New-York tribune., 1907-11-08
POLITICIANS HARD HIT.
Continued from irst page.

work When you have fulfilled this duty. when
the American people has been taught TO want
such a service to put up With none other, then
the American people will have such service
for in our country the people always gets. soon
er or later and rather sooner than later, what
Il really wants
Governor Hughes. in the course OF his re-
marks said:
Fundamentally we need two things-frst,
untran,rnelled expression OF the people on the
choice OF their officers who administer and In
the choice of our legislators who make our
laws. The second thing we need is efficiency
the highest degree OF efficiency in the manage
ment OF the business OF the state"
The Governor then enlarged on three re-
quisites for the proper administration OF gov
ernment-capacity, disnterestedness and
countability. The Governor, after relating in a
humorous vein some OF his own experiences with
place hunters, went to speak Of his own rule
not to recommend any subordinates for appoint
ment but TO leave these 10 be appointed by the
head Of each department holding the head
strictly accountable for the proper discharge of
duty.
There's no clause in our constitution since
the great clause embodying fundamental
rights was written which is OF greater impor-
tance for the maintenance OF high standars OF
administration than that" said the Governor.
referring to the clause embodied in the state
constitution which declares that appointments
under the various civil divisions of the state
shall be according to merit and fitness so far
as practicable. to be determined by examina-
tions. and these examinations, far prac-
tcable to be competitive
Commenting on the Importance OF the clause,
the Governor added: Its full scope and mean
ing have not yet been fully determined by the
courts. but are destined TO be in time"
THE competitive system was said to be the
best yet devised. believe, In that system" add
ed Governor Hughes. Il believe in it thorough
ly. indorse IL and hope TO see it extended
throughout the states. of the Union"
While not attaching undue influence to ex-
animation papers, having once been teacher,
he submitted that the competitive system was
great step I'm advance. In closing he said that
one Of the first things Americans needed was
TO show the adequacy OF their existing institu-
tions and the full scope and effect of their ex-
listing laws by having men administer them as
they would administer a sacred trust in private
life.
I'VE want in office" said he. "men who are
not simply just over the line Of availability, but
the best men that can be obtained. sorted out
by the best means, held TO the highest standards
of efficiency and made 10 feel that it is the high
est honor to eerve the state, that II is a place
which calls for honorable application Just as
sacredly as the duty of going TO the front in de-
fence Of ones country in time OF war"
Following his speech the Governor went to
City Convention Hall to attend fair given for
charity. The Governors appearance at the fair
was due to tho persistence OF Miss Amelia Stew
enson. who got past the guard stationed to keep
callers away and induced the Governor TO at
tend the fair for charitys sake.
Practically all the Eastern States. n few
Southern States and almost no Western States
are represented at the leagues convention.
Richard Henry Dana, OF Boston. presided at
the opening session this afternoon. He
nounced that DIR. Daniel c. Gilman. the
tional president, would be unable to attend.
The delegates were welcomed by Mayor J. N.
Adam. The afternoon was taken up with
ports OF the associations comprising the league.
Philemon II. Luck, of Baltimore in submitting
a report for the Baltimore league, extended an
invitation to the delegates TO meet IN that city
next year
Among the reports read were; Chicago Egg
bert Robertson; Connecticut, Charles G. Morris;
Denver, Henry Van Week; Indiana, II. j. Mill
gan; Luzerne County, PENN W. ]. Trembath;
Boston. William w. Vaughan; New Jersey, E.
X SummerweIl: New York. Albert De Roode;
Pennsylvania. George Burnham. jr.: Massachu-
setts Auxiliary Miss Marion Nichols; New York
Auxiliary, Miss Emily Hutchinson; Wisconsin.
Commissioner Beul. The reports dealt with the
progress OF Civil Service reform, the struggle
to retain what had been obtained and TO secure
additional favorable legislation
The report for New York said. in part
With Mr. Hughes as Governor during the last
year no efficient assault on the merit system was
possible. 1t is gratifying to the association 10 Dc
able to report that the Governor refused 70 re-
appoint notorious collector OF political assess
nients, Henry H. Bender, fiscal Supervisor or
State Charities.
In New York City. Mayor Mcclellan in wagins
an Intellectual contest against the leader OF TAM
many Hail. used the exempt positions in the Civil
Service spols. The New York City Comnls-
sion has maintained absolutely independent at
titude, and has been doing considerable Work IN
strengthening the rules and increasing the
efficiency of the service.
An investigation of one of the borough presi-
dents offices disclosed gross inefieiency. II not
actual corruption arising almost entirely from the
appointments of heads OF bureaus for political
reasons The removal of the borough president by
the Governor has been asked for by the City Club
In July the association presented TO Mayor Nc
Clellan charges against the Commissioner of Parks
that he had appointed numerous persons for politt
reasons Unfortunately Commits Stonar