The St. Louis Republic., 1903-07-17
PLAIN POLICY OF RIGHT.

There Is nothing novel or startling in Mayor Wes's
declaration to municipal officials, elective and ap-
pontive, that subordinate appointments must be made
with strict regard for merit Nor does the decara-
ton denote departure from the method and practice
which have operated in the City Hall since the
form administration entered into control of municipal
business 1t is manifestly and undoubtedly reiteraon
of the policy of right which Mayor Wells has consci
entiously maintained every day and always
In the beginning the Mayor asserted that public
officials should he capable and trustworthy, and that
these qualities. being primarily essential. above
and beyond any other claims and any other prestige.
If a Democrat We're decidedly inferior TO Republl
can and unfit for the prospective position. whatever
it might be, he would prefer the Republican and
would not hesitate TO make his preference effective by
official This announcement the voters received
with qualification, positive that the administration
aimed at good government and would be dissatisfied
with any low grade of efficiency.
As far partisanship is aid to the realization of
good work, it is beneficial factor. As far it is
unstable and perniciously aggressive both its efforts
and its results detrimental the city, the citizens
and the party. Mayor Wells stated this philosophy
surance that the necessary qualifications of applicants
being equal members of his own party would be ac-
corded such favorS, in the way of appointments.
were due in recognition Of faithful party work
Many chiefs Of departments are appointed by the
Mayor. Most of the subordinate appointments
made by the ciefs. subject TO confirmation by the
Mayor. AS to the latter Mayor Wells acknowledged
the authority of department officials freely according
10 them the privilege of appointing whose merit
might be certainly established. He preferred that
good Democrats be chosen but he fancied good Re
pu.ican than bad Democrat. His platform
was: Good government frst party next He has lived
up 10 this platform and proposes persist in doing
Substantially, the Mayor repeats that each official
is responsible for the conduct of his department.
and that in order to regulate the authority To
spond with the responsibility. he will interposc i'm
pediment against officials freedom in selecting
subordnateS. The Mayor insists that merit alone will
be his guide. If the appointce is capable and trust
worthy, the Mayors confirmation will be with
held.
When IN official accepts position it is presum-
ably with the intention of achieving the best attain.
able results. He cannot meet with complete success
if he be compelled make appointments entirely in
accordance with the dictates of professional politi
clans He must have assistants in sympathy with
his plans and methods He must not be restrained
governed in making his selections
The point may be carried farther. If any official
should violate the Mayors policy and put politics
above merit the Mayor, the representative of the
taxpayers. must reject the appointments. An official
or political organization that traLscendS the rules
for good government is parasite TO city and party.
In the past Mayor Wells has been commended for
enforcing principle in the management of public buSi-
ness. He has been commended for accomplishing in
this respect. He is TO be commended for again cml-
phasiZing the policy of right. The standard of the
public service probably viii never be better than it
Is at present. in consequence of the Mayors stead
fastness and courage; the administration is superior
throughout and the standard must be preserved