The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-11-09
A SUGGESTION.

A DIGESTION.
The Populist administration which is
about to take charge of the affairs Of
the state of Kansas for two years. now
has a chance to make a record for itself
and for it's party ana win the respect
and esteem of all good citizens.
If there is ever to be any such thing
as civil service reform in Kansas. some
party must begin it. and the Populists
by their professions in the past, have
given the people the right to expect
that they viii take the initiative in this
important innovation.
There should not be an entire sweep
ing out of place of all position holders
simply because they may be Repubn-
cans. and in the new appointments the
greatest care should be taken to name
capable. competent people of high
character and good reputation
1t is perhaps entirely proper and de-
sirable that administrative positions
should be filed by representatives Of
the party which becomes responsible for
the welfare and good conduct OF the
state, but that all clerks, stenographers.
engineers. cooks book-keepers, physic-
ians. janitors and occupants Of many
other subordinate positions who have
been faithful and efficient in the dis
charge of their duties should be re
moved to make place for political favor
ties or party workers, is not only alb
surd, but is a positive damage to the
public service
The perfection to which the United
States mail service has attained is the
wonder and admiration of the country.
Does anybody suppose it could have
reached its present condition If the en-
ployes Of the department had been
changed every time there has been a
change of administration There are
men in the railway mail service in kan
sas who have been there nearly 20
years.
The pressure exerted by place hunters
and their friends viii be great, and the
temptation to reward the party's faith
full workers viii be strong, but if those
having control of the state patronage
viii but rise above custom and conduct
the affairs of the state on a business
basis rather than on a partisan basis,
they will establish a precedent from
which no party in the future viii dare
to depart. When honest, capable and
efficient servants of the state are found
ret many stay, not because Of personal
or partisan considerations, but for the
good of the state, and that the service
charges of incompetency and inencien-
cy which nave been frequent in the
past.
1t is a good time to begin to establish
among public servants a feeling that
their positions depend on a faithful dis
charge of their duties rather than upon
party service. BY exerting his influence
in the direction of the foregoing sugges-
ton. Mr. Leedy can erect an enduring
monument to his administration.
Besides if this Populist administra-
ton cleans out" all the public and
charitable institutions of the state to
make room for a vast army of green
hands, as it did under Lewelling, and
as was done to a less extent under Nor
riIl it will itself be put out Of office at
the next election as dwellings admin
istration was and as Morrills has been
If Leedy's administration is to be simp-
ly a scramble for petty spoils. the State
Journal win do all ia its power to point
out and call attention to the folly and
scandal of such a course. The Journal
is for civil service reform among the
subordinate positions of the state, and
SO are the people.
They will turn the Leedy administra-
ton out at the end of two years if 1t
falls into the hands Of the Wild horde Of
Office grabbers.