The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-01
GO A STEP FURTHER.

From personal knowledge we are dis
posed to i.ccord to most Of the members
Of the legislature a sincerity of motive
IN their opposition to the movement
to incorporate on our state and mu-
nlcipal systems that reform which
makes appointment to minor place de-
pendent upon the merit Of the appli-
cant, his fitness for the work to be
1 done, rs well as his good character.
we teke 1t for granted that they have
been merely prejudiced against the re-
form by the sneers and misrepresenta-
| lions that have been it's accompani-
ment at every step Of its progress. We
do not believe that they have given the
work their personal investigation. or
advised with those officers under whom
1T is in operation. We apprehend that
they regard it as a new creation Of
these uneasy people who are perpet
ually trying to reform everything, with
scant knowledge Of either the things to
De reformed or the means of doing it.
1t will doubtless surprise such mem
bers to know that the principle of this
reform has been in effective operation
ever since the state was formed. and
that, so far from going backward he
cause of it's demonstrated inefficiency.
the movement has been and vet is
steadily in the direction of extension.
What is the motive of the proposed
civil service reform To ,,oolyo .,-va
that those who would serve the public
have the knowledge and other uualif-
cations needed. For whose benaftq
Certainly not wholly of those who
serve, nor even incidentally. but for
those who have served. What has the
state done from it's beginning as to
some who would serve the public. and
advanced with steady steps, including
! other classes, and what further prog
ress in the same direction is this pres
ent legislature asked to make? From
the beginning the state has required
that all who would serve the public in
the capacity of teachers should have
their capacity tested by an eXamina-
ton, supported by evidence Of good
moral character. What is that but the
principle of the reform applied to the
public schools? From the start the
state has demanded that those who
would serve the public as legal advis-
ers should show that they were learn
ed in the law, at first by an examina-
| ton in open court, by a bar commit
tee, and, advancing a step. now by
state board, with the additional re-
quirement of proof of good character
Where is the valid distinction between
the appointment of lawyers and that of
clerk in the state auditors office or
in that of register of deeds?
Then, still progressing in this method
of protecting the public, the state made
it imperative that any one wishing to
serve the public in matters pertaining
| to its health shold demonstrate his
/ capacity, and it went the length of TO-
noring certificates Of extra-state au-
thorities and colleges and made their
holders submit to an examination bv
| the state board. Cannot our honest
members see that this is but an anpli-
cation OF the merit system to public
service, differing not at all from that
proposed for civil employment? Time
was when any one could set up his Of
! flee and proceed to operate upon the
teeth Of people, but the state assumed
that even here the welfare Of the pub
| lie demanded that such should have
the requisite requirements to enable
them to do their work intelligently.
The state has gone further along this
| road and no man can be entrusted
| with the care of stationary engine