The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-05
tremely doubtful if either can be induced

to accept a reappontment. =
1--WE ask a great deal of any citizen
when we require him to devote a consid
cradle share of his II ime to athe public
good for a. period of four years without
any financial compensation. and those
who consent to accept such positions are
at least entitled to our heartfelt thanks.
This board has charge of the Workhouse,
city hospital and the poor department,
and the operations of these several insti
tutions are rapidly increasing: with the
growth Of the ctty-hence. the Importance
Of improved and more business-like meth
eds in the conduct of each.
= aside from his right to participate in
the deliberations of -. the various boards
and committees above named. the mayor
has no voice in the transa ctions OF the
city's business, except by virtue of the
veto power, which should never be exer-.
cised cautiously, but within the proper
bounds and for the best interests Of the
city. ,.... p.
Civil Service.
1T is well known that we have never
had civil service in this city in any legal
sense, thought believe" an attempt was
made in that direction under the former
police commission, which was abolished
years ago.
Still the principle of the merit system
has long been recognized in the various
departments of the city government to
quite an extent. and in this way the peo-
Pile, to a limited degree, are now enjoy
ing the benefit of civil service by virtue Of
the unWritten law. Moreover, the people
themselves mphatically indorsed the prin-
ciple of non partfzan selections for local
offices at the recent election and their
will in this ma tier is entitled to profound
respect. And yet, as matter of law. we
are still under q, purely political system,
our SO called%cfvtl service is wholly volun-
tary and subject to the caprice and folly
of any newly elected executive who feels
like disregarding it.
/ 4::'Witness the wholesale dismissals that
took place two years ago in our police
department.. nearly one-half Of the entire
force being dropped at one time and with
out any apparent justification, except
partizan zeal, and their places being in
stantly filled without any due considera-
ton Of the fitness of the respective ap-
pointees and evidently as a reward for
personal or political services. Under such
circumstances some good men were doubt
less appointed and some bad ones re-
moved, but a fair presumption is that a
majority of those removed were really
efficient officers and that"a large proper
ton of those put in:Stheir' places are at
least subjects for careful investigation.
.y9"Ours ,patrol force is at. best small and
we should endeavor, as far practicable,
A~NSiN
| numbers. " " -"
AS am informed, Acting Mayor Jones'
during his short term, has made less than
| twenty changes in the personnel Of the
| police force SO it is probable that consid-
cradle wedding out can still be done to
| good effect. - ...... =.
Let it be remembered also. that we
are still under the political system and
| that until civil service law has been
in =
| not the law. will be held responsible for
/ the: efficiency of: the police department.
hence his undoubted right and duty tt
make any changes which, in. his opinion
shall tend to strengthen his administra-
ton without simpairing the effectiveness Of
| the force He cannot be expected to con.
tinue those in authority whose record fol
partizan zeal suggest that they NIGH
| have an interest in unjustly embarra SIS
! ing the administration for mere politica
effect. Each newly elected mayor ha!
! taken cognizance of this, fact and has
accordingly. felt free to protect himsel
! by making any changes, especially among
1 what may be termed, the executive staff
as should serve to relieve him from an.
such embarrassment. .E@s.s5:>.
/ However, under no circumstances
i would have been disposed to indulge il
any sweeping changes in the department
land, the remarkable an6l syer8sgr tifyin,
support which I received at the polls ha,
i strongly emphasized this determine ton.
I There is also an ever growing tend
4 ency to embarrass the department wit
| men that have served long and well am
have practically given their lives to tn
1 service, but who by reason of. advance
4 years are no longer able to give that vigi
1 liant and active attention which polio
duty requires. If we had proper civ
q service law. these men-could be- retired a
| part pay, to the evident improvement G
4 the service, whereas they are, at present
rendering Indifferent service at full pay.
In nearly all well governed cities civ
service has been in effect in the variou
departments for marry years Buffalo an
Milwaukee being among the striking ey
n amples. and in no instance could any {
7: these municipalities be induced; to retur
4 to the former system. +,s-T progressive ]
most matters Minneapoiss;is strangely be
/. hind the times in this important regard.
81 earnestly suggest that your honor
able body memorabilia the present legisla