The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-05-05
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Astoria. May 3,--(Edil0r Astorlan.)--
After fourteen years experience with
tho civil service reform system, the
American people are beginning 10 take
second tipouRht and hre wondering
whether or not tnings in that respecs
are Jugt as they should be- Up 10 the
present year thsfe has been very little
" amy question as 10 the policy Of the
civil service reform laws and rules, n
has been taken rDr granted that the
Change from what was known aa the
''spolla system" wos for the best inter.
est Of the government and that lts mer.
III outweighed hs defects. Inn sed, II
has bccn generally supposed that the
system has no defects Of consequence.
The very term "sp0llu system" has been
Sufilcicnt 10 silence aIl questions m 10
its merits.
Bui since the new administration has
g0ne into power. since oiiioe-sechers qre
beginning 10 speculate on their chances.
since officers with appoitiyc power
have tricd 10 favor their friends. large
number Of people have been brought
suddenly fpoe b face with the fant ,haa
a vast army of democratic adhcrents
have becn admitted 10 the public CRIB.
the dOorA fastened on abe inside by
the civii service law. and republican as
piIants 10 oifice soiut Ous ~ all poaNl.
bliiy OF appointment AMI the trek
was played 80 neatly that one can hard
ly believe his own sonnes.
The civil service reform law ieft in
once ~ tho present incumbents, but re-
quirrd all subsequent applicants 10 pan
an examination. and laid down the rule
that removals should b. made only for
cause thus putting a democratic force
of employees into life positions. regard
less OF political changes. II IL the boast
Of the upholders Of civil service reform (
that II ignores party affiliations. That
ls true ns 10 Subsequent appolni mrn,s.
but II - not true aH 10 those who were
In office when the law was passed. an
when ofiio' after Office was added u
the lIni Of those coming under the civil
service rules. II the spirit OF the law
had bc.n carried out. II II had been /
passed and executed with honesty Of
purpose. II rhe good " the government /
hal bccn the only consideration. every /.
incumbent. IN well ms every applicant.
would have been required 10 take the 4
hiss ability should determine But the +
law was never intended primarily tol
accomplish the object held up 10 the
world The primary object was 20 I'm
ofiicss with democratic Rdhercnts ana
thcn. by mcaas Of the civil service Ne. +
form law. prevent their being removed
by another administration. The law
has created class Of barnacieH grown
fasi, - the hull of the snip of state
and the people are beginning TO realize
1 In spite of the hlghroundtng title Of
civil acrvoe reform"
while q ls not desired 20 defend the
'aults of the spoiis system. yet, IN view
u the manner IN which the reform
system has becn foroed upon the coun
Try. II seems no more than right that
tho pcople demand either a return 10
tho apollA system or that all officers
holding over b. required TO pass an
the same as those who
were not IN office. This les not a plea
FOR oiiioc-s,ckerp. All that IL asked Is
fair play. The democratic admlnistra-
ton did not give that. and Il is the
duty OF the present administration u
scc THAI republicans be given the same
chance az the public crib that Others
nave.
Onice-seeking is a poor profession, hut
Il Offices Hro 90 be filed and aprcint-
mcnts are 10 be- made with respect
" merit and not In consequence Of
political affiliations then every person
should be- given n chance to compete.
Whom a man has lived to BE- twenty
ive years OF age he can quite reason
Ably hope 70 i've twenty-five years
.ongcr. With the offices filled with
iemocrats. assured Of Continuance IN OF.
ice during good behavior, the resi- o.
.he people can not hope for an even
ihance OF holding office in less than
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