Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1898-02-25
WAKE FOREST LETTER.

Since the opening of the
Spring term twenty FIVE new
students have been added to the
college roll.
The college continues to grow.
The Board has recently set up
Chair of History and Political
Economy under Prof. E. w.
Sykes, which has enabled Prot.
Gorrell to add the Spanish I.an>
guage to his school of Modern
Languages.
Miss Margaret Bell, Of Curri>
tuck, and Miss May Wood, of
E. City, were present at the An
niversary exercises and spent a
short time on the Hill, to the
delight of their many friends.
This is the 63d celebration of
the literary societies Of Wake
Forest College. The interest
and success that characterized
the first Anniversary ever held
! has increased year by year until
this the Sixty>Third Anniver>
sary, which was equal if not SD
perior to any we have ever had.
Under the sweet and enchanting
music by Dulham's popular
band, Wingate Memorial Hall
! was crowded, when at 2:3o
O. clock, p. M. the president, Mr..
E. L. Womble, called the house
to order, and in few apt and
we'll chosen words, spoke of the
past record of the societies, and
their influence and usefulness in
college life. When he had sta
ted the manner of deciding the
question, he called on the Score
tary, Mr.. J. L. Jarvis, to read
the query,f for discussion. Should
all government appointments be
subject to Civil Service Regula
tons"
Mr.. Jackson Hamilton, from
En-. Society, was the first
speaker for the affirmative and
began by explaining the work
and object of Civil Service Reg
ulations. For places requl ing
sp cial knowledge and aptitude
for duty there are special exam
nations to ascertain those spec
ial qualifications, and then ap
pointment is made on probation
only. 1t is not the purpose OF a
Civil Service to educate its clti-
zens, but by encouraging educa-
ton, it elevates the character
and promotes efficiency of pub
lie service. He argued that the
Civil Service System regulated
the evils of the "spoils systehl,' y
which his opponents were
forced to uphold; that the offices
of the government belong to all
the people and should not be
filled according to the whims
and fancies Of political leaders
and political bosses; that the
Civil Service System ascertained
the knowledge, merit, fitness and
capability of the candidate fol
appointment by means Of exams
nations, Investigations, tests
and probations; that no one
should be appointed to any posi-
ton for which he is not able to
discharge the duties; that every
part of the country should have
an equal chance in the compete
ton for appointments which
could only be had through the
Civil Service System. Mr.. Ham
ilton is all able speaker, and he
united wit and argument in his
speech in a manner that charm
| eO the audience.
The next speaker was Mr..
Charles S. Burgess, from the
Phi. Society under Civil Service
regulations, training in theoret-
ical principles of education is
all that is gotten, while charac-
ter and patriotism ale almost en-
tirely eliminated. The practl
cal workings and tendencies of
Civil Service are contrary to the
spirit of our government. 1t
would exclude the masses from
government affairs, because on
ly the technically educated COLD
stand the examination. 1t prac
tlcalIy declares the peoples ina
billty to rule. It exacts rigid
responsibility of the executive,
without allowing him freedom
of action. It's tendency is to fill
offices with men out of harmony
With the administration. 1t
creates life tenures which tend
to build up great artificial arts
tocracy. 1t tends to official cor
ruption. Long tenure benumbs
mems moral sensibilities. The
logical result is, pension will
follow retirement from office.
Mr.. Burgess speech was logical
and full of keen satire and
flashes of wit.
The next speaker for the afr
native was Mr.. Walter Cohoon,
from the Phi. Society, who ably
contended that public office is a
public rust. Proficient service
of the government depends upon