New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-21
ROOT ON SPOILS PLAN.
Says System of Political "RezcGds'
Is Bad for Country.

livered another address the Dodge course
at Yale tonight THE Duties of the Citizen as
a Member of a Political Party" He eulogized the
self-denal of Samuel j. Tiden who. he believed,
prevented civil war by putting his country's well
fare above that of party, and he urged every cit-
to follow the example Secretary Root paid a
high tribute TO the memory of Sam Martin. the
South American patriot.
The grating politician vigorously attacked.
and the example of Colonel Waring in throwing
off the professional politician in the New York
Street Cleaning Department and giving the
metropolis the best administration record in
that department mentioned. Incidentally Mr..
Root observed that New York City had again be-
come dsgracefully unclean." lie said IN part:
The man who engages in political work with the
primary idea Of getting Office may succeed IN get
far greater value than any ofice-the good opinion
of sef-governing communities ordinarily possess a
strangely unerring insight which detects the spirit
mere politician in the bad sense OF the term and
stgmatizes him Office seeker.
1t has always seemed to that Mr. Tilden pur-
sued very patriotic and commendable course
ton between him and Mr.. Hayes in 1876 The cleo
ton was very close and there vas no dono5 that
received effect Mr.. Tden would be declared elect
state returning boards in the South on account OF
alleged fraud and intimidation that had prevented
the casting of other votes which, II cast would
probably have caused a different result
what was Of far greater vaIuea title to the esteem
and gratitude Of all good citizens He probably ably,
service than by anything he could have done as
1t is not at all unnatural that among the men
who do the voluntary work resulting in the seiec-
there should be many who desire TO be appointed
Of the officers elected. Unfortunately, there has
grown up in the United States a practice OF con
the selection and election of candidates as con
Iro!ing reason Tor the appointment OF qSe p
dates after their election; and that practice has
resulted IN the prevalent understanding that there
is an implied agreement by every SUCCESSFUL candl
eSeTcn an his 8Ge 10 powers fSp @ a
pointment and employ ment OF his supporters The
activities OF the great states OF New York and
h early in IN, the last century tina
public service by esta6lishing a tenure of office
SsFs to aa h a ngi arTe in party
This cannot fail TO TesuIt in Door Service II Is
impossible TO have good service in any business.
vice itself is to determine whether IT shall
tinue. This has been very well illustrated in
frequenting the city of. New York in the past
That city formerly had street cleaning depart
nent managed by bipartisan police board com
posed Of two Democrats and two Republicans The
members OF the street cleaning force were ap-
pointed for the political committees OF the two par
IN the different assembly districts in the city
tickets he holders We're treated as entitIa9 ~ o
depended only on the favor of the party mana
upon the way in which they did their work
Tho evil became great that the Legislature at
Albany changed the law and provided for a super
intendent OF street cleaning; and about that time.
one OF the occasional revolts of the city occurring
a good business made Mayor. and he
appointed Colonel George Z. Warning, of Newport,
a distinguished sanitary engineer. superintendent
OF street cleaning. Colonel Warning threw over
I board the whole system established a rigid system
OF supervision, paid attention 70 so-caled politi-
cal claims. and abruptly dismissed every man who
was found TO DO lazy or inefficient. Within a few
months he had active and effective force; the
streets OF the city were swept clean and kept
lamented death and for q long time after until
| the system which he had inaugurated gradually
fell into dsuse and the old habit using the Street
! Cleaning Department opportunity for giving
/ employment on the grounds of party service was
resumed and the city has become again disgrace
fully unclean.
Such system is not essential TO effective party
organization. on the contrary IL tends TO prevent
effective party organization. 1t tends to keep out
/ OF the organization the men whose service would
! be most effective and 20 make difficult the
work OF the men who take part in the organization
with the real purpose OF making II accomplish
| legitimate results
| II results in elections which the voters OF the
ballots their real choice OF candidates their
! opinions upon. public questions.
The whole system Is pernlCiOus and discreditabls
| 10 American citizenship. Ia ought be done away
back 10 the sole performance OF their proper func-
' ton organizations for the promotion Of prn-
Ciyles and policies, free from the control OF
office trading combinations.
OF such evil furnishes reason why edI-
! Gated, Self-reSpectiuG Americans should take
part in the work OF the political parties with which
they vote. on the contrary. the existence of the
| evil presents manifest and urgent duty TO the
! conscience and patriotism OF every competent
|