Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-28

and multiplied, to reward those whose riot
Gus clamor must be appeased: Importunate
inetfieienSy in in the race for official Tscogni,,
unfitness invariably distanced worth. Nor
was ignorance a handicap to success. The
public conscience had become perverted:
nor We're the people shocked when partisan
service was the only commendation for the
successful seeker of public appointment.
Civil Service Commission.
The continued admonitions of successive
executives and the voice of the people
from the forum, loudly echoipg through
the halls of congress, at last, in January,
1883 crystallized the public will into a
statute. Its purpose was to reform the
abuses, growing out of the civil service.
Its provisions were, briefly. that civil
service commission of three members
should be appointed, but not more than
two of whom should belong to the same
party; thus, at the outset. eliminating as
much as might be, partisan bias and infu-
ence in its action.
The commission was to aid the president
in the preparation of suitable rules to
carry the law into effect. The rules We're
to provide for open, competitive eXamina-
tions of applicants for appointments, to
all classified offices. subject to certain lim-
tied exceptions; that the selections should
be according to the grade of the eYdmina-
tions; that the appointments should be ap-
portioned to the different states, territories
and the District of Columbia, according to
population; that there should be a period
of probation before an absolute appoint
ment; that no person in the service should
be under any obligation to contribute to
any political fund or render political serv-
ice and he should not be removed, or other
wise prejudiced, for refusing to do so: that
he should not use his official authority to
coerce political action: that no person hab-
itually using Intoxicating beverages to eX-
cess should be appointed tC or retained
in the public service; that not more than
TWO members of any one family should
be appointed TO the grades of service COW
cred by the act; that recommendations OF
senators or representatives. except as to
character or residence of the applicant,
should not be received: that no one in the
service of the government should. directly
or indirectly, solicit or receive for any po-
litical purpose, any assessment, Subscrip-
tion or contribution, from any person re-
ceiving any compensation. from moneys
derived from the national treasury; that
no person should. i'll certain Sovernmen
rooms or premises mentioned. solicit or
receive contributions, or anything of value
for any political purpose; that no officer or
employe should change the rank or COM
pensation of another officer or empoye for
failure to make, give or withhold any mon
ey or valuable thing. for any political pur-
pose: and that no officer or employe should
give or hand over TO another officer or
employe any money or valuable thing for
any political object
Besides. it was provided in another law
in gratitude TO the defenders of the ma
from the military or naval service. by
reason of disability incurred in the line of
duty, should be preferred in appointments
provided they are found to possess the
necessary business capacity.
Under these provisions. according to the
first report of the commission. there WERE
at the outset. less than fourteen hundred
positions. over which control was assumed
Increasing familiarity with its duties.
and greater liberality in the appropria-
tons by congress. hroadcned the field of
usefulness mi ,1.t
in 1885, the date of the last report to which
l have had access, the commission had in
creased its beneticent dominion to more
than 5000 offices, which were nearly one
half of the total number of places in the
civil service of the nation.
Good Effects of the Law.
The effects OF the law have been so sat
isfactory TO the people and to the major
ity of the public officials who control its
action that It is already suggested by the
commission that the rules be extended so
| as TO include all postoffices of the fourth
cIass. which reach the enormous number
CT 6i,000 Notwithstanding the recent as
saults on the reform system by, Sem
ator ingalls, says. "a few-not many-but
some-here and there-one," who are in
10 return TO condition. which the sup
porters and promoters of good government
may well congratulate the people is rap
| ioly passing away. the results of the law
are much more gratifying than the cor
| iupting methods of the past. No better
! commendation than the testimony of
! sworn officials. whose duty is to control
and direct the operation of the law and
which is united in its praise can, with rea-
| son, be sought or demanded.
A few days since, in the halls of congress
| virulent onslaught was made upon the
| cause of civil service reform. The leader
of this attack alleged the fact. which was
undoubtedly true, that removals. in a GER
| tain department, in the year 1894 were
made in large numbers, in some instances
! Tor no apparent cause. and in others with
absolute injustice. The fact asserted by the
assailant, and used by him as a sword is
! in reality = shield of protection to those
who uphold the laws utility. Such remov-
/ ais were only relics and "reminiscences of
/ the age. of spoiis. That department was
not at that time within the protecting care
| of the civil service law. When the civil
/ service commission takes control of that
| branch of the service. aided by the new
| rule recently made to hinder removals with