The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-12

the candidate for It's service WHICH ms
the more general knowledge, is one.
which directly and practically encourages
intelligence and morality. Shall man be
appointed to office because he is good
political worker, because he stands N
with the political bosses or because he
has men of political influence and power
at his back, or shall he be appointed up
on consideration of his own knowledge,
fitness. merit and capability to dis
charge the duties of the office?
If then it he conceded that no one
should he appointed to any position for
which me is not qualified To discharge
the duties. it is obviously necessary to
ascertain these qualifications. This can
he done only Ivy investigation cXamina-
ton or probation.
Appointment according to Civil Ser
vice Regulations is simply return to
the original purposes of The constitution.
This is proved by the attitude OF the
first presidents and the founders of the
constitution.
Every part of the country should have
an equal chance in The competition for
appointments in the executive depart
monts of the national government. Civil
Service Regulation divides these posi-
lions among the different STATES accord
ing to their population. BY this means
we have equal rights not only to all citi-
zens. both north and south, but also
equal rights to all sections Of the nation.
If these who are removed from Of
fee at the end of the four years, are re-
moved for just causes. it is evident
that the system by which they are APP
pointed is unjust and inefficient. If
they are removed for unjust causes.
every one will admit that the system is
unjust and inefficient. Thus it is pro-
ven that either if they be removed for
just or unjust causes the system is cor
rupt and fallacious and should be sup
planted by a system which only APP
points upon consideration of knowledge
merit. fitness and capability to discharge
the duties of the office.
1t is claimed that the spoilS of office
are necessary to maintain party organ
i2ation. If this he true the supporters
of such a party must support it with the
hope of booty. Such supporters are
void of craftsmanship and patriotism
and are wanting in the essential princi-
pies that constitute a true American
citizen. If the spoils are necessary TO
hold party together and to rally the
people to the support of the party. you
will readIly admit that we need no such
parties.
Mr. Charles s. Burgess first speaker for
the negative GAINED, in a ve~v fnrc. Bile
manner thJt TIE most sangnine or al
lkvI Service reformers admit that it
would not be best to bring all govern
mental appointments under this system.
Under these regulations. training in
the theoretical principles OF education is
al that is gotten, while character end
patriotism are almost entirely eliInina-
ted.
1. The practical workings and tenden-
cles of Civil Service are contrary to the
spirit of our government
Ours is a representatives government.
The interests of the government and
the people are Identical; amy measure
by which they are alienated is rrinous.
l. Since the technically educated
only could stand the examination, the
masses would be really excluded from
governmental affairs Shut the door to
the political arena in the face of our
people, how can patriotic interest be
kept alive in their bosoms?
2. 1t practically declares the peoples
inability to rule. This government was
built on this assumption Strange that
it has taken this nation with all her
boosted knowledge and craftsmanship,
over century to discover this mistake.
Wealth and capitalized greed are the
agents at work behind the throne
3. 1t exacts rigid responsibility of the
executive without allowing him free
dom OF action. The president is held
responsible for the administration of the
executive functions of this governments:
vet by this he viii not be allowed to Sc
lect the men by whom the executive
machinery is operated.
t. It's tendency is to fill the civil Offices
with men out of harmony with the adj
ministratiOn. They antagonize all eff
forts for success. because their supreme
delight would be to see its failure. ItI
is claimed this does not follow because
Civil Service is non-partisan.
This is not really true, but suppose it
is, by law YOU compel men to change
witch every administration, thus making
out of them mere machines. This is I'M
constitutional. because every man il
guaranteed freedom of action and
speech.
4. This viii build great official aris-
tocracy. ii will fill all the appointivc
Offices and then hedge them in so as
TO secure them from removal
1t creates life tenure. The constitution
guarantees life tenure to none hut the
judiciary.
The French nation is an example of
this life tenure affair. The French
Revolution was caused by the oppression
of the aristocracy. Napoleon Ill. PresI-
dent of the Second French Republic.
secured complete control of France by
and through the life tenure civil SER
wants.
Rome created the Praetorian Guard.
as a permanent body and soon fell
victim to its power.
In England the tendency is toward life
tenure. In America "a man holds office
by the will of the people
III. 1t tends to official corruption. Long
tenure benumbs mans moral sensibili-
ties. Nine-tenths of all bank embezzle-
ments have been committed by officers
Of long standing. The is an example
of this infalible panacea. She has had
Civil Service for two thousand years
China's Civil Service is the most cor
rupt of any nation on the globe.
III. The logical result isa pension will