New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-04
of the prosperity in their own industries or in |
vestments
GO SLOW.

Moderation should be the watchword Of all
Civil Service reformers just now. They have
won point after point in their battle with spols-
men with such unfailing regularity lately that
they are In danger Of being carried off their
feet and led to push their ideas TO an extreme
that may pro:Oke reaction. The merit system
has gained the confidence Of the public to such
an extent that its most bitter opponents only
dare to attack II Indirectly. and nothing would
serve them so we'll fer purposes of attack as Il
chance to point to extreme and impractlcablc
applications as logical and necessary results OF
the system Incorporated in the Constitution
They are making efforts now to minimize the
effect Of the constitutional requirement. but are
not likely to accomplish much unless they are
able to make II appear so tyrannical In It's work
lngs as to excuse a movement for nngat0ry
amendment.
The decision Of Justice Keogh in the Brook
lyn case has opened the way for extreme in
terpretations. in which the radical theorists are
freely indulgng much to the disturbance. not
OF the spoilsmen. but Of practical men con
nected with Civil Service commissions and
others in full sympathy with the reform. who
realize the difficulties Of administering the law
and the chances Of making 1t OdOus II unwisely
enforced, which increase as its scope is extend
ed Justice KeOgh may be, and we hope is.
right In saying that the question of practicable
ity Is one Of fact which may be judicaly de-
termned. and that an executive officer is not
the sole Judge without appeal whether or not he
Will have competitive examinations in his de-
partment We thoroughly believe that the spoils
system Is the greatest evil OF American politics,
and rejoice at every step which makes office
holding less an incentive to political activity.
We believe in making ii an object for public
servant to prepare himself for his work and do
it with single eye to duty. conscious that his
tenure Of Office is as secure as that of a bank or
railroad clerk. We wish to see the time when
no place shall be the instrument for paying POI
litical debts But we recognize that competitive
examinations is only one Method. the most ex
cellent. indeed. that we have for most purposes.
of accomplishing that object.
The radical interpreters Of Justice KcOgh's de-
cisiOn are prOclaiming that all the school teach
ers in city and country, who have hitherto been
specially exempt from competitive examna
tons. must be brought under the schedule, and
they are threatening TO invade every public
Office with the demand that the whole service
he turned upside down wherever they can show
that competitive examination is not absolutely
out of the question. Doubtless such examina-
lions are possible in many cases where they are
not wise and where the trainers Of the COnstitu-
ton never thought of having them. A country
school trustee no doubt can select a district
school teacher by that method. but In nine cases
out of ten the school would be better taught If
out of half a dozen applicants. all having proper
teachers certificates. be selected the one who
seemed to have the personal qualities best
suited 10 the particular school. Any attempt to
enforce examinations in such case would in
vOlve so great a revolution In our whole school
as TO create almost universal pro-
test. The people VINO desire to conquer the
spOilsmen will he wise not to invite such a con- |
test Moreover, as at present organized, our |
commissions are not prepared to undertake |
great additions to their work. The politicians
give them inadequate support now. and would |
be only too happy TO see their abors doubled |
that their mistakes might be increased. The |
Constitution confers a great boon by making |
competition the rule in the State. But no ready
made system will fit all cases. and the attempt |
TO make 1t is sure TO discredit the system 1t |
will be great deal better for the reformers to |
hold fast TO what has been gained and correct |
the weaknesses now attacked by their enemy. |
than 10 try by strained interpretations Of the |
law to extend their power too fast. 1t is not |
good politics to put conservative well wishers |
into opposition.