New-York tribune., 1909-01-02
CHOICE IN APPOINTMENTS LIMITED.

The area Of choice in appointments is limited
in no slight degree by relations and obligations
apparently Incompatible with primary allegiance
10 the state" which too frequently incident
10 In" success Of able men in private business,
and also BY tn" small recuniary rewards which
paid for state service involving serious sac
rifces for many men of proved talent who are
without independent means. Eut whatever may
be said OF tn" advtsah!litv of providing iUster
compensation for state officers. q Is not ncces-
Sarr order To attain the ends Of government
to compete with the material rewards OF dis
tnguished careers in business or in professional
life.
OF far greater importance than the question
Of compensation is the proper recognition Of the
dignity OF public service This may be realized
to some degree through that self-restraint which
patriotic sentiment and the sense Of justice
should impose upon public critics which should
make them careful against pTejudgment and
SLOW to bring into disrepute those charged with
public respon sbiities- But the other hand
safety largely depends upon the freedom OF
criticism. and In the main the public officer,
though from time TO time uniustly accused, will
secure reasonable appreciation or his work Inc
American people are essentially fairminded and
in time X course Of unjust Censure hurts the
purveyor more than its subject.
What is most influential in securing due rec
ognition Of the dignity Of office is proper care
in the selection OF officers. SO far as we may
be able TO raise the standards Of administration
make easier the task of drawing to the pub
lie service men of high capacity and unselfish
motive. Conspicuous examples OF administra-
tive efficiency and the appropriate tributes won
from a grateful people. will 90 more to secIIr"
disinterested men Of talent for public office and
10 maintain high standards than either protests
/ against the abuse OF criticism or increase or
peCuniary rewards
The problems which suggested by these
reflections not peculiar to our state. With
variant features they appear n all states. We
rejoice in the notahl talent which has been
displayed in great departments. and a close
examination of the work Of the state will dis
1ln inst 50
than to deserve Censure. Tho business of m"
state for the most part is Vel conducted. and
our insistenCe upon higher efficiency suggests
no lack of appreciation of the hd"lity and ca
pacity which largely eXnmplified in state
administration. We do not expect that In TIL
representative activities of government shall
ever be free from the weaknesses inherent, in
our human nature Nor the other hand may
We set bounds progress. Our ideals must
ever rise above our conduct, and we can cor
rect our practices only as take counsel Of our
haet asnrat tions and seek with unremitting per-
sistenCe to attain the goals of free society.
Government is merely an organ Of the com
rnunitv basis Of peace and order
essential individual liberty and opportunity,
and also to maintain the collective rights WHICH
cannot otherwise be safegIarded. Our dependence
for progress is not chiefly upon governmental
agencies but upon the virtues of Sohriety. indus
trv thrift and moderation. upon the realization
Of oI,r mutual dependence and upon the gradual
e,lnr,Ia ntinE Of motives of mere seIf-inerest by
those inspired by the appeals of brotherhood
The Influences contributing to this development
multiply more rapidly and are more potent
]
groups notable in their variety but dominated
nv the same spirit, our citizens are devOting
themselves to the endeavors Of philanthropy
and 70 the work of education and moral enlight-
ennlent It is through these efforts, so largely
! hunlbIe and obscure. that the community is
,-iyifie6 by wholesome influences and that truth
and Justice extend their victories.
I enter upon my second term of office with a
keener sense of its responsibilities and of my
own limitations But | have intense desire
10 render loyal service to the people. congrdt-
uIate the other officers who to-day assume
offciaI privileges and I voice your friendly in
terest in wishing them the highest degree of
success in the discharge Of their new response
! bilities.
We NAV not forecast the eXigencies of the
,ey,t two wears: but may cherish the prin
,ro,,rce whether in public private life.
sVering to the best of his ability the. calls OF
duty We may seek TO emulate the SeXample
of those who Lave illumined our history with
their record nj faithful service. and az least We
NAV make somewhat easier the task of those