worry the system iu vogue IN this ccun.
try entails The reform we are asking
is not great; it would not give US all the
reform that is needle /, but it would be a
stepping -stonr Take out this evil, and
public discussions would be greater and
broader 1t would increase and engen.
der ambition for Office. which is fine
motive force. This is proven in Eng
land.
A prominent Democratic politician
when asked Why the country along the
Metropolitan Branch of the Baltimore
aud OHIO Railrord was building up near
Washington so rapidly, said that it was
ewing in measure to land speculations,
but mostly, he aided. to the fac. that
since the establishment of civil service
some ten thousand government clerk,
lrad been rendered safe in Office dOring
good behavior, and they had been cou-
verted into land owners. Instead of ren-
ters, they were not afrail to purchase
homes with the money they had saved
Contrast this condition of affairs with
that under the spells system. The chief
objection az inst the latter is its infer
nal brutality.
have Witnessed sad cases under its
operation. The idea that a change il
ruling parties should result in the kick
ing out of old. tried ard efhcicut em
ployes is monstrous. the Spolls system
will pass out Of existence in time, as
other great evils do. and the chief lever
ao.;s.st - mill h., ia hrutali,v