The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-03-05
GRADUATING OFFICIALS.

One of the things which, probably as
much as any other, tends TO shatter pub
lie confidence in Government by parti-
sans is the growing disposition of Off
cials to treat the Government service
as mere stepping"stone to private oc-
cupation. Two notable instances, not to
mention many others, were presented in
the cases of Messrs. Fairchild and Car
Isle; and now comes the announcement
of the resignation of Senator Spooner
of Wisconsin, who is reported to be
leaving the Senate to become attorney
for Mr.. Hartman, the great railroad
king.
1t is not with view TO criticising
Mr.. Spooner individually that attention
is called to the matter, but only as an
expression of regret that the system
under which our public service is con"
Quoted would seem to be falling into a
condition of undignified personal util-
! ity. Public life is viewed as a means
of graduation into private finance, ap-
parently, Instead of the idea that pub
lie service should improve the fitness Of
the official to render still larger and
more efficient service to the people, it
is evident that public Office is regarded
as preliminary schooling for more lu-
crative private positions, To the pco-
pie there must come some discourage
meut under these circumstances. They
select man for high Office because
Of his ability to serve them, and they
make of him the repository of their es-
TEEN, their confidence and their affec-
ton. But when the test comes in the
shape of an advantageous offer which
will take the official out of the public
service and into that of the private in
dlvldual or corporation, IL is only too
sadly true that the public service is
usually the one to suffer by the with
drawal Of a capable servant. And the
greater the ability of a public man, it
seems, the more threatening is the dan
ger that the Government will be de.
prived of his wisdom and ability in its
own interests.
Mr. Spooner is very learned and
capable member of the Senate, and the
Nation will experience a distinct loss
III his withdrawal from that body. So
great man as he is must be accorded
every right of personal selection, but
the people VIII feel a double regret
over the two facts that the National
legislature Will be deprived of his dis
tinguisbed ability and that his capable
services are TO be transferred to one
Of
which the Government Is at this time
exertlng every effort to regulate by law.
Large fnanciers, in making such levy
upon the public service, are prone to
select such men of great attainment as
would be likely to oppose their interests
in the welfare of the public; and by this /
means does the present system work ,
aggravated injury.
1t is lamentable suspicion that a ,
man eminent in public service, and |
having great power to aid the people .
or to aid special intersts-if he have
the intention 10 enter into the employ
of these special interests at an early
datc-refrains in his public career from
antagoniZing them. One would not feel
justified in directing this criticism
against Senator Spooner, for he is be-
lieved to he too able and patriotic to
condescend to any abrogation of the
peoples rights; but it certainly must
make for the insecurity of measures in
behalf of the whole citizenship of the
Nation, when the large special interests
can make their call upon the strongest
men of the country. 1t awakens fear
that Senators, Judges, and cabinet off.
cials-who may be ambitious for large
financial gain-may be induced TO favor
special interests as against the common
interests, in order to attract the at
tention of masters of finance who. are
with the Government
a man who consents to serve the peo.
pie in public capacity, who is ambi.
Ilous TO gain good fame rather than
money, who looks to the people fer
vote OF continuing confidence and for !
heir esteem as his reward, is likely TO |
feel that he is entirely the servant of |
he people. And man who consents |
o hold public position, but who is
ambitious for finance and expects TO
inter the employ of large corporations
which may be seeking in some respects
% evade The law. is too likely to feel :
While yet in public office-that he is [
he servant of his forthcoming employ
rs.
While casting no reflection upon Sen,
tor Spooner as an individual, believing
hat the system rather than the man is
o blame, one cannot but feel that tbe