New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-30
A CIVIL SERVICE DECISION.

The decision OF the Massachusetts Supreme
Court declaring unconstitutional the Veterans
Preference law, so called. which was passed In
1898 over the Governors veto. Will have the
effect to remove some popular misconceptions
as to the scope Of the Civil Service laws which
have been enacted during the last twenty years
BY other States as well as Massachusetts. The
Massachusetts Civil Service law was passed In
1884 1t had like all similar enactments. two
motives One was the publication II politics by
taking away the hope Of official reward an in
centiye to political activity. Commendable as
this was II was secondary to the higher motive,
which was to establish broadly and In perma-
neDca the principle that the business OF the State
does not differ essentially from the business OF
any OF It's citizens in It's need OF wise conduct
and careful managcment. 1t was to secure this.
TO apply to the administration OF the business
affairs OF the whole body OF citizens the simple
principles by which the individual citizen con.
ducts his own. that the law was enacted. 1t put
all citizens at once upon an equality before the
law In so far as relates TO employment In the
public service Fitness and capacity took the
place of partisan zeal as tests for appointment
and promotion. The first question concerning
an applicant for employment should be the
work. II there are several applicants for a
single place. the next most natural and busi-
nesslikc inquiry is, (Which one Of them can
do II best:" The enforcement Of these tests In
the examination of applicants for employment
may not be invariably successful In maintain
ing the highest attanable standards OF efficiency
and fidelity No system IS infallible But 1t
may at least be said Of this that no intelligent
a.. a a,ft md
in view, or deny that the line Of inquiry above
indicated Is essential to the dignity and efficiency
of the public service, while working no injustice
to any individual or class
The Massachusetts law in the Judgment Of
those who had observed It's operation had sue
ceedcd beyond the expectations Of It's authors
In promoting the efficiency OF the public SER
vice and elevating the standards Of official life
There was no complaint against any Of Its pro-
visions, nor any demand for It's repeal The
secret Of its benefcent and successful operation
clearly lay In the cathocity Of It's principle and
the universally Of its application. 1t rccog-
nzed neither party nor class, forbade favortism
and established the equality OF all citizens in
their claims to public employment 1t exempted
| no individual nor class from examination as to
their ability TO do the work they desired to be
| cmplOytu upon. n SlHSlc PACcpliJu WIS Hiuur
! in the direction Of class favoritsm. and that
| was one which, without violating the spirit or
| imparing the force Of the law. gave the prefer
cncc, other things being equal. to those who,
having once served the country In the time OF
its need. unqucstionaby have the highest claim
10 consideration from the State.
| Under the law. all applicants for employment
| In the public service were graded according TO
| their qualifications shown In the examination.
BY the exception made in favor of those who
| served during the late War; the soldier or sailor
took precedence Of all applicants in the same
| grade, by virtue Of his military or naval SER
| vice. This Is kind of fayoritism TO which no
good citizen can object. but which all patriots
must applaud rs just and proper. From a num-
Der Of applicants equally qualified the State Sc
lects that one whose fidelity and devotion have
already been put to the highest test But the
State demands none the less. fitness for the
| place. Having work to be done for pay, the
essential thing Is the work. not the emolument.
The aim Of TIE law was first of all to secure
efficiency and fidelity in the public service, and
second, to make an end Of the demorallzing and
degrading system under which Official positions