The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-11-25
IT Is A PUBLIC TRUST.

- n ftbLiS iHtSt.
1t has been the belief of a large part
of the American public for several years
that a revolution would be needed in the
governmental affairs of the nation be-
fore these affairs would be conducted in
accordance with ordinary business prin-
ciples. and before the conduct of the ma
tons routine work would be creditable
either to the nation or to the men dele
gated to look after its affairs.
1t was scarcely understood by the
average run of people that public office
was a public trust until Grover Cleveland
told them so when he went from the ex-
ecutive mansion at Albany to the ex-
ecutive mansion dt Washington in 1884.
This idea that public office is a public
trust has gained considerable foot-hold
in the American mind. and it will sink
deeper as the prospect of realization is
improved and as its practical working is
demonstrated
Were it not for the indubitable fact
that the law of averages works in the
conduct of government affairs as in any
thing else, We might expect to have an
ideal system inaugurated in all our pub
lie departments, but it is impossible for
any community to have any kind of a
public institution which rises in charac-
ter much above the average of the ON
munity. There will be always Il few
persons above the average who will wish
to inject their transcendental thought
where only average thought can find its
wav, and the result will always be that
such as these will expect impossibilities.
But keeping the law of averages in
view it must be admitted that in the
average OF commercial business a certain
standard of excellence on the part of en-
ployes and the duties they perform is
strictly maintained, and it is therefore
clear that a much higher standard in the
conduct of public affairs might also be
maintained. In commercial business.
men art hbt dCCuSVN VA ESTABLISHING Il
privileged class because they retain in
their positions their book-keepers. conf
dental clerks and other employees. until
they reach the limit of their usefulness.
and then pension them on account of
past services. AS this system succeeds
so admirably in private affairs there is no
earthly reason why il should not be ap-
piled with proper limitations to the
affairs of the government.
True civil service reform means the es-
tablishment of Just such Il system. 1t
means that all properly qualified public
servants shall be kept in Office during
good behavior. and if if is logically car
ricd out it should also mean that a man
that has served Il certain number Of
years and is retired because of age or be
cause he is worn out in the service. he
should be sure Of an annuity sufficient
for his wants. and based upon the fact
that during his years of service his sti-
pend has been small enough. We look
apon the payment Of hundreds Of mil,
lions in pensions TO men who served II
few months IN the army as a matter Of
course. and as quite the proper thing.
How much more willing should we be as
d people to grant pensions to men who
have spent the best years Of their lives
in the service of the republic in steady
daily toll requiring knowledge, skill and
integrity.
With the establishment Of the public
service ON the basis laid down by Mr..
Cleveland that public Office Is Il public
trust" the American people mus, pre-
pare their minds for pursuing the idca
to it's logical conclusion. Such a srry-
Ice cannot exist unless provision is made
for those who have spent their lives in
il. and as the war pensions will -DOn be
I'm TO fall of it would be proper for the
civil pensions 10 begin, say in the year
1909. so that they might he extended
throughout the entire civil service Of the
government within a period of twenty
years thereafter.
\ volume might be written on the de
muraliZing effects Of 'he spOils system.
bat this is not the place to write it. and
these suggestions are thrown out as be-
ing timely in view Of Mr.. Clevcland's
approaching advent to the control of
national affairs.
There wall be NJ better representative
IN the next legislature than Mr. Beecher.