The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-16
TO GIVE IT
TO THEM.
Whether They Want 1t or Not
is the POpulist Plan.
Civil Service Act Likely to Pass
Special Session
Which Republicans Will Reap
the Advantage Of.
JOHN BREIDENTHAL
Is Quite in Earnest About This
Matter
And May Become the Father of
Civil Service in Kansas.

The probability that the special ses-
sion will take up the question OF civil
service in the state charitable 1nstltu-
tions is becoming stronger each day
as the time for the convening of the
session approaches. The Republicans
are claiming that the session was not
called in good faith, and that its prIn-
cipal purpose was to devise scheme
for hanging on to the offices. This fact
alone will cause a great many Populists
to work for the passage of a civil ser
vice law to go into effect after the Re
publicans have had an opportunity to
remove the Populists and appoint Re-
publicans in their places. Populists Will
DO this ION purpose to prove that the
Republicans claims are false.
A large number of those who are
familiar with the workings of the
asylums and other institutions under
the present system are radically IN
favor of change for the good of the
inmates. While it is a recognized fact
that some of the stories concerning the
management of the different institutions
by politicians, which come to light just
before each state election, are told mere
Iy for the sake of political effect, it is
also true that there are many abuses
in these schools and institutions which
mated from their management and
specialists employed to care for the un-
fortunate inmates.
Any attempt made to perpetuate the
present officers and employees in power
will be frowned down, according to the
statements of those who are pushing the
civil service proposition.
1T would not do at all to try to hang
on to these Offices said John W. Breid-
enthal today. THAT would defeat the
purpose of civil service as well as place
the party in a bad light before the peo-
pie There is no disposition to do any
thing of that kind so far as have been
able to ascertain. maintain that my
original proposition on this subject is
the proper one, both for the good of the
institutions themselves and for the well
fare of the Populist party. The thing
to do is to put the institutions under
civil service rules, but not make them
effective until July 1, which would give
the Republicans a chance to remove all
incompetents and supply their places
with persons from their own party. If
the Republicans should display the
same interest in the welfare of the in
mates of the institutions they will not
discharge such of the attendants and
teachers as are known to be competent
until others are found who are more
competent. If that rule were adhered
to the institutions would become noted
for their good management"
Mrs Diggs is also championing the
civil service proposition, put Sne VIII
make trouble if any attempt is made
to hang on to the offices.
Putting these institutions under civil
service is a duty we owe the public
she declared, but we should leave it to
the Republicans to make the first ap
pointments. Any attempt to retain the
present forces of the state institutions
would give it the appearance of trying
to take advantage of our opportunity
to hang on to a few petty jobs"
The question as to who will prepare
the civil service measure has not yet
been decided. 1t is possible that
number of propositions may be sub
caucus will choose between them. Clem
F'airchHd, of Kingman, is one of the
most energetic of those who are pushing
the civil service plan and he may formu-
late the measure.