New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-06

edge which win enable it By and BY to deal with
the millions OF acres 1t has already anu anu, WI hen
the Siaie Will sell timber 70 the lumbermen spruce
to the pup mi S woods open to the public
tecing the sources of water, growing ana yleIoins
this experment should not Be subject to the vicissi
tudes Of politics Il should be placed N I'M,
political change. The State should pay such REL 81.
plan. Reports should be made to the Governor
and the Legislature annually OF progress ana re-
should be paid to the State and the land siset
and part OF the forest preserve. at the expiration
OF a period named.
once self-sustaining for the trees ready to be
cut would produce immediate revenue. and such
benefits could be hardly overstated. and in this d.
reclon. as in many others. the wisdom OF New
tried field would be finally approved.
CIVIL SERVICE.
Tho law enacted last year known the Lexow
bill IS the best Civil Service law this State ever
had. II Is a distinct gain previous laws In
the direction which the best friends of the service
most desire. The Information Of the public upon
the subject OF Civil Service reform is more imper-
feet than that upon any other subject so generally
discussed Most men are FOR or against 1t With
reasons and Information slight that their opin-
tons OF little value. There is nothing In the
law. and there nothing In the old. 20 pre-
no restriction under either Places could also be
filled. regardless OF the law. II those employed 10
administer chose 10 nullfy The same opportunity
exists now. but In a less degree. Some who are
unfamiliar with the subject fear that. under the
presen; law injury may be done 70 the public ser
vice In New-York City Such fear has no basis. for
three reasons. First-A large number OF officers
appointed three years ago and whose places will
be filed again now, belong TO the class which has
never been controlled by any so-caled Civil Ser
vice law. Heads Of departments. deputies. secre-
taries. senographers and all others holding rea-
lions OF confidence peculiar responsibility have
always been exempted under every law. Second
Because Il is harder TO cheat the new law than
the DID, and. thlrd-Because a ma jority OF the en-
ployes OF New-York City the creations OF tho
same political forces that have just returned TO
power. and such employees have never been re-
moved. II certainly no fault OF the new law
that over fifteen thousand whom Tammany Hall
left In Office three years ago. ar the time OF her
ingorous departure. she finds still there on her
triumphant I mention this last crcum-
stance 70 place the credit where Il belongs, and
without protesting 10 see IN II any superiority or
the old Civil Service law. under which these ap-
pointments originally made. and to this day
unnterruptedly enjoyed.
better understanding OF the subject and OF the
laws and rules which attempt TO control IL would
reidjust the standing OF disputarts and place many
whose feelings now hostile In the attitude OF
friendship That abuses exist In the service Is true.
whether admitted not. The public gets less for
its money than individuals get for theirs The
office holding class while In theory the servant Of
the people enjoys the privilege which many other
servants do Of getting from their employers much
they have not earned The power OF this class IS
large and will not with its consent be decreased.
II should with the consent OF the public be en-
larged. The people will not be wise II they permit
It's influence TO extend where they control II
L-nr. I hay
favored indefinite tenure In office Such tenure
might result IN better service. but would quite as
likely result In worse While the service might not
be the best Il might still not be bad enough 10
Justify removal The one thing morally certain In
a fixed plan OF Indefinite continuance in office IS
that piace-hode-s would be beyond the peoples
reach. ! do not believe this would raise the eff
cheney Of The service. The knowledge in
pOye that his place can be taken from him is more
iikrly man any other influence 10 make his work
sI"h' mat his super.ors Will not wish to remove
him. His accomplishments are ms projection ms
IS proved in every department. OF me state where
competent men have retained their places under all
administrations for years. Ard while they protect
themselves the public is also protected by retaining
the right TO dismiss This right the public should
49, sbo,,ld ever b" created Such class would b..
every purpose Of goverilInent nke ms. me p.U
and should so far retain the management OF their
business as 10 keep whom they desire and discharse
elect help as men select theirs. regarding every
qualify which makes applicants desirable or the
these propositions seem to me PLAIN and correct;
II they are then that law is the best which comes
doTe better than the Lexow bill will do H. but the
Iexov bill is now doing and Will hereafter do better
than any law heretofore has done. Inc Cohstlu,,
lion Of the state requires that places In me Civil
service shall be bestowed according 10 merit ana
fitness 10 be determined IN conpeutNe Exam. enat,1,n@ :,
tons Under the old law and the rules carving II
mo effect merit and fitness Tor the Si eb e y
Judgment we're utterly inadequate Iney mace
Success or failure depend mainly upon me educa
ton papers n recent years. for entrance TO me
Saies employ show This to be true 0a Sat t Gs
character. habits. tact and endurance payed M.te
part in the result. The importance OF spcn atan ~
lies no disputes Their valve Is fqfh yhaS nG
an examination which embraces them. me ser.
servants OF individuals, and a system which does Tss
not discover such inferiorty is defective. Ire
Lex eHow a not IN any way diminished the educational
tests OF the old system. and was no, lsenoen ~ Nv
sbeg which should disclose and take INFO account
necessary qualincauons %hSh ,ne u5der the
oid rules was not diminished By the new The hrst
required at least 20 per cent o out OF Of ftv Every
thing required then Is required still and Il cand,
date falls in the examination lot ,o m. Qualities
which prove his fitness. There Is. thereiois no
chance Tor ncomRsen; 10 oe not nap
rrov"d: they nrs enlarged Many who could enter
the service under the old system "ouia IAN u"0e'
II fitness examination is required d. s so so srs
M. ~ know the precise qualifications required
tn would mean the person for whom the services
l'-s 20 ho rendored Furthermore, II exaInina-
w. ore conducted by different authorizes there
LII he less chance Of favoritlsm than u ootn are
ia xayrners the less chance OF colluslon for an
apree 10 defraud the la or II cannot De cone
mus go thst the head OF a department may DC
dishonest That is true but theT err Il, no, no ef
Hcfea in the same The criticism aimed az
nra rcaches both. The fear that this law VII
o., ,ork veil is founded upon the suspicion that
the appointing power may not be faithful but the
s.,ccess ~ tho system In any event must rely upon
~ 80 faifh either % the officer appointing or or
IN Fxemining Board. both. This means Only |
teTrity OF those who carry It on Al relations atoms |
-, y;,no1 confidence and against their failure |
ttsstorcR he,rayai there is safeguard except |
hl ctnrac,er OF men and the restraints % law
49, had Of department Is no more likely 70 |
~ shorf than n member Of a civil service com
Mission Both may have been appointed by the |