Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-28
Attacks Made by spoiIsmen.


by which the officials engaged in its admin,
istration are TO enjoy place and power ana
profit. In truth, these are but means by
which q great many people are assured
life. liberty and enjoyment.
If men conSregating together could asso-
ciate peacefully and harmoniously, without
thwarting the desires of another, govern,
ment would he simply an expensive and
costly superfiuity. 1t is only the preven-
ton of the encroachments of each member
of society upon the rights of another which
demands human law and human force be-
hind it to insure its observance and re-
spect. As all are interested in its proper
maintenance-as a means only to the end
mentioned-they have the right. collective
ly, to require that the best material only
should be used in the public service. Ships
might be made of pine but Britain became
mistress of the seas by her floating walls of
oak. OF two persons. of unequal parts m
entitled to the services of the superior, as
this rebounds to the common veal. But
on the other hand. II the opposite conten-
ton that government itself is the ultimate
end to be attained. and that its offices are
simply places created and maintained for
the sake of yielding employment to its cit
from public service would be variant from
right and justice, for each and all would
possess an equal right to official position.
Reform Awakening the Nations.
Like the life giving rays of the sun of
a new day. civil service reform is awaken
ing the nations and the islands of the
sea. Principalities and powers, thrilled
with fresh viSor, emerging from their night
of Generalization and degradation are
pressing on in the race towards the goal
of higher and better civilization. Even
municipalities. heretofore dominated and
enthralled by the worst men and the worst
principles, are reaching out after this
transforming. power. by which they may
hope for deliverance. Great Britain and
Switzerland, Victoria and New Zealand;
4" do o,,I Vnrl- OH, 1I
Illinois have each had their battles and
their victories; and to-day civil service re-
form, triumphant sits crowned and en-
throned among them all with the serpent
of spoils. covered with its slime of cor
ruption and degradation. and bereft of
fangs and venom, lying dead at her feet:
van of all progressive movements for the
betterment of mankind, sometimes halted
in the way by hostile forces, but never
turning backward in defeat, bearing her
gonfalon. bravely in the face Of danger
into the thickest of battle, sometimes
wounded, sometimes bleeding. but always
glorious. shall. at no distant day, cast
aside ali the polluting and detilins rags of
the habiliments of the spoils system by
which she is still invested and proudly aris-
ing. in all her radiant beauty and stately
ajesty, shall stand forth Il queen, i'm
macuate and Respondent. robed in the
pure and spotless garments of true civil
service REFORM
Judge Thomson's address provoked quite
a lively discussion. A motion was made to
indorse 1t and order several hundred copies
printed and sent to the members of con-
gress. John Martin and David Overnyer
thought 1t was very able pepar and were
anxious to have it printed, but they did
not want to go on record as indorsing 1t
to that part of it which claimed that Jack
son was the originator of the spoils sys-
tenn of dishing out Offices. They said that
Both said they We're in favor of civil serv-
ice. Judge Martin claimed that no lawyer
further that he did. Overmyer thought that
the civil service law should be changed so
as to fix period for employment. He did
not think that ofticehoding should become
hereditary in this country They talked
for about an Hour on the question. No one
seemed anxious to have the body take
everybody was anxious that it be published
and sent to Washington. A motion of that
kind was finally passed.
Judge Foster on Pardons.
In the paper prepared by Federal Judge
C. G. Foster on pardons, and read by At
torney General Boyle, several points were
discussed at length by the able. jurist. In
the first place he opposed the free use of
the present state pardon power in the
state. He claimed that board of pardons
should have no place in governmental al
fairs. The abuses as result of such
boards were vicious. The pardon boards
became the reservoir for all ex parte and
unauthorized hearsay evidence. Under tho
convict an innocent man. He approves the
system adopted by the federal government
in pardon eases; The application. is made
the attorney general, who refers it to the
district attorney. and the judge where the
Officials who tried the case do not make a
favorable report, then the attorney general
notifies the president, and the pardon is re-
all pardon applications to the attorney gen.
eraI. and he in turn TO the trial judge and
the county attorney.
Judge Foster says he favors hanging for
four crimes-murder, rape. train robbery
and treason. The quicker persons who COM
init these @ ransy are ro rd Gf the bet
the state should be placed on the same
footing in the criminal cases as the ac-
chance for new trial If he is acquitted
the state has no chance for a new trial.
He thinks the rule ought to work both
ways.
He also advances a novel idea concerning
the loss of property through criminal acts.
For instance. if criminal commits arson
he believes the man who loses the property
should he reimbursed by the state for the
loss and the perpetrator should be placed
at work and made to repay the state. He
lawyers and judges are responsible for that.
He admonishes young men who are enter
ing the practice of law to use nothing but
honorable tactics to save their clients from
prison.
Judge GrOsscup's Address.
Judge S. P. Grosscup. of Chicago, deliv-
cred an interesting address on Popular
Self-mastery-the Duty of Lawyers To-
wards Its Promotion" His address par
took of discussion of the present condi
tion of the people and the future outlook.
In the whole history of America" said
he, there has been no period when the
conditions Of the present and the prospects
now passing is awful. Parties have lost
the force of partisanshp. With less regret
than ever men swing loose firm party af
tiliation, and with greater love than ever
ally themselves to new political move
mentS. few years ago majority of
5000 was considered large: a 100000 ma
jority was considered phenomenal. Now
100000 majority in many states is looked
upon as meager. Voters cut loose from
their parties, not singly. as of old. but in
armies. The pendulum that marks politica!
reaches and with rapidity. There is no
longer clear line of political cleavage.
The generation We live in Is puzzled and
in doubt.
The great civil war had precipitated our
finances with disorder. and for thirty years
We have been engaged in attempting to
set them right. But all these matters are
now past or passing. The ground looks
clear for a new civic movement. From what
corner of the horizon it will rise: what
banners it will carry, who will captain it,
! know not But 1t will come. So inter-
esting a prospect breeds both the aarmist
and the optimist. The alarmist tells us
that everywhere the rich are becoming
richer and the poor poorer; that corpora
erty but also the power Of the country;
that political virtue and personal integ-
rity are retreatng before an advancing
pest of greed; that city councils, legsla-
lures. congresses. the courts; in fact. all
the repositories of power of government
are but shambles wherein are sold what
ever the seller has to give and the pur-
chaser is able TO pay for There are other
nj I'M clni hat