St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-29


municipal, its first step has been to give
control of every department, and each
detail of its administration, into the
keeping of its friends. 1t has never
recognized the binding force of any
civil service rules whatever. The
moment the ship of state passed under
its control every one Of It's enemies,
from the highest to the lowest, was
compelled to walk the plank. Such a
course may be condemned on high moral
grounds as debasement of public of
fee, but it cannot be denied that 'the
cohesive power of public plumber" is
potent in influencing public sentiment.
and has the approval of nearly all the
members of both political parties.
When the owner of large business
or industrial establishment finds that
the profits have been reduced and the
expenses increased by the incompe-
tency or dishonesty of his managers, he
will make change, and radical one,
III its management. He will not con-
sent to the retention in his employ of
men who have been guilty of dishon-
esty and malfeasance. and avOwedly
hostile to his interests. Ii he is wise. he
will turn the rascalS out. and give place
to those only whose loyalty to his inter-
ests is unquestioned. whose probity is
proved, and whose competency is as
Sured. He will not continue to trust
and reward the men who fought against
him while the negotiations for the
transfer of the business were in prog
ress, and are still declaring the new
head OF affairs incompetent to under
take and successfully conduct its af-
fairs. Such policy would be suicidal.
and would call for the ridicule of the
entire community and cause the friends
OF the new manager to graVely doubt
both his sanity and his business capac-
ity.
Yet this is precisely the course now
being pursued by the national admins
tration. 1t says i'll effect to its friends
and supporters: Your support during
the contest for control of this business
was very gratifying. but you must not
ask for reward. That would Detoken
the fact that you were not prompted
wholly by unseltiSh motives. Of course,
the men now in the employ of the es-
adjustment are doing all In their power
to destroy it. They are playing into the
hands of rival concerns, giving away
the business secrets to competitors for
trade, spending the money they receive
from us in salaries to impair our credit
and to destroy our influence in the conf
munlty; but the old administration
placed them III thair present places,
ana we will continue them as long as
they want to remain. After they get
tired of drawing their salaries and
throw up their jobs we will give yop,
fellows a chance. But this is a reform
administration, and we cannot displace
any of the old employees of our prede-
cesSors. Have patience. Some of them
may die and give you a chance.
The recent reverscs encountered by
the Democratic party in the state cleo
tionS were doubtless caused in large
measure by feeling of dissatisfaction
with such policy. All federal Office
holders in the various states appointed
by the Republican administration still
retained the influence and the salaries
of the positions they occupied. and felt
no fear of removal by reason of their
contributions of money or the exercise
of whatever influence they possessed
against the Democrats. Their activity
in the campaigns was fragrant and no.
torious; their partisanship was ex-
tremely obnoxious to every Democrat.
If not openly, they were covertIy con-
spring to overthrow the national adj
ministratlon and defiling the nest that
gave them shelter.
Is it not about time for change in
this policy? Is it not about time that
common sense took the seat now occu-
pied by all absurd and impracticable
theory? No man can faithfully serve
government with whose administrative
officers he is not in sympathy. He will
either be dishonest towards him self or
recreant to the party that suffers him to
remain in Office, and in either case is
not fit to be entrusted with any duties
or responsibilities whatever.