The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-17
A ROOSEVELT POLICY

Whether President Roosevelt will be
able to overturn the methods and ira
ditions for appointments in the army
remains to be seen. No army has ever
been free from the interference of
civilians. President Roosevelt's deter
mination to base the army officers
promotions and assignments for service
upon their previous records is a praise
worthy determination. but may be diff
ficult to carry out.
Certainly his own eminence in civil
life gave him his opportunity in Cuba
that really placed him where he is
today Still, it may be stated that af-
ter all it was Roosevelt's record in civil
life that gave every indication of his
possessing the proper military spirit
to make an excellent army officer. We
do not believe that a West Point ed
ucation gauges a mans ability entire
ly. There should be an opportunity
for men who are exceptionally qualified
to enter the army from civil life, and
rise from the ranks to the highest po-
sitions if their records justify it.
The President has announced that no
Vacancies will be filled until after Con-
gress meets as it is not deemed de-
sirable to make ad interim appoint
ments.
Then follows a most important and
interesting official declaration as fol-
lows:
THE secretary of war and the Pres
ident have had informal discussions on
army matters on several occasions and
it is understood the president has eX-
pressed himself most positively on the
use of political and social influences
by officers, for the purpose of obtain
ing changes of stations, leaves of abb
sence, notifications of orders, etc. OF
course, it is understood that officers
often deem it necessary to have atten-
ton called to their cases by political
friends for appointments, and espec-
tally cases of the young volunteer Of
ficers who recently have been appoint
ed. 1t is safe to say, however, that al
no period in the history of our gov
eminent has the matter of record beer
used to such good purpose as during
the present Organization Of the ar
my when the greatest possible care has
been taken in the selection of persons
for appointment in the re-organize6
army.
"The president has not hesitated Il
inform senators and others who have
applied to him that no officer will i'm
prove his chances by sending his
friends to annoy the president in his
behalf. On the contrary the effec1
which will be produced probably viii
be directly opposite to that which the
candidates hope for"
Several senators and Representatives
\.
the persons in whom they are interest
ed have not received the appointments
and stations applied for by them, bu
the administration as a whole Is evh
IDENTIFY of the opinion that the gooC
sense and Judgment of public men viii
lead them to the same conclusion as
that arrived at by the president ant
secretary of war, that Is, If a system
OF records be thoroughly established a
the war department showing the pro.
gressive work of officers from year t
year, 1t viii be far better for the
officers and men. as well as public Off
Gals, that such a register be made tn,
guide for selections, details. etc, rather
than influence.
The appeals of individuals to theil
congressman for their personal assis
tance in matters above enumerated ne
cessitates public men giving up a grea
deal Of their time in locating the propel
Office at which to apply for information
and the fling Of appeals. This takeI
them away from their legitimate dutiei
while congress is in session and also in
rerferes greatly with the public bust
ness OF the departments.
1T IS fully recognized by public off
cials that the proper men n the first
Instance TO establish the character Of
sn applicant for Office are the senators
and representatives from their OWE
home and IL is eminently just and pro-
per that their influence should be re-
spected ana they should be responsible
for the character Of the persons re-
commended for Office: but once IN the
public service, It IS only fair to the ad-
ministration that. not only army Off
GERS. but all other classes Of public
% of1ceholders should rely upon their
own merits and not upon the further
use Of political influence"