The Washington times., 1905-10-19
The New Executive Order.

mel of the departments will find 1t
difficult 10 accept the report that
the clerks are dismsyed over the
Presidents latest executive order.
The effect of the order is merely to
change the procedure when either
the President or the head of any
department encounters an instance
of insubordination or lapse of duty
so fragrant as TO require immediate
action. 1t does not grant anybody a
whit of new power and it does not
deprive the cleTk,of an ounce of pro-
lection. 1t has, In short, no other
effect than to enable the head of a
great business to exercise directly
one of the most indispensable. though
one Of the least used, discretions Of
his Office.
Perhaps the greatest danger before
the executive service is that IL will
become exclusively an institution of
rules and precedents. Well enough
in their way, rules and precedents
constantly threaten to become OBJ
s,-acles instead of helps. The ideal
for the departments is not a per-
sonnel secure in its position against
all interference. but that OF an or
ganization so pliable that 1t will
adapt itself instinctively to each new
problem and offer a full reward for
every new contribution of energy,
farsight. ingenuity. and directness.
This is, at any rate, the ideal devel-
oped by the whole history of Ameri-
can commerce and industry; and it
is entirely fair TO say that most of
the opposition to civil service is
based upon the belief-whether war
ranted or not-that the rules and
precedents of the executive depart
ments operate every day to prevent
the freedom of action, the adaptation
OF the service to new conditions, and
the steady infusion of new blood
which make the American nom
governmental institution Of today.
The clerks know this and believe
II. They desire. a reimbursement of
their employment according to the
standard of good pay for good work.
and nothing else to count-not poll
tics, or long service, or rules and
precedents, or red tape, or anything
else-as much as anyone outside the
departments can possibly desire II
In view of that fact. it is incredible
they would retain in the service any
clerk whose offenses were so fragrant
as to move the President or a mem
Der Of the Cabinet to dismiss him
summariiy.
One intelligent objection has been
urged against this order-and only
one. II is that before the Presidents
order the offending clerk had several
days in which to prepare a defense.
Well. was that worth while? The
head OF the department could wave
the defense aside without even read
ing II. If he chose. His right to dis
miss the clerk was just as absolute
before this order as it is now. and
that period TO make answer-with
the prospect Of counsel employed in
the clerks defense, a long hearing.
and endless bickering-not only did
not mean any extra protection for
the clerk, but threatened to destroy
the moral effect of every dismissal
however righteous it might be.
Furthermore, it Is indispensable
that the President and the members
OF his Cabinet be trusted. If they
are opposed TO the principle Of civil
service, a condition that has not even
been suggested, they will find a way
10 restore the spoiIs system in spite
of all the rules and regulations that
could be adopted. If they are not
opposed to that principle, if. in fact.
they are among its best friends. this
making direct of their old authority
to remove clerks who bring discredit
upon the Government need not alarm
any honest. faithful employe in any
apartment