The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-28
moved to the vague and indefinite
future.
THEIR DISHONESTY EXPOSED.

THEIR DISHONESTY E&POSED.
If there were any exposure which
could possibly disturb the amiable
serenity of Mayor Doran or make an
impression upon his obtuseness and
ignorance, it would be the facts
brought out by an inquiry as to the
political complexion of the employees Of
the st. Paul water board. Political
circles in the city have been stirred for
months past by the assertion that pat
ronage at the disposal of this board
had been used for Democratic pur-
poses, and that this should not be toll
Grated by Republican administration.
Mayor Doran had set his heart for the
last year upon the organization OF this
department in the interests of the Re-
publican party. He made no secret of
his purpose or Of his disappointment
at its failure. In attempting to justify
himself feebly before an indignant pub
lie opinion, he and his organs alleged
as their excuse the improperly of per-
hitting host Of Democratic employees,
fixed upon the city water department
through series Of Democratic admin
-istrations, to hold their places now.
The only answer made at the time was
that men who had proved themselves
competent and faithful should not be
ousted from Office on account of their
political relations. 1t was held that,
If clerk or other subordinate official
had acquired knowledge and skill and
had proved himself a trusty man, he
was better for his place than an I'M
| tried and inexperienced appointee. 1t
was tacitly assumed throughout that
the facts implied in the premises were
true, and that the employees of the
water board were generally Demo-
cratic in their political affiliations.
The quiet acceptance of this assump-
ton on both sides is one Of the most
because it is proof positive Of the de-
claration of the members Of the water
board themselves that politics had
never entered into their calculations in
choosing their subordinates If it had
done so, the first obvious reply would
the water boards employees were not
| Democrats, but Republicans. The truth
is that neither the water board nor
anybody outside of the Republican or
Democratic party had ever inquired or
become acquainted with the political
faith of the men on the rolls. A po-
litical census of their opinions has
been taken since. as a matter of Curl
osity and record, and it appears that,
out Of forty-four employees on the
water board pay roll, there are seven
teen Democrats and twenty-seven Re
publicans.
This is the net result OF this terrible
system Of excluding a city department
from partisan management and of per-
hitting members, selected for their
business qualifications rather than for
their politics, to designate their own
employees. The whole Republican move
ment was intended to deprive the sew
enteen Democrats, whom Democratic
boards had accidentally admitted to
employment, from their places, and to
make the roll call Of the employees show
total of Republicans, "A, and Demo-
| Gratis, 0. 1t was a pleasing little fic-
ton that the mayor and one of his or
gans invented to cover their assault
upon the public service and the public
interest. 1t is fortunate that the ex-
posure and explosion followed the
failure rather than the succeSs Of thic
disingenuous and dishonest attempt to
partisanfze one of the most important
branches Of the public service