Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-02-18
splendid Reason for Congratula-
ton and Magnificent
Hope for the Future"

The Civil Service Record, issued in Ros-
ton, pays very gracious compliment to
the postoffice department by the republi-
can administration, the February number
containing the following article:
when Franklin was postmaster gener-
al his nephew Ben Mecom, wished to be
appointed to an Office in the department
then held by another relative with whom
the Mecoms were at variance. To a re-
quest made on his nephew's behalf Frank
lin replied:
If vacancy should happen it is very
probable he may be thought of to supply
it; but it is a rule with me not to remove
any officer that behaves well and keeps
regular accounts. and ! think the rule is
founded On reason and Justice If
my friends require OF ME to crafty, not
only their in"linations, but their resent
ments, they expect too much Of me-
''If Franklin were alive at the present
day it would be curious to see the look Of
establishment that would overspread his
face, being told that it was the political
duty Of high officials, not only promptly to
appoint ali their friends and relatives to
good positions, but to spend the major part
of their time IN weighing the 'lnclina-
hons and resentments' of various c.uues
OF local statesmen in an eudeavor to de-
eide to whom rightfully belonged the
spoils of office.
Mr.. Wannamaker has endeavored to
carry out the spirit of the civil service
law In the subordinate executive offices of
the department. The first, second and
third assistant postmasters generally are
me1 OF long training. The superintend-
ent of foreign mails, the chief clerk, and
the chief postcttlce inspector were all pro.
NOTED from the ranks, and every vacancy
OF Importance has been filed by promo
ton. Further than that, in July last the
merit system of promotion was establish.
ed for thousands of employees, who have
thus been taken out of the range of poll
tics or social influence. The employees
now govern their own advancement. They
pass daily examinations, the test being the
efficiency of their work, and impartial
boards composed of fellow employees con
duct examinations upon which promotions
dependent alone on merit are made. Gen.
eral Wannamaker asserts that it is hard TO
estimate the far-reaching benefits of this
system.
Thus, in respect to its finances. its
promise, its efficiency, its growth in
morals, and IN that best of political NOR
ais which is made to flourish under the
merit system, we have splendid reason
for congratulation and a magnificent
hope for future achievement and bene.
fit.
An intelligent public will appreciate
this complimentary notice, for the Record
has been quite mugwumpish In its criti-
cisms of the administration. 1t is the
mouthpiece Of tue civil service party tc
which Georse William Curtis belongs.
The Record seems to know civil service
reform when it sees it, which is not the
case with all mugwumps. The worst
postal service this country ever saw, at
least during the last twenty-five years,
was under CleveIand's administration.
Then, the .postofice department was man
aged purely by partisan motives and in
huences, but under Mr.. Wannamaker' s
direction, business and efficiency govern.
1t is gratifying that the Civil Service
Record can appreciate the difference be-
tween republican and democratic way
of discharging a public trust.