The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-11

rnE PUnLlo SERVICE

THE PUnLlC SERVICE.
BY civil service reform We mean tn,
abolition Of the spells eystem in politics
and the introduction in its place Of th'
merit system. In other words we meal
the abolition Of the essentially un-Amer-
lean, undemocratlo and unrepublicar
method Of giving appointments to public
office on the ground Of personal and
political favoritism. Instead Of THU
thoroughly vicious plan we advocate
giving these appointments upon the
basis Of merit only, and throwing oper
the chance Of serving the government
20 all people who possess the requisite
qualifications. Under the old system
there was genuine afistocracy o.
officeholders, who we're appointed be
cause they we're able TO secure the ia.
terest Of powerful political bosses. I'm
der the new system we abolish this Of
fee seeking, oflice-mongering, Office
holding caste, and put employment in
the public service on the same grade as
employment in any other department OF
American life Under the old system
no man who does not possess 6 great
deal Of influence, and often influence Of
a very vicious kind, has any chance Of
getting an appointment; under the new,
poor man without backing, but stand
ing squarely on his own merits aud
rights, has exactly the same chance that
anyone else has, no matter whether bis
competitors are able 10 command all
kinds OF personal and political influeno e
or not.
No argument which is at once honest
and intelligent has ever been adduced
against the merit system or in favor Of
the old spells methods. The new sys-
tenn makes its way slowly because it has
to face the interested opposition Of the
Immense mass Of people who, under
spoils methods, run our political ma
chimes and control the nominating con
ventions, TO which our legislators paw
such sincere homage. These men make
politics a bread and-butter business.
They seek public Office merely as the
easiest and best way Of earning their
living. They know perfectly well they
could not hold office on the strength OF
their own merits in competition with
other American citizens. They have 70
rely upon favor and influence and upon
being given undue and improper advan-
tages because Of their political work.
often because Of their political dirty
work. In consequence they are inter !
ested and violent opponents Of the civil /
service law, and by their persistent
clamor and Misrepresentation they often
mislead honest but slow minded or care I
less private citizens or course the large 1
body OF men who are Indifferent 10 their |
public duties, or who have a low ideal
and do not object 10 rascality, are natu- /
raj opponents of the now methods. On !
our side is ranged the great mass o. 1
honest and intelligent public opinion. /.
We have the support OF the citizens I
VINO do not wish Office for Themselves. f.
but who do wish 20 SEQ our politics
made purer and the government admin.
istered on "a clean. business basis. The
very fact that this support is disinter-
e5ted makes It difficult 90 rally effect
lively against the interests of tho Office
seeking, otiicehoIding, ofIice-mongering
classes. This 10 ia that makes tho head
way Of the reform slow. Nevertheless
the reform gains ground steadly. Year
by year, and admin strution by admins
tration, great progress IS made, and we
never lose what wo have fairly grasped
have now been five years 10 Wash
ington. J have read and latened tovory
many speeches BY senators end mem
bera OF the house against tho iaw.
have yet % sec ar hear asiuplo arvu-
ment advanced against tho Jaw worthy
OK serious rsfutatea. Without ,xosr-
ton every really ahlo man WHO rf..E.
against 10 does not 40 go becauso 0o ...-
lieves ia the arguments 4o advance brf
because the political ex.gsucies % ga,
moment, acting 90 "a rhetorical f.r.uer-
ament, and not being overcome l5 an,
sense Of fidelity o. duty and right. iu.
cite him 90 the action. Our nverrge on.
ponent takes refuge iu sheer u.4rer-e.
sentauon 20 the facts. on else d. r5or.
demagogie defamation. a fairly tvp.-
cal instance 81 the average c1ngrerr.rr-
al speech against the lgw aas furri4bo4
by the argument az very brilliant o-q-
Tor % the lower house, tho Hon. Uour.,e
Cochran, In She recent debate over lie
income tax. IN an effort 90 appeal toa
portion % the audience which dI not
seem 70 be Ia sympathy eith Lim Mr.
Cochran took a shot an tho civil eer,ica
law, with which thorest ~ Dis dIscourso
had nothing more GO do than with the
Law OF gravltation. lie announced HIM
self as opposed g. this law because u
tended 10 give ON advantage o. the rich
ns ngainst the poor man, iuasmuch as
the rich man could got The education
that would ogable him 70 pass the OK