The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-07
For Reform In Politics.

resolutions adopted last year by the
Republicans of Pennsylvania IN state
convention assembled, upon motion oi
Senator Quay:
We decry the growing use OF money III
politics, and corporate control OF iesis'"-
,ures, municipal councils, political prih-
aries and elections, and favor the ehat'-
ment of legislation and the enforcement
of laws to correct such abuses. We ear"-
sstly insist upon a form of civil service
which will prevent the enslavement of
public officers and employees and the COM
peling of those appointed to preserve Tue
peace to coniine themselves to their du-
ties; which will insure absolute freedom
and fairness in bestowing state ana couH-
" and municipal contracts, anu Will
punish any form of favoritism IN grant
ing them: which will forbid the grant
of exclusive franchises to deal In pubic
necessities comforts, conveyances ana
sanitary requirements; and will insure 'he
recognition Of ability and fidelity in the.
public service, keeping service 10 inc
country ever foremost, when accompanied
by ability ana fitness We demand that
public Office shall be for public benciit
and lis term in subordinate positions shall
be- during good behavior. No public en-
poye or officer shall be permitted to in
pretense be assessed uOon his salary.
and all unnecessary positions and salaries
should he abolished, and expenditures ana
taxation reduced There should be uni
form valuation of property for public pur-
poses, corporations enjoying public priNi-
leges should pay for them, and schools
should be divorced from politics and kept
absolutely free from political influence
and control.
BY adopting these resolutions in Au-
gust, 1895. and by rcafiirming them this
year, the Republican party in this state
has committed itself to the entire pro-
gramme os reforms outlined in them
and must keep its faith. 1t does not
matter-at least it should not matter
in this connection whether the resolu-
tions were drafted in spirit of sin
cerity or not; they have ceased to be
individual property, they are now par
ty creed and doctrine, and party honor
demands that they be honestly. impair
TALLY and .effectually enforced.
Two measures have been drafted for
presentation to the legislature embOdy-
ing some OF the purposes Of the Quay
civil service OF the state, of the cities,
and of counties having more than $780,
600 population upon a merit basis has
been formally approved by the party
in state convention and also meets with
the favor of the Pennsylvania Civil
Service Reform association Its prOvi-
sions may be summarized as follows:
Section l provides that the governor,
with the consent of the senate, shall APP
point three salaried commissioners, who
shall constitute the civil service commis-
sion. Not more than two of said COM
missoners shall be members of the same
political party. and the term of one COM
missioner shall expire each year. Sec
tion provides that the commission shall
classify the public employees: and excepts
elective offices and some others from the
operation of the act. 1t also directs that
rules and regulations shall be prepared by
the commission subject to the appro-
val of the governor. Section provides
for open, competitive, practical eXamina-
tiQnS Of applicants. and requires appoint
ing officers to select In each case from the
three graded highest as the result of such
examinations. 1t also directs that when
ever practicable vacancies shall be filled by
promotions based upon merit, and that
when other qualifications are equal pref
erence shall be given to veterans. 1t fur
ther provides for certain noncompetitive
examinations, and regulates examinations
of laborers. Section directs that public
notice shall be given of rules and exam
nations. Sections I and provide for sal
aries for the examiners and other EN-
ployes of the commission. and for its being
furnished with offices, etc. Section 3 di-
reefs that complete records shall be kept
and be open to inspection. Section 10
gives to the commission the necessary
powers for supervising the enforcement
of the act Section l3 forbids solicitation
on behalf of applicants. Section IL forbids
absolute removals except for some cause,
which shall be put in writing, and shall
be neither political nor religious. Sections
II. Is and 10 prohibit political assessments
and the use of corrupt inuence. Section
~ provides penalties for violations of the
act
The other measure aims to prevent
corrupt practices at general and pri-
mary elections. to limit the expenses of
candidates and political committees
and to provide penalties and remedies
for its violation. 1t has evidently been
outlined with great care, for it fills
twelve printed pages and leaves no visi-
BILE loophole. 1t first defines as guilty
of bribery at public or primary cleo
tions-.
Every person who shall. directly or in
directly, by himself. or by anv other per-
son on his behalf. give. lend or agree 10
give or lend. or shall offer. promise or
promise to procure or endeavor to nro-
cure any money or valuable consideration
to or for any voter, or to or for any per-
other person. i'm order TO induce anv voter
TO vote or refrain from voting or shall do
any such act as aforesaid on account of
such voter having voted or refrained fron,
voting at any election. Also every narsnn
who shall, directly or indirectly. nv himself