The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-12-25
Result Of Civil Service Reform.

Corruption in politics is due IN q large
measure to the adoption of civil service re-
form. making life tenure in office. no mater
how disaereeabe this may he To The sarS oi
,Lo.a who adyocateSthe merit system ana
loudly preach purity in politics. And 10 inns
same civil service reform Is chafsea"'e I'LL
the expensive election and registration laws
which burden taxpayers and hinder the Tree
exercise of the elective franchise
In the times before the importation OF the
laws or Australia. Il penal colony "t Greal
Rr;t.;n. offices were bestowed for party zeal
and energy TO the rictorS belongs 'ht
snoiIs'' was an incentive to work Tor party
success. II was understood that pnhllc once
,,.,s IN he bestowed upon those who earhe"
them by spreading party doctrine ane mdnc-
ina, mon, f., vote for their nominees. The
rr;l,.s having been Withdrawn by the eSl"h-
Iisbment of life tenure in office. thousands %
urnrlr have lost interest IN elections. an"
thousands more have become Indifferent I"
nui,Iir affairs because they are denied even
rho slim chance of succeeding some decehSr"
nihrphpLer. Nv me t>ldbll>!ill'h' " 49, -
limit for entry into the public service.
I, i useless Ia say men must be actua'cd by
hi.l,cr motives than hope of reward: iha' ne
,,.,;n,, +, rrinciplc should be til" mansprih"
Of political action. such instances are rare.
Few men ri,t. to that theoretical u air' :"
ig,,rnugh un>rfiShnr>S i'll either hH>i'i">> "r
n.iir;,, All men are not Ollie" seekers
,h,uoh few decline them when '"nd'r"'' ""'
,.,,., ,.,,.,, are interested IN friends wh"m they
.,,,,lt liL, tn sec in public office and II" OF"
l;hrs to see the doors to public employment
closed.
In ,br place of Offices. or ''spolIS. a. inc
,,,r;sts nrpfer to call them, money Is suhsh-
,utod The money is raised largely from
cnrnos:ttian< who desire favorable IeglSla'l""
~. to enjoy imiauniv from moeStatlon. Inc
manufacturers. in return for high taxation
ly which they are given monopoly "t '"'
home market and the opportunity t" ieeee
consumers. contribute to the campaign luna
of The party favorin" protection. The nm
nort,.r>. tavoring fair taxation. ;" thai 'h"H
may enjoy Il part of the home market. con
rribrrr to the party whose policy Is most la
yor;lIn 10 their interests. State ami i"r'i
.},;,;ous ara affected by contributions "l all
SORT. of interests. and money i The r"mlr"li-
ing factor in politics.
Money. beyond legirmat" campaign eN-
n.ns,.. WAS scarcely known in elections pri"r
,,Is7u Now it i, the determining factor III
all imrorlant contests. and both parties cor
rrntiv USE 1t. In the campaign "t ISL" some
Of the heaviest contributors were m"h WI"
,,,,s,. IL rnrisiS in government. They affected
to believe their personal Interests were III
jeopardy from the passage "t trre coinage
irl, aud they bad no scruple> IN contributing
mnr., to bride voters They wrr" III reality
Welding up ii part of their ili.g"rlen gains. ny
,.,,utracriun of the currency. +" PROCEED Inc
balance.
Under the present status of affairs prihc'-
,lrs are thrown aside and elections ar" de
,.iIcL hy money in the interests ut those VII"
can contribute the most. And this Is going
ia be the condition until the offices ~" open
To the people aud something h">ides money
i Ia he competed for.