Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-01-06
CHANGES IN PUBLIC OFFICE

The numerous changes inaugurate'
with the opening Of the new year II
the various county offices, suggest SOM
thoughts in regard 70 the system undel
which they have been effected. 1t is L
be expected and 1t Is probably right
that men elected to pubic Office should
have as their chief assistants, persons
who are in harmony with them in polt'
les as well as In policies TO be carried
out. Thus, when new officers are ohos.
en- by the people from a different party
than that OF their predecessors, depu.
ties and aids VINO will have to assist
in work that requires harmony Of sem
timent as we'll as unity Of action with
the chief, will be selected and thus
many Of the former subordInates will
have to step down and out.
But Is this necessary in mere clerical
positions, and in the case Of individ-
uals whose work has been in every way
satisfactory, and In which they have
gained experience that renders them OF
more than common value TO the officers
who are responsible and also to the
public? Why should they be turned out
to make way for new hands. raw to
the business and often inferior TO the
incumbents? The reply will be: "Oh!
we have to pay some political debts
and reward active party workers" In
that we think there shows flaw In
the system. We believe II Is incorrect
in principle and Improbable in prac-
tice.
The theory that public service, In
volylng expenditures from the public
treasury, is to be offered as pay for
help given in the election Of party can
didntes, Is In our opinion faulty and
vicious. Men ought TO be chosen to
serve the people because OF their special
qualifications for the post to be filed.
and not simply as a reward for partisan
activity. This applies to elective off,
ces, and certainly to the Offices that
are appointive and which are not de-
pendent upon party votes.
II the practice that has become COM
mon In the public service were to pre-
YAH in commercial banking and busi-
mes life generally what rupturcs and
inconvenience and losses would en-
suel 1t has long been settled that in
such affairs. O. mans religion, phioso-
ply, social status or political views
should not figure az to his continued
employment when he is thoroughly
competent to perform the work as
signed to him. Indeed his experience,
fidelity and long acquaintance with his
duties render him more valuable, and
until age or other inhrmity disquallfes
him. efforts are made to retain instead
of shelve him, no matter what changes
may take place In the conduct OF the
company or firm that employs bin.
The public treasury In city, county
or state should not b. required
10 supply funds by way OF pay
to party workers for services,
sometimes OF a questionable char
acter in securing the election Of a
personal friend or party candidate.
Public money ought to be expended for
public purposes only. and the best tall
ent that can be obtained should be Sc
cured, with O view 20 real economy
and efficient service, which can be bet
ter secured by the work Of faithful, ex-
perienced and diigent hands, than by
new and untried laborers the chief rec
ommendation for whom is ante-election
activity In favor of the successful nom
inees.
There is too much personal and party
feeling INDUCED in for the general
good. The public welfare Is often
made subordinate when It ought to be
the paramount object. The wholesale
discharge OF employees in city and
county offices on a change Of party or
personal success. shows often that the
public interest counts for little, when
private purposes can be served at its
expense. II that is true as 10 the In
stallation Of new officers and their APP
polntees. how much more significant It
appears when It is exhibited in arbi-
trary actions on the part of retiring Of
ficials.
The course Of two OF the county COM
missioners, in taking advantage Of
power remaining in their hands az the
last moments Of their official life, 20
act in spite and personal antlpathy,
for the removal Of appointive officers
arbitrarily and without Investigation,
appears highly reprohensible and paltry.
II was simply amazing in It's audacity
ard open defiance OF propriety and fair
ness. The action Of the new board In
repairing the wrong as soon as posi-
bic was commendable and is endorsed
By public appreciation.
II is eminently proper, however. that
81 there has been any failure during the
Iast two years TO correctly report all
items Of expenditure in detail the wrong
should be remedied. II any such de-
se;lction existed, II ought to have been
objected to before. To leave Il to the
lest minutes Of the official term and TO
srring II for personal purposes. and re-
ftse TO permit an investigation before
action was taken, seems 10 be without
reason and without excuse.
We congratulate the new board OF
county commissioners in its continu-
aace OF the present occupant as chair