The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-14

TIE publication n the -InteIiigercer
yesterday morning OF the news that plans
were on foot looking toward the abolish
rnen1 OF the civil service system. as pro-
viced Tor IN the city charter, provoked
widespread discussion throughout the city.
The discussion thus aroused viii undoubt-
ecly revive popular debate on the merits
and dement's Of the system so freely
argued when the charter commission was
in session. \ pOst-Intelngencer reporter
yesterday questioned a number OF men,
some OF whom are supporters of the sys-
tenn, while Others are opposed 10 il. Their
views are given below:
DR.. Hermon T. Titus; ''Mr. Noigt, ex-
Councilman Voigt, Is the head and front
OF a movement 10 abolish the merit sys-
TEN in our civil service. He is unwilling
TO give the names Of his associates How
evsr, they VIII be published, name and adj
dress. when they sign his petition. and the
people viii know then who they are that
are so anxious 10 get this merit system out
OF their way.
Mr.. yoigt has three objections to the
present system. This is No. I, IN hts OWN
words: The idea of requiring street la
borer 10 pass an examination in spelling
or geography or 10 make a man who hauls
wood or coal study up in the text books
to hold his job
Now. the only trouble about that OBJ
lection is. II is false. There is no such ex-
animation Of laborers. never was and
never Will be. We will charitabiy assume
its author did not know it was false. lie
simply does not know what he is talking
about. Here are the very words OF the
published rules (page 2S): No educational
test or qualification shall be required of
common laborers. Yet we shall hear that
mis- atement circulated on the streets and
repeated thousand times 10 win voters
signatures 10 the ps.ition
Objection No. is OF the same super
nuous order. He wants the mayor 10 have
power which he now has. viz. 10 APP
point and to dismiss subordinates. The
mayor has exactly that power under the
present charter with TWO just limitations:
Cd that his selection shall prove his supe-
rior fitness for the place, and (9 that the
officer removed shall have charges pre-
ferred against him with chance 70 defend
himself. In the case of the chief of POI
lice, the mayor may remove, without trial
OF any sort. He has absolute power over
a recalchrant chief.
Objection No. is unique, to-wit: The
system is too advanced for so young a
city. Really We are getting too good a
thing. 1t has merits. but we are not yet
ready f0r those merits. We are TOO young
The trouble is. not that We are too
young. but that Noigt a. Co. are too old,
behind the age, in the tail end OF the pro-
cession. Seattle has never yet counted
anything too good for her. San Fran
cisco has lately sent to US for instruction
on this very subject She is anxious to
catch up with us In the work of municipal
reform. and Will vote az her next cleo
ton to amend her charter so as 10 include
the merit system.
I'VE are greatly indebted to the able.
philosophical, non-partisan commission
hrlf rayyN nod Oh
van OF Pacific coast cities. We are equally
Indebted to the sincere and business-like
manner in which Commissioners Colnan
Blaine and Schram have administered
the new system so that it's enemies have
none but petty and ignorant criticisms to
offer against II.
Their real objection they do not dare
TO state openly. Until this system was
adopted a member of the council could
give a ward heeler a bit of paper TO the
street commissioner and It would get him
a JOB TO hang around In. That sort of
thing is over now. One iaborer stands tust
as good chance now as any other 10 get
Job. A ward politician can no longer get
himself elected with promises. The pub
lie offices are no longer at his command.
His influence and pull are gone. And
that is Just where the shoe pinches''
w. II. Middleton: Judging from the
best information have the system as ap-
piled in Seattle has not been a success"
Hon. Thomas Burke: az do not hesi-
tate for moment 10 say that the abol-
ishment Of the civil service system I'm
Seattle would be positive step back
ward. The plan and principle Of ap-
pointment and promotion on the basis
Of actual merit is in line with the most
enlightened sentiment of both Europe
and America. To condemn the entire
system because now and then worthy
man happens 10 be rejected because of
some technical defect in his education
would be surely A. mistake. If the rules
as they now exist are unjust at any
point they could easily be modified
do not wish to speak harshly concerning
any one who may be connected with the
movement 10 abolish the system nor do
wish TO question his motives; but I
cannot refrain from saying that believe
such movement Is extremely unwise
appeal TO any man who may think OF
signing one of the petitions presented TO
him 70 at least pause and consider the
matter until he has heard both sides OF
ii thoroughly discussed"
James NJ. Quilter. formerly denutv
United States marshal: II rather look on
the system as worked here as A farce.
and think IL should be abolished"
x-Iayer Byron Phelps: Il am in IA
vor OF the principle OF civil service from
top 10 bottom. No business. public or
private. can be successfully conducted on
any other line. No political party ard
no set Of men can afford 10 antagonIze
the idea i IS as wei adapted 10 ascertain
the fitness Of public employe as a bank
officer or any other business man. II
has been success in Seattle for the
short time II has been IN force No
doubt changes may he necessary in the
rules and mode OF application have
spent seventeen years in the public serv-
Ice and DO not theorize. Nothing is more
hurtful 10 political party I'm power than
patronage and the spells system hone
10 see the system nor only retained in
city AFFAIRS but extended 10 our county
and state government
Col r ;. Crockett: Il think the sys-
tenn has been a humbuE. both natl nal and !
local. Theoretically Il is a good thing. I
but SIS practical working amounts 10 /
nothing because its provisions are easily |
avoided"
Cot z p Edsen: "T think the civn /
service Is q good thing and should b i
That system Is the only way /
to secure good men for municipal officers /
IL there are deficiencies IN the rules such +
rs exse'ing technical requirements from +
minor Officers. they should be modified. +
as they could BE easily. 7 am heartily I
In favor ~ the system. speak from I
actual and careful observation during my 1
trip 70 Europe three years ago. where I /
found numerous examples % SIS efficient !
working. 20 say nothing Of oar own ma 4
.ional service and the many cities IN the /
United States thar have adopted the plan.