Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1897-12-10
CIVIL SERVICE RIGHT.
Advantages Pointed Out by
Secretary Long.
GOOD WORK INSTEAD OF POLITICS.
This Insures Mans Position-spurs
Employees TO Efficient Service Saves
Congressman From Being Badgered.
Most Foes Are Discharged Men.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10. - Secretary
Long of the navy, in conversation with
q reporter, has expressed the hope that
the present civil service system will
not be impaired. He said he had en-
tire sympathy with the congressman
who are brought directly in contact
with applicants for official position,
but believed that the president is right
and should be sustained. He was of
opinion thai the great body of the peo-
me have II aesire TO go back to the old
system -ceri3t nlv not If their atten-
ton is called 10 the merits of the case.
I With great difference for the opinion OF
others who differed from him the
views which he had before occupying
his present position, he had held with
regard to the benefits of the present
system, had been confirmed by his ex-
perience in the navy department. He
said
"Iarst-The government gets better
service. The evil service examinati ons
are much btttrr than represented but,
even at their worst, they result in fur
nishing most competent clerks who, in
stead of LOOKING TO political influence
for their retention in office, know that
that depends ON their merit and good
work. The power of removal which
| hangs over them all the time, and
which should never be impaired, and
which the heads of departments are
constantly invoking in cases of inefficl-
ency, keeps them Up 10 the mark.
Use ond The congressman them.
u l1 80 Il
ments, are relieved from what used to
be an incessant drive upon them. TAX
ing half their time. Under the old sys-
tenn, where they pleased one they made
enemies of ten. More and more, as the
new system becomes settled, will this
relief increase.
"Third-The applicant for office is
put on a true democratic and American
footing. The old system was absolutely
undemocrati and un-American. If
there is democratic or American prin-
ciple it is that every man shall have a
chance and win according to his merit.
What would be said if q schoolmarm
would put at the head of her class not
the best scholar. but the scholar whom
the school committeeman, who secured
her her place, directs? There would be
q storm i'll every American household.
And yet, under the old system, the con-
gresham, even if against his will, was
compelled to be czar in the matter of
appointments. The young American
citizen DESTROYS to enter the national
service could only do so-not by going
into competition with other candi-
dat es-but by securing the consent of a
political party authority. 1t was not
enough that he was one of the people,
but ne must be within the circle of the
influence of those to whom that auth
ity was under obligation"
The secretary added that his depart
ment was now, both in the clerical and
labor lines. entirely within the civil
service rules, except with regard to
about a dozen places - those being
| mainly persons employed off and on at
about 81 day. He was rather glad
that these were left under the old sys-
tenn, as they furnished an object lesson
of some Of its Objectionable features.
The secretary added that it is his
business to obey the law-not to make
it-and that he had never yet ceased to
recognize the wisdom and good sense
senting as it does the best sentiment of
the day that it will differ from the
president as to the improvement under
the new order of things.
His own political experience had been
enough to inform him that there are
many cases Of deserving men who. un-
der the old system, were discharged
from places which they had honorably
and faithfully filled, and who, smarting
under just grievance, feel like break
ing down the bars which have now been
put up to prevent just such injustice in
the future. But it may be a question,
said the secretary, whether they repre-
sent the opinion of the great body of
the people any more than one man on a
crowded street who lifts aloud his voice
and alone fills the public ear is the voice
of the rest of the great multitude who
walk its pavements.
A strong appeal to smash the civil
service is made TO congress by those
who are out, because they regard it as
the one obstacle to their getting in.
But if it were smashed and changes
made, the number of the unprovided
for would still be ten or more to one,
just as at present, and the disappoint-
ment would be so wide-reaching that
the dissatisfaction with members of
congress for changing the law for the
particular benefit of only few would
be greater, he added, than it is now for
letting it stand for the general benefit
of all.