New-York tribune., 1897-02-06
GUS interest for the outcome or the experiment
of full-fedged Populism in Kansas.
"DTSprVSJNG WITH EXAMS"

While President elect Mck ncy has Deen ar
RANGING IN mt at the head Of the great patron
aee departmont of the Government rs "ecrc
tory of ,be Treasury q convinced ana aggrcs-
sIye Civil Service rcformcr, who viii carry ONT
the pledge of the Republican platform TO I'M
prove, but never degrade, the public service.
and who. according to the spoilsmen ~ "olic
..of those fellows who believe in Civil Service
promotions. from janitor all the way up 10
"Controller" some of the leaders of the RepuD-
ucan machine in this State are busily pursuing
an exactly contrary policy. Mr.. Mckinney Is
going TO strengthen the rule of the competitive
system In Washington and Mr.. Black is trying
to weaken II in Albany. And. curously enough
no men are more clamorOus in processing dcNo-
ton TO the incoming Administration ana the
principles of the party than those VINO are
striving with all their might to violate IN inc
State the pledges given by the party to the
Nation.
concurrent resolution for an an'i-CVii ser
vice reform amendment to the constitution
is being drafted by these machine leaders, as
we learn from THE SUM- which Is usually
we'll Informed on such subjects. and VIII proba-
bly, be introduced in the Legislature ny
Senator Ranes. The announcement Is made
under the headlines Amend the Cons'i'u-
.'ton? How's That for Way OF Dispensing
with Compulsory Competitive EXamsE This
amendment. we learn, is to do away with the
present constitutional provision adopted two
years ago by 10000 majority and, by making
competitive examinations discretionary, bring
back the good old days when there was poll
tics" in every office from scruD-woman 10 Su-
perlntendent of Public Works. On the whole,
we should think that was fine way or dlS-
pensng with exams" and should expect that
1t would meet with the enthusiastic favor or
the "boys." In fact IL is about the only way
10 get rid Of exams" for the boys have dis
covered that the courts indulge in the unplcas-
ant habit of deciding that the Constitution is
something even between friends, that It's words
mean what they say, and that they must be
obeyed. Senators and Assembiymcn and SUI
perintendents of Public Works and Excise Com
missioners Notwithstanding. If such an amend
ment can be carried through this Legislature
and that 10 be elected two years hence, ana
can secure the reversal AT the polls of the popu-
lar verdict of 10000 in the other direction, then
the spoilslnen can work their will in the State
Offices That "if." however, includes many con-
tngencies and involves overcoming obstacles
which place-hunters would never battle with
except in desperation.
to be taken what will be thought Of the party
in power If it fathers this job? The present
Constitution was drafted by a Republican
convention and adopted by Republican popu-
lar vote 1t accords with the repeated dcclara-
tons of Republican National and State plat
forms. 1t had the cordial support Of the Re
rublican Governor who was the candidate Of
the State organization for President. BY a
tl,r a.t
has made this policy its own. and appealed sue
cessfully to the people on the ground that the
Democracy was the party of spoils. Why,
then. should it 90 back on its own record!
Have the competitive examinations worked
badly? Has the public service suffered? Is
the work Of the offices perform ed less oil than
before the Constitution was adopted? Not at
all There has been no trouble about getting
fit ohice-holders. The work is as we'll done
and in many city and State departments better
done than ever before
Why then, the rage for amendment? Simply
because the place-brokers find themselves una
bic TO use public office TO reward political
servants and personal friends; because. after
trying in every way to beat the eXamina-
tons, they find that competition is "practica-
ble" almost everywhere, and that the public
service, instead Of suffering and giving them
an excuse for spoils appointments. improves
and makes the reform daily less subject to at
tack. If competition is allowed TO continue
long their business will be beyond hope of
resurrection. That is the reason, and the sole
reason, for dispensing with compulsory COM
petitve exams" II is easy TO see why Gruber
and Ranes and the rest want exams with
less Starch" but is it possible that a great
party which has stood in State and Nation for
the competitive principle should be brought TO
do the dirty work Of petty jobbers who hunger
to use Office for personal ends? That is some
thing for leaders TO think Of and for voters 10
think Of later on.