The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-08
An Efficient Administrator.

An Efficient Administrator.
The prediction Of Senator Depew that
five years hence Theodore Roosevelt
will ride into the white house on q
tidal wave may or may not be real
tied. should it not be, the name OF
Roosevelt will nevertheless be recog-
nzed by every fair-mnded American
as d synonym for personal integrity,
patriotism aud courage and the public
career of this intrepid soldier and re-
former will in its main features and
especially in it's guiding principles be
for all time to come an inspiration to
American manhood
because of the undiminished popular
interest in this picturesque personality
we give room elsewhere to an appre-
ciative review of the first four months
of Roosevelts administration as COVER
nor of New York. This article speaks
for itself and is worthy of careful peru
sal. 1t perhaps exaggerates the fric-
ton between Roosevelt and the So
called New York state Republican
machine" or party organization. The
impression, prevalent among a GER
tain class of people, that political or
ganzations are necessarily rotten"
and necessarily hostile 10 the appear
ance of clean-Cut and inCOrruptible
men in public life. is more often err
roneous than accurate. Especially is
it inaccurate, we think, in regard to the
relations between men like Roosevelt
and Senator Platt. A class of news
papers has tried to paint Platt black
by limiting at quarrels between him
and the governor ascribed to the gov
ernor's refusal to take dishOnOrable or
ders. This kind of literature is credit
ed only by those who do not know
much about politics and the relations
existing between public men. Platt
himself has said that he greatly ad-
mres Roosevelt, because, unlike some
men he has known, Roosevelt is al
ways outspoken and sincere: his word
can be depended upon; one can al
ways know lust where to find him.
This characteristic of manliness is not
dspleasing to men like Platt, so-called
professional politicians. They respect
it even when it differs from them in
views of duty They can get along
with it far better than with the snake
in-thegrass type of artful schemer
which is many persons idea of what a
machine" politician is,
The great merit in Roosevelt is his
common sense, which is so uncommon
among professional reformers. An ex-
ample may be cited in his treatment
of the civil service problem. There is
in this country no firlner advocate of
civil service reform, and yet he does
not make the subject appear foolish
by loading it down with lot of nom
sense. Under his directions the civil
service Of New York state has been
practically recast, but the change has
been wholly with the purpose in view
of better fitting the public employees to
their respective places. Examinations
of no consequence have been aban-
doned and practical examinations bear
ing directly on the specific duties of
the office sought have been substitut-
ed. There was a time in New York
state, and not long ago when candi-
dates for deputy factory inspectors,
janitorships, etc, were asked ques-
tions like these:
l. If the Spanish ambassador should be
assaulted in the streets of Washington
what court would have jurisdiction to try
the case? Explain concerning the com.
position, election OF appointment and the
term of office of such court
2, Mention tive constitutional powers OF
congress.
8. Is a citizen of the United States nee.
essarily a citizen of any particular
state? Explain your answer.
4. Distinguish between murder anC
mansaughter; larceny and robbery. How
Is each punished?
g. In the purchase of real estate, what
precautionary steps should be taken?
s. Mention oIe way in which the con
stitution of New York may be amended
7. Explain the composition ana the du'
ties Of a grand jury.
s, What is necessary in order to i'm,
peach public officer In the state of New
York?
9. State three functions of govern,
ment and illustrate each in the govern
ment of country.
10. How are contested elections decided
in the case of legislative officers?
Here We're questions no more pertln
ent to the proper inspection of factorie
or the care OF public buildings in Nev
York state than to the government o
Kamchatka. Under Roosevelts direc
tion such questions as these have beel
reserved for college students and pro
fessional reformers, and an entirel
different kind asked, Recently a JAM
tor in a state building had to be ap
pointed under civil service rules, Thes