The morning times., 1897-02-11
DELAwARE's DANGER.

bEI<A w Aht.'c DANGEh,
As might have been expected, the news
no sooner reaches these shores that Mr..
BayaId, one of the proprietors Of the little
but old commonwealth OF Delaware, has
been doing some dining with royalty,
than fear and terror siezes upon the peo-
pie of Kent county Hitherto they have
suffered much in silence and without com
plant They have suspected all along.
from study of the Addicks and other epi-
sodes, that Delaware is not blessed with
such a Republican form Of government as
the Constitution contemplates and pretends
70 guarantee; but now they think they
know it, and call loudly upon the Congress
20 investigate and to act early, often and
quickly, before the return OF Thomas, who
might take advantage Of the current situa-
ton and forever fasten the chains OF mon
EUchy and aristocracy upon the quivering
limbs OF a crushed and PROSTATE people;
not numerous, indeed. but as numerously
scared as if they were.
1t is to be hoped that the national Iegis-
IatUre may find time to attend to this petit
ton. Senator Hills position on the matter
may be in doubt. There are so few street
car conductors in Delaware that Senator
Hear should not feel unfrendly. Probably
there are not any trust interests that would
operate to discourage justice. Without
opposition from Senator Hill, the petition
might secure action perhaps. We really
hope it may. Otherwise, when added to
the subversion Of popular government in
small senatorial and local affairs, the pros
pective home coming of Wales friend,
Thomas F., willappear to the panicstricken
people Of Delaware more terrible than an
army of Italians with bananas.
PROGRESS OF THE MERIT SYSTEM
The average man has curious delusions
about competitive examinations. These
examinations are not usual in the selection
Of employees in private business, and it
is an odd trait in human nature to choose
lo-lltA " btAltNE lAlG4tAlNuS II btIlS bIdH
to make inv eStigation for ones self. The
competitive system may not be the best
at all times for filling all positions, but
ST is infinitely better than the patronage
system, which is at present the only
alternative. The thirteenth report of the
United States Civil Service Commission,
of which an abstract is given elsewhere,
affords an opportunity to ascertain the
actual workings Of the merit system
In 1886, George William Curtis said:
''The measures which the practical prog
ress OF reform now requires are the rapid
and steady extension of the classified serv-
ice into every branch of the administra-
ton to which its principles properly apply,
the repeal of the four years law, and the
summary removal OF offenders who evade
or defy the letter or the spirit OF the
reform law or interfere in nominations or
elections" The commission shows prog
ress in the first and third or these sub
lects, and dwells on the second as the
next battle ground OF reform efforts In
1888 Mr Curtis said that he doubted if
any reform OF similar scope and impor-
tance has ever commended itself more
rapidly To public approval, and nothing
could more fully Justify confident and
patient reliance upon a persistent and
reasonable appeal TO public opinion than
the progress OF this movement The
progress in the establishment of the merit
system, and it's extension throughout the
public service, federal, State a nd municipal,
has continued to he unsurpassed by any
reform in history; and, while it has and
will continue to have its successes and re-
verses, each year shows steady gains, not
merely in the increased efficiency OF the
public service, but, what is much more
important, the awakening of public con-
science and the elevation of the moral tone
OF politics.
The report presents a striking showing
of demonstrated economy and efficiency
following the application of the r,erit sys-
tenn of appointment The argument that