The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-22

d
under the free-for-an method. which re-
suited I'm that cry OF the Democrats,
turn the rascals OUT? The passage
In Col Johnson's letter which refers to
that feature of the campaign is very In
teresting. A few years ago the Demo-
Gratis got into power for the first time
in quarter OF century upon a repe-
tition Of the cry: THE books must be
examined; turn the rasca,s out" He
admits that /: was not because any
considerable number of the American
people believed that the books were
fraudulent or the officeholders rascals,
but they wanted change; the rasca,s
were turned out; and the books being
examined balanced to a cent.
We repeat that there are many de-
fects in the system. There are offices
which need not be brought under the
merit system. and others as to which
the course OF examination might be
better. But 1t Is absurd to say that
the departments as whole will be
manned by less competent men because
those seeking the offices are subjected
to an inquiry as to their fitness. We
have recently had an example Of that
in this district There was an examina-
ton OF candidates for the office Of tea
inspector. a position which calls for a
technical knowledge and more than
usual experience. VIII it be pretended
that better selection could have been
made without such an examination? It
does not always follow that a man will
make a better farmer on an Indian re-
serve because he Is Latin scholar.
but he should know the difference be-
tween merino and hydraulic ram. and
there have been. under the spoils sys-
tenn. men appointed TO positions for
which they were as untitled as farmer
who did not know a Greek root from
a tuher.
Commissioner Evans believes that
| the head OF a bureau is the best
qualified person to pass upon the eff
fleiency OF clerk. He ought to be:
but Mr.. Evans Is a mere neophyte In
practical politics Ii he does not know
that the great curse of the spoils sys-
TEN was that the head OF a bureau
usually had nothing to say about the
= 4
| hampered now by the inefficiency Of
! a clerk than he used To be under the
| orders OF his political boss. Now a
| clerk knows that If he does not do his
| duty he can be- removed for cause. but
| under the old system he feared nothing.
/ 60 long as he stood In with the
| boss"
| The great objection to the merit sys-
tenn is that II is likely to create an
| office-holding oligarchy. This can be
ohviated by the ten-year plan It is not
| desirable 10 have men In office so long
/ that they show that they feel they are
| Indispensable. 1t Is desirable to have
| men in office long enough to become
| familiar with the routine This may
! be accomplished by system Of pro-
motions, There should be no question
/ about the power of the head OF de-
| partment 10 remove for ineTiciencv.
and there is nothing under the law 10
| prevent IT. II Mr.. Evans has the co,,r-
/ age necessary 20 withstand the press
/ ure under the spoils system he should
| have the courage 10 report 10 the au-
| thoritles those hundred clerks of whose
! inefTiciency he speaks. Probably they
! are some Of the Democrats who got In
under the spells system and were kept
: in by Cieveiand's civil service orders
! No man should he permitted 10 retain
! his office who did rot obtain It by the
same means now required ~ cand.-
/ dates
! Those who dislike the present systen,
! had better direct their efforts towards
reforming the present bill The country
| WEI never permit q return - the sr,o!ss
/ system. x has taken the very sensible
/ stand tina, q business method which Is
/ successful IN every other Institution
| ana Ia every ether country cannot be a
/ failure fl this. II will continue -
I change those in o@lce whose duty Il ia
/ 20 formulate the changing wishes az
( the people. X VIII always insist TIA.
/ those who are charged with the re-
sponsjbllity of carrying cut the s0.s7,-
mating policy saail Is loyal &c 81: VIVA,
II wants fran its taa!tors aad in
sgee;oys ara clerks ara u;a8 carriers
and soldiers is that they shan +. c7,y1-
pesent. and for them Il Win provide that
they shall not BE removed oaiy fos the