The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-16
How II Can Be Honestly
Maintained.
The Merit System is the Only
Sure Way.
Alleged Flaws Pointed Out In the
Democratic Platform.


Service Reform league sent out last
night. through its secretary, George Nc
Aneny, the following address to the
voters OF the United States:
The National Civil Service Reform
league calls attention 10 the declaration
Of the Chicago convention and cnndi-
oates respecting civil service reform.
The platform opposes life tenure In the
pubic service, and 'favors fixed terms
OF ofiice, and such an administration or
the civil service laws as will afford equal
opportunities TO all citizens of ascer-
tained fitness" Mr.. Bryan. In his con-
Nention speech, thus explains this dec
laration: What we oppose in that
plank is the life tenure which is being
built up at Washington. which excludes
from participation In the benefits the
humber members of our society In
his letter of acceptance, he adds: IA
permanent office holding class Is not In
harmony with our Institutions. A fixed
term I'm appointive Offices except where
the federal constitution now provides
otherwise. would open the public service
10 large numbers OF citizens without i'm
pairing its efficiency"
The statement that Life tenure Ia
being built up at Washington " is wholly
false. All persons In the classified serv-
Ice are subject at all times 10 dismissal.
the only limitation OF law being that they
cannot be removed for refusal 10 render
political service, or 10 contribute 70 cam
paign funds.
'he policy OF Fixed terms OF Office"
demanded by both platform and candi-
date, would result in a clean sweep" OF
all public officers and employes-compe-
tent and inefficient. faithful and un-
faithful alike; 1t invo.~ es the periodical
displacement OF trained servants, the
substitution of those who are mex
FaA La nj ta haa fr1n in
OF business methods in the conduct OF
the government. Bitter experience has
shown the confusion and disorder at
tendant upon such changes,
Mr.. Bryan says Of the present system:
1t excludes from participation In the
benefits the humber members OF our
society" The present system excludes
no one who can prove, after competitive
trial, that he is best fitted for the duties
of the Office to which he aspires. Ii is
one OF the chief advantages OF the merit
system that the humber members of
society have equal opportunities with
the most influential In entering the pub
lie service, All enter the service on equal
terms, all must depend for advance
ment upon fidehty and efficiency. No
tavoritism nor political influence will
secure admission or promotion. No plan
could be more essentially democratic.
II is significant that OF those passing the
educated in the common schools and is
per cent In academies and business
schools and IL per cent had college educa-
tion. The greater number are candidates
Tor positions requiring scientific train
ing.
The platform and the declarations OF
Mr.. Bryan, In his letter. indicate that
there Is TO be complete partisan recon-
strucuon of the civil service, with the
restoration OF the spoils system. No new
legislation IS necessary TO accomplish
this result. The mere election of a presi-
dent who will not modify the civil serv-
ice rules in accordance with these prin-
ciples will restore the spoils system as
IL existed during the worst period of our
political history. with its evils greatly
multiplied. owing TO the growth and
complexity Of the government service.
The merit system has been slowly and
laboriously evolved out Of the necessl-
ties OF our public service, and the condi-
tions of our political life is added greatly
toby the economy and efficiency of admin
istrations. 1T has given a new incentive
10 praiseworthy ambition and effort. II
has opened a new career 10 industry and
capabilityi and more than all. il has re-
moved from our politics much OF the
temptatiop TO corruption and mercenary
conduct. Ihe subordinate places In the
government have become for the first
time positions OF public trust, instead or
TeNaTuS lot partisan service. The
merit system the product OF a genera
ton OF progress, will. II the principles Of
the Chicago platform be enforced. be
destroyed at a single blow; the business
OF the government will be thrown back
into chaos; the cost of It's maintenance
Will be increased by many millions, and
the spoils system one OF the greatest
perils which has menaced our govern
ment since the Civil War. will again
threaten the integerly and permanency
of our institutions
The platforms of both the Republican
and the National Democratic parties, as
well as the declaration of their candi-
dates, give explicit assurance that In the
event of the success of either, the exist
ing system will not only be maintained,
but extended wherever practicable.
The Majors Voice Trembled.
Canton. o.. oct 16.-Secretary Osborne
of the Republican national committee
witnessed ule demonstration in Canton
yesterday. He spoke most confidently of
the outlook While there were large
parties from New York and Pennsyl-
vunia, the most surprising event OF the
day was the informal call OF the working
people OF Canton. They came In thou
sands from the 125 factories. large and