Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-12-06
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The President Would Extend 1T to
New Branches Of the Government.


The merit system of making appoint-
ments is in its essence as democratic and
American as the common school system
itself. 1t simply means that in clerical
entirely nonpolitical all applicants should
have fair field and no favor, each stand
ing on his merits as he is able to show
them by practical test Written compet:-
tive examinations offer the only avail
able means in many cases for applying
this system. In other cases, as where
tration undoubtedly can be widely. ex-
where the written competitive examina-
ton cannot be applied and others where
but where under existing political condo
lions it is, though an imperfect means.
yet the best present means of getting
Wherever the conditions have permitted
the application of the merit system in it's
fullest and widest sense the gain to the
yards and postal service illustrate prob
ably better than any other branches of
the government the great gain in econ
enforcement Of this principle
I recommend the passage of law
which will extend the classified service to
enable the president thus to extend it.
In my judgment all laws providing for
the temporary employment of clerks
should hereafter contain q provision that
law.
Applied to the Colonies.
It is important to have this system OBJ
tain at home, but it is even more impor-
sar 10 it t o IN our sho M
be filled in the Philippines or Porto Rico
with any regard to the mans partisan
to the political, social or personal iT1iu-
ence which he may have at his command.
In short, heed should be paid to abso-
acter and CAPACITY and the needs eMn Of fn the
service.
The administration of these islands
should be as wholly free from the sus-
istration of the army and navy. All that
We ask from the public servant in the
Philippines or Porto Rico is that he re-
Meet honor on his country by the way in
which he makes that country's rule q
benefit to the peoples who have come un-
der 1t. This is all that we should ask,
ana we cannot AFFORD to be content with
The merit system is simply one method
OF securing honest and efficient adminis-
long run the sole justification of any
type Of government lies in its proving it,
self both honest and efficient.
The Consular Service.
The consular service is now organized
1856. which is entirely inadequate to exist
Ing conditions. The interest shown by so
many commercial bodies throughout tho
country In the reorganization of the serv-
Ice Is heartily commended to your atten-
ton. Several bills providing for q new
consular service have in recent years
been submitted to the congress. They are
based upon the just principle that ap-
p01ntments to the service should be made
only after q practical test of. the applf-
cant's fitness: that promotions should be
governed by trustworthiness, adapta bility
and zeal in the performance of duty. and
that the tenure of Office should be unaf-
fected by partisan. considerations.
The guardianship and fostering of our
rapidly expanding foreign commerce, the
protection OF American citizens reserting
to foreign countries in lawful pursuit Of
their affairs and the maintenance of tho
dignity of the nation abroad combine to
make 1t essential that our consuls should
be men Of character. knowledge and ems
terprlse. It is true that the service is now
IN the main emcient, but standard OF
excellence cannot be permanently main
tained until the. principles set forth in the:
bills heretofore submitted to the congress
on this subject are enacted into law.
The Indian Problem.
In my Judgment the time has arrived
when we should definitely make up our
minds to recognize the Indian as an tndi-
vidual and not as member Of tribe.
The general allotment act is mighty
spulverixing engine to break up the tribal
mass 1t acts directly upon the family
and the individual. Under its provisions
some eoyooo Indians have already beOoun6