The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-25
CIVIL SERVICE IN PRACTICE.

CIVIL SERVICE IN PRACTICE
The return OF Republicans 70 power In
the nation ia accompanied by serious re-
sponsibiiitles. Mere possession Of that
power viii not avail the party beyond the
present term unless many OF the sgils
which have grown up under our govern
r1enf are eradicated. President Mckinley
seems to realize this. and the promises
made Ia his message are borne out BY his
course In the selection OF Federal officials
These may be summarized ia the purpose
70 appoint men whoss qualification for the
duties they are TO assume shah be the
chief consideration. Having filled the
vacancies the same high motive should
sctuate him. his cabinet and congress. to
the end that the interests OF the people
shall be best promoted.
when high officials realize that they will
BIZ held to a strlc; accountability for their
trust. and sabordinates become assured
that fidelity and competence are essential
81 order to keep their positions. but that
with these qualifications they need 10 fur
ther pull" the civil service system will
command the confidence of the people and
the Republican party viii hold the place to
which its principles entitle IL.
More than this: the example set VIII be
foliowed by corporate governments of
minor degree. and a better tone will per-
msafe the public service. This Is already
being manifested. II takes courage and
determination 20 resist the appeals and
the pressure Of those who take an active
part In politics for no other purpose than
TO secure positions whose equivalent in
private business they are unable to attain;
but with a healthy public sentiment slim
uiated to energetic support OF appointing
bodies the task can be accomplished. IL
must be done. II the Republican party
hopes to retain It's prestige.
A very notable instance of the better
policy is shown In Baltimore. where the
captains of police have been officially as
sured by the commissioners that they "can
rest easy In their positions 50 long as they
faithfully and satisfactorily perform the
responsible duties with which they are
charged" One of the members of the
commission took occasion 10 say. on wei
coming new member:
I'VE trust that you viii rise to the real
izatlon that when one Ia placed In author
icy under the laws OF our state or OF our
national government he ceases 10 be the
head of any political party and becomes
the servant OF the whole body polite.
Just administration of the law knows no
pargissnshlp. and there Is no other post
ton under our government which should
he administered more entirely free from
ali political bias thar that OF the law.
which your force represents. I DO not be-
lsve that either the members 81 the Re
publican party or those who abandoned
the Democratic ranks ever expected or
wished the police department 10 be made
partisan machine. and from wha. we know
OF you personally We feel that you viii
prevent II from becoming such"
Mere eloquent declarations wti not saf-
fee. however. The force Of public opn-
ION must Do exerted with unfagging deter
minatlon TO hold officials ap to that stand
nrd Of policy. aud tho responsible heads Of
svernment must feel they are 50
sgstainsd that they can afford to with
snd the enerosehments os partis0nship
aleh cIamors Tor reward without regard
exceptional merit.
w~le however. public officials are thus
cured in their positions. and should not
- teI~ved OF their virility as citizens and
voters, they should recognise the fast thar
ii is not always becoming 10 force them
selves eonspieuously lato the campaign OF
any candidate for ofiiec. particularly In
the department 10 which they belong.
Good Judgment is enc OF the essential
qualifications or public servant and SO
long as hs holds shat pSs.tioa he should
refrain from seeming 20 seek to tara hts
once into political machine BY tntrod &c
ing iaao the service too active espoasal Of
personal cause II thgs mistake Is made
n Il aRt 70 provoke rvprissl. ana "of-
fegslvs parslssnship" va become q men
ace to the system which has 80 much %
commend ~ both In thu interests OF the
capable ogsiceae.asF and OF ths Puolic seed.
FRANCE AND TWO ISLANDS