The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-12-22
Another Idol Shattered

1t is easily to be remembered by
those who are not deaf to the past of
the republican party leaders, that
when the civil service law was being
extended Mckinley was one of it's con-
sistent supporters. That was before
the trusts and spoilsmen had marked
him for their own. Then he was the
conscientious, Christian gentleman,
honestly striving to the end that the
people might be honestly and faith
fully served, and their servants might
feel SO secure in their positions that
they could give their best efforts to
their employers, and not, as under
the old system, feel compelled to de-
! vote a large share of their time to
keeping up political fences in order
that their places might be retained.
| When the corporations paid his debts
and took a mortgage on his manhood
all of this was changed, and now his
| only effort seems to be directed to the
end that he may not fall under the
SPlCoouAC OA LILO CfCuAbOtSe 0OOA
after he was inaugurated the pressure
to curtail the scope of civil service
protection became apparent, The JUS
tifcation was that Cleveland had filed
the places with democrats you,
mot incompetent men, but democrats.
The hungry horde of Office seekers de-
demanded places, and as the only way
to crafty them was to discharge some
who were protected by the civil SER
vice law, it was finally decided to cur
tail the scope of the law, and McKin-
ley was the instrument.
When it became apparent that the
president had not the manhood to
stand by his convictions, as evil
denced by his previous work in con-
gress, the Civil Service League, a
national organization, took the mat
ter up and sent a committee to him.
to protest in the name of the league.
He met them with oily words, creased
for the occasion, and told them
that while it was true that the de-
mands the public service could best
be served by abridging the work of
the law in some instances, they could
rely On him as friend of the law
and the people to see to it that the
operations Of the law should be ex-
tended in other directions much far
ther than it should be curtailed in the
direction contemplated. They retired
congratulating themselves that they
could make SO satisfactory report
to the people whom they represented
and the nation on the fact that the
chief ruler of the land was filled with
such high thoughts and resolves for
the betterment of governmental condi-
tions. Then they waited. Soon the
law was curtailed, a large number of
faithful servants discharged and their
places filled at the instance of the
spoilsmen. Still they waited, hugging
to themselves the delusion that the
great and good president of this free
aud enlightened people would redeem
his promise to them, and the final out
come would be an advancement o. the
cause most dear to their organization.
Another year rolled around and
found the presidents promise appar-
emily forgotten, buried in the oblivion
to which all broken promises are con-
signed. The league again assembled,
q committee was appointed to COM
municate with the president and de-
mand the fulfilment of his pledge.
This committee drafted letter setting
forth the status of the case and dis
patched it to the president, and waited.
The answer came. It was from the
presidents private secretary, couched
in the customary polite language.
| The committee was assured that their
commu uication had been received and
would, at the proper time. be brought
| to the president 5 attention, which is
hut polite way of saying that the
~ after is settled and will receive no
further consideration.
Another idol of the people who are
in favor of good and clean public
! service shattered, and not one repub-
licau paper in this broad land dare
lift up it's voice in protest, and why?
/ D.. ~ NJ l,o,,, 81 -