The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-27

Of the duties imposed upon it, and their
assumption by the legislative branch,
and vigorously attacked the SpOils SyS-
tenn. He said:
''Out of such conditions, grew and
f1Ourished a system "a system whose
balefuI effects upon good government
none might share in the appOintiVe Off
ces, whose credentials did not show
purchase right, by efficient party serv-
ice to some chief, who assumed Tor the
time, the power and authority of die
tator. Assistance at the conventions,
or at the polls, were considerations
which opened the gates of favor. The
payment of assessments demanded
with the holiness and brazen effrOnt-
cry of a highwayman, from those al
ready in office, was condition prece-
dent to a continuance in the public SER
vice. Competency, if united to oppo-
site political faith, was vigorously bar
red out. Offices and places unneeded,
were created and multiplied, to reward
those whose riOtOus clamOr must be
appeaSed. ImpOrtunate ineHclency, in
the real race for official recognition,
easily left merit at the post. Favored
unfitneSS invariably distanced worth.
Nor was ignorance a handicap to sue
cess. The public conscience had be-
come perverted; nor were the people
shocked, when partisan service, was the
only commentator for the successful
seeker of a public appointment. In the
Belknap Impeachment trial, Senator
HOar did not indulge in extraVaSant
flights of fancy when he said: I have
heard in the highest places, the shame
less doctrine avoWed, by men grown old
in office, that the true way by which
power should be gained in this repub-
lie, is to bride the people with the Of
fees created for their service; and the
true end for which it should be used
when gained, is the promotion of self
ish ambition, and the qualification of
personal revenge.
Nor was it, alone, that the revenues
of the nation had been prOstituted to
hos of
designing partiSanS. The system struck
its poisonous fangs into all with whom
it came in contact, and dragged them
down remOrSelessly to it's own cOrrup-
ton and revolving level.
Every incumbent, of an office, was
the victim Of the rapaciOuS and preda-
tory demands, of the ruling party, de-
sirous of a continuity of public favor.
No salary was too large, nor any sti-
pend too small to escape the ever Wig
liant and alert vision, of assessors of
the state and national committees.
These political QuartermaSters, adjust
ed, with the precision of tax gatherers,
the proportion, which must be devoted
to fractional purposes. Such assessments
suggested at first as fair, voluntary Of
feringS, to procure the success of q par
ty cause, were at last demanded, as
the price of continuance in office.
Among the clerks of the department a
reign of terror compelled them, to yield
of their salaries, according to a scale
fixed by political chiefs. And thus is
unveiled, the pitiable spectacle, of an
American citizen in the service of his
country, bound supinely and forced by
threats of imminent official demise, to
i yield his independence, as well as his wa
ges, to associations upon whose favor his
employment depended. Servility, thus
engendered, was not greater in the
feudal dependant, who did fealty to his
lord, by approaching ungirt, and with
head uncovered, and kneeling upon
both knees, and placing his hands to-
Sether between those Of his chief.
bound himself to the fortunes of the
latter, by humbly saying: I become
your man, from this day forward of
and unto you shall be true and faith
full and bear your faith, for the tene-
ments claim to hold of you"
Judge Thomson strongly commended
civil service reform.