Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-02-27
SO SAY WE ALL.

subject OF civil service, by the wheel
ing Register, appears to be popular
by reason Of the great number Of
newspapers which have given it a
place in their editorial columns:
1.-THE Martinsburg Herald Rep.)
says that Congressman Dayton is OPP
posed to the existing civil service
law, and that the announcement Of
the fact has touched a responsive
chord throughout the State We
congratulate Congressman Dayton
and the Herald on their courage in H.
nally deciding to take an honest
stand on this question and we are
glad to hear that they have touched
responsive chord They should
know that that chord has been vibrat-
ing throughout the State and through
out the country for many years. The
civil service law. as it is at present,
is not at all in tune with popular SEN
timent, and the sooner we are rid of
it the better. =
Neither Mr. Dayton nor the Herald
are subjects for congratulation unless
it is that they have the nerve to ex-
press their honest convictions. We
do not believe that one man in ten in
this country honestly indorses the
present makeshift called the civil ser
vice law
1t is easy to understand how a
member of Congress may shield him
self behind that law and thus smother
the opportunities of his constituents,
and it is perfectly natural for the OBJ
sequious office holder to reverence it
as his Bible, because it is his source
of revenue, but how any honest Amer
lean who believes that "ail men are
created free and equal" can favor
any such relic of absolutism is beyond
our comprehension. 1t is contrary
to the genius of our institutions. 1t
is un-American, un-Democratic, I'M.
patriotic. 1t tends to build up an Of
fice-holding aristocracy of funkeys.
1t keeps in position, on salary, class
of men, many of whom haye not the
manliness to go to the polls and vote.
Those holding Office and those who
have no hope of holding office lose all
interest in government and allow de-
signing men to secure place and pow
er and the end will naturally be de-
cadence and ruin.
The principle of civil service is all
right. No man has any right to hold
position which he is not qualified to
fill. There should be practical and
thorough tests of fitness. The idea
of examining a maehinist as to his
ability as letter-writer, or of requir-
ing a printer to solve problems in
percentage is ridiculously absurd,
not that they should not know all
those things, but the fact is they do
not know them.
Another Objectionable feature is
life tenure of office whether efficient
or inefficient Had the Fathers de-
sired that they would have arranged
for it in the Constitution. They did
not do SO, but on the contrary provid-
ed very brief terms tor all except the
judiciary If the presidential term is
limited to four years, Senators to six
and Representative to two, why or
upon what theory are those under the
classified service to remain in Office
as long as they live and then be-
queath their holdings to their chill
dren and children S children for all
timer Why are those now in office
more competent than the men and
women whom Grover Cleveland dis
charged? The fewest number of them
were subjected to any test whatever.
Their positions are rewards for party
service. There are millions more Just
as competent. Therefore, the sooner
we are rid of such law the better.