The record-union., 1897-02-14
Is MIR. GODkIN RIGHT?

Mr.. Godkin in his recent essay or
Democratic Tendencies which is re-
ceiving so much critical attention just
now because of its warnings and its deer
and patriotic philosophy. says that the
really alarming feature in the growth OF
our democracy is that it does not seem
TO make adequate provision for the Gov
ernment of this new world. That is tc
say, he thinks its chief function is re-
garded as the filing of offices.
To find the right man for the place is
always the function of the ruler. We
are self-rulers, hence that function de-
wolves upon US. Of course that PROPOSE
tion by the distinguished editor will
permit of no dissenting opinion. But
DOVE find the right men for the right
places? He answers by the assertion
that we oftener fail than succeed. But
why? He makes it understood that, as
he views the matter, the reason is be-
purpose of our seeking. We prefer to get
the man who reflects party opinion ir-
respective of intellectual, moral and
general competency to discharge the
duty Of place.
Is he not correct in this estimate? We
think that very few will question the
sOundness of his charge What then is
the remedy? Raise the standard of fit
ness and educate ourselves up to the
profound conviction that the perpetuity
of our institutions depends more upon
competency of administration and hon
esty of purpose than upon partisan
fealty and service. Make duty the first
OF all objects along with fitness. Blot
out the idea that place is ever a reward
for partisanism, that it is ever made a
spoil except at the heavy cost of strain
upon the principle of government, a
strain that win sometime be irresistible
and bring our fabric to ruin.
That is the direction of thought in
duced by the essay, and it impresses it
self deeply upon US as absolute and in
disputable truth.
It is lamentable but true, as Mr.. God
Kin bluntly puts it. that if We take
groups of men as we meet them, who are
discussing public officials. in seven
cases out of ten the conversation relates
TO real or suspected malfeasance in Of
flee. the official doing of things that
should not have been done, the neglect
of things that duty doing commands
should be performed.
Another thing to which he invites at
tention and thought. is the declaration
that we must shake off the tradition OF
the old regime that because a man is
elevated TO place he therefore is SUI
perior in some way to the people with
whom he comes in contact In other
words. we take it that Mr.. Godkir
wishes us to break away from the idea
that there is any such thing as confer
ing qualification by the laying on of po-
litical hands
A remedy for very much Of the evi
that men recognize in our system when
they talk of rake dowrs," place as q
reward" the power of "the push" the
support of ''the boys the division OF
''spoils. and the parceling out of pat
ronage," is to be overcome and nullifieG
by bringing our people up TO the leye
of realizing and declaring that govern
ment must be administered upon the
principle that reigns in business
namely. secure the best talent available
give chief places to men who have dem
onstrated capacity to succeed in the
world. In this way we viii be able tC
accord respect to station where it is its
due. and its honest need.
In the matter of the lower offices he
thinks he sees a decided and most hope
full tendency to return to old methods
and require fitness and integrity to be
the prerequisites: but in the higher
elective offices this principle or method
has not yet obtained; on the contrary
he holds. there Is a growth Of the ten
dency to discredit such qualifications as
education and special experience, ten