The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-07-02

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the one half not disposed of goes to
his or her children. If there are no
children, all the community property
goes to the surviving husband or
wife.
! Both husband and wife can dis
pose OF all of their separate property
by will il they SO desire.
The Civil Service Reform bill en-
dorsed by the State Federation of
Women's Clubs failed to pass.
4. j. 4
THE MERIT SYSTEM
The Merit System comprises: First,
That plan Of appointment to public
Office which is based upon the merit
or fitness Of the applicant to perform
the duties OF the position applied for,
ascertained by open competitive ex-
aminations or tests; Second, that
method Of promotion in the public
service which is founded upon proved
efficiency and ability in the discharge
Of duty and service; Third, it includes
removals, which are based upon act
ual inability or inefiiciency to perform
the functions OF the position occu-
pied; and 1t is system In which APP
pointments, promotions and removals
are alike made without regard to po-
litical or partisan considerations.
The civil service Of the Nation, and
the several states, in marked contrast
with the rest Of the public service
(Which is either military or naval,
for many years failed to enjoy the
beneficent advantages Of such Merit
System. but instead thereof, there
prevailed system Of .favoritism in
which appointments, promotions and
removals were all made as rewards
for partisan service, or fidelity to the
fortunes of some political boss, and
without any special regard to fitness
for the duties to be performed.
By means of the Federal statute
known as the "Pendleton Bill" the
National Civil Service has largely
been brought under the operations Of
a carefully framed merit system;
similar laws have been enacted for
the states of Massachusetts and New
York.
Under the spoils system the head
of department instead of being free
to exercise his own judgment, is prac-
tically forced to select those who have
the most political influence, and to
pay but little if any regard to their
ability or fitness. Under the Merit
System the appointing officer is not
only enabled but obliged to select for
appointment or promotion those who
will give the public the best obtain
able service.
Under the Spells System each APP
makes more enemies than
friends. Under the Merit System no
unsuccessful candidate can complain
Of anything but his own deficiencies.
Under the Spells System the offices
are almost monopolized by men of
small capacity and few scruples, and
the most desirable class of employees
are unwilling to apply. Under the
Merit System the examinations are
open to every citizen, and the best are
eager to compete because their en-
ployment, retention and promotion
are made to depend solely upon their
merit and fitness, and because the
work is honorable, the pay is certain,
md the opportunities for advance
nent are many.
Under the Spells System the Offices
which the people pay for are con-
'erted into brides and rewards for the
sc of corrupt and demoralizing meth
IDS by INSCRIPTIONS men. Under the
Merit System the public offices can
'nly be secured or retained by super
or efficiency and proved integrity.
Z Under the Spells System elected Of
lcials must devote themselves to the
'eddling of offices and the division
II patronage. Under the Merit Sys-
EN- they can give their time and en-
rgies to the legislative or executive
luties for which they have been
hoosen and by which they can best
erve and secure the gratitude and
steem of their constituents.
By it the door is open for all upon D.
ne same terms. 1t is -Americah. Il is
democratic, it is Republican.
On the other hand no man can be
ppolnted under the Spells Sytem no
natter how intelligent, how fit. I'M
ess he has a political pull" This
leans the favor of some influential
olitician who assumes the right TO
uarter upon the public service his
dherents and supporters, and reward