The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-12-05
CIVIL SERVICE.

The continued intelligent execution
of the civil service law and the in
creasing approval by the people of
its operation are most gratifying. The
recent extension of its limitations and
regulations to the employees at free
delivery postoffices which has been
honestly and promptly accomplished
by the commission with the hearty
cooperation of the postmast general.
is an immensely important advance in
the usefulness of the system. I am.
Iif possible. more than ever convinced
of the incalculable benefits conferred
by the civil service law. not
lie service. but also what is
even more important in it's effect
in elevating the tone Of political life
generally. The course Of civil service
reform IN this country instructively
and interestingly illustrates how
strong a hold a movement gains
upon our people which has
underlying il sentiment of jus
tice and right and which at the same
time promises better administration of
their government. The law embodying
this reform found its way to our
tatute book more from fear of the
popular sentiment existing in its favor
than from any love for the reform
itself on the part of the legislators.
and il has lived and grown and -four
ished in spite of the covert and opeu
hostility Of spoilsmen. and notwith-
standing the Querulous impra etica-
bility Of many selfconstituted guardi-
ans Beneath All the vagaries and
sublime theories which are attracted
to - there umderiies this reform a
sturdy c0n1mon-serse principle not
only suited TO this sphere. but whose
application our people are r9ore and
more recognizing to be absolutely
essential 10 the most successful opera
ton of their government. if not to its
Derpetuity. II seems to me to be en-
tireiy Inconsistent with the character
Of this reform. as We'll as with It's
best enforcement to ohlige the com
mission 10 rely for clerical assistance
upon clerks detailed from other de-
partmenis. There ought not to he
such a condition in any department
that clerks hired to do the work there
can be spared 10 hahitually work al
another place, and it does not accord
with 2 sensible view of civil service
reform that persons should be en-
Dloyed on the theory that their la bor
is necessary in one department when
lin point of fact their services are de-
voted To entirely different work In
another department I earnestly urge
that the clerks necessary to carry on
the work Of the commission be regu-
lariN put upon its roster and that the
system Of obliging the commissioners
to rely upon the services of clerks
belonging 10 other departments be dis
continued
This ought not to increase the ex-
pense "a the government. while it
would certainly be more consistent and
add greatly TO the efficiency Of the COM
mission Economy in public expendi-
tlre is a duty that cannot innocently
be neglected by those entrusted with
the control Of money drawn from the
people for public uses. 1t must be con-
feSsed thai our apparently endless re-
sources, the familiarity of our people
with the immense Accommodations of
wealth. elle growing sentiment among
them that the expenditure of money
should bc in some manner to their inn
mediate and personal advantage, the
indirect and almost stealthy manner
in which large portion Of our taxes
are eXarted. and a degenerated sense
Of official accountability have led to
growing extravaganza in governmental
appropriations.
1t ,Nhis time when depleted public
ti9afury confronts US. when many of
our Tneople are engaged i'm a hard strug-
gle )for the necessaries of life. and
when enforced economy is pressing
upof the great mass of our country
men, ] desire to urge with all the
earn estness al my command. that con-
Ere9sional legislation be so limited by
strfet economy as 10 exhibit an appre-
eiatpon Of the condition of the treasury
and sympathy with the strained cir
enn4stances Of our fellow citizens The
duly Of public economy Is also of i'm
menfe Importance in its intimate and
necefsa1 relation to the task now in