New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-06
THE CFNSTS PROBLEN.

The new Director of the Census has before
him dangerous and difficult task. EX-Goy-
clnor Merriam Of Minnesota. who has just
been nominated TO that office ana confirmed
in The last hours If the session. is a man Of
reputation and ability. He will doubtless wish
ia uerform his duties 50 aS 20 benefit his cOun
try and bring honor 10 himself. But the Cen
Sus bill under which he is 10 act was 80 framed
hy Republican Senators and Representatives
i'll utter violation of their party pledges that
the Director can hardly avoid friction with poll
ticians if he IS going TO secure credit for giving
10 the country scientific and Trustworthy cen
sus.
BY refusing to put the Census Bureau under
the Civil Service rules Congress opened the
door wide to the spoilSmen. The Directors
task is TO close it, or see the value of his work
deteriorate ard public faith in him decay. This
was not fair burden to lay upon the head
Of great scientific enterprise II is handi-
can from the start But Mr. Merriam takes
office with full knowledge Of the situation. and
Is supposed to he prepared TO defend the eff
cheney Of his bureau from the attack of spoils
men. For his own sake and that of The Adj
mniStration he should valiantly do this. When
the next Presidential election comes around,
is in full swing and before the public. the OPP
position will not fail to make the most of the
refusal Of Republican Congress to keep The
distinct pledge Of the party platform 10 extend
fine civil Service law wherever practicable.
They will not fail to find fault with President
Mckinley for signing bill which violated
the civil Service reform principles laid down
in his letter Of acceptance. 1t will he easy TO
If f.ti-i
the census promptly in obedience 10 the CON
stitution left the President no choice hut 70
accept the law which the spoilsmcn sent him.
If the census in 1900 is controlled by the
Spoilsmcn the Administration will he blamed
for il by the people 30 less severely because
upiustly. Therefore, the only safe course is
to make sure from the starr that the census
work is efficiently done and gives no excuse
for scandal In that ease il will be possible by
pontine to results - break The force Of those
who will charge the party with being false tC
its pledges. They can say the bill was de-
fective. but the answer can be made that the
Administration is TO De Judged not by the word
Ing Of laws. but 10y the actual operations OF
Government The spols feature of the Census
law can he offset by a merit spirit in its en-
forcement But if the defects IN the law are
not corrected in the enforcement the Executive
and the legislative power will alike be hell
accountable for ineXcusable treason TO prom
ises and principles.
Mr.. Merriam, we believe. has sufficient an
rhorit, 10 overcome tho difficulties placed befor
Inn. provided he undertakes TO do so at the be
ginning and persists in dofyng the spoilsmer
He is not a trained Statistician. and he will b
wise 10 supplement his own executive abliue
by surrounding himself with experts who WI
not meddlc with politics He is the master q
his bureau. and not subject 10 the C!YIi S'rVic
Commission but he could do nothing ina
voull mere commend him TO public favor ina
to adopt lis system as his own. There Is II
reason why his examinations should not u" q
impartial and Of n high standard rs their'
He can Jet applicants for ccrkships compete
and select those who make the best sho"lhi
He can take lesson from good officials IN TN
STATE When Governor Black took the starch
or, OF our Ciyil Service law ahd gave once
, holders a chance to select The men me