The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-28
MERIT VERSUS POLITICAL PULL

By no means least among the adj
vantages of the commission plan OF
city government over the aldermanic
system is the fact that it substitutes
personal merit for political pull in Sc
curing and holding positions as city
employees. 1t protects the city, for the
reason that men fitted for the several
positions are secured, and 1t protects
the employees for they cannot be dis
charged at the option Of some dis
gruntled higher official, but only for
cause. such as Incompetence or neg
lect of duty. The Clinton Herald in
thoughtful article on this phase Of the
commission plan well says:
s1This feature not only applies to the
mayor and councilmen, who are elect
ed by the people, but it applies as we'll
to practically every man or woman
who may be in the employ of the mu-
nicipality With political debts to pay
we have all too often Witnessed the
appointment to some of the minor Of
fees Of men absolutely unfit for the
duties assigned to them, men unable
to perform the duties, resulting in
the wasting of the peoples money.
and making 1t impossible to get a
dollar of value for every dollar ex-
pended. BY the application of civil
service rules 70 the appointment OF
employees, thus securing men particu
larry fitted for the duties they are to
perform, all these leaks are stopped
and instead Of the city's money being
wasted, the greatest possible returns
arc secured for the money expended.
1T is through the application o
business methods in every depart
ment OF the city, the securing OF mel
particularly fitted for the work as
siened them that mckes it possible
for municipalities to pay the large
salaries, salaries commensurate i
every way to the duties performed
and at the same time snoW q savlh
over the present methods. Both De
Moines and Cedar Rapids during tn
first wear OF operation under the con
mission plan demonstrated that
was possible to pay the larger sa
aries and at the same time condut
the city with less money than form
erly. Not only this but both citie
accomplished more than ever ha
been accomplished before; kept tt
streets and alleys in better conditio.
and carried out projects that requi
ed the expenditure of money, thi
had been found impossible in II
mast. 1t was the application OF bus
ness methods, the substitution
merit for political pull that enabls
these cities to make such showing
"It is the present system that is
fault. 1t does net fix responsibility,
it does not provide proper compens
ton for the work that is to be don
IT requires no man to do more tn;
he feels inclined to do; 1t permits
litical pull to dominate In appoir
ments; it is unbusinesslike IN all
its ramifications, and makes 1t i
possible to secure the full worth
the peoples money. There is not
business enterprise in this or a
other city, unless backed by unlim
ed capital. that would exist six mont
If the game slip-shod methods prevs
ed as prevail in the government of Q
municipalities under the old syste
1t Is the application of those new
business methods to municipal affa
that makes it possible to pay good S
aries and then conduct affairs me
economically"
The new law further contempla
that every official, whether elective
appointed, shall be absolutely II
from all influences and in a posit
of the strictest independence. To t
end it provides that no employe of
city shall be interested. either dire
ly or Indirectly in any contract or
in which the city is a party or in VIII
any public service corporation is\
terested. Neither can any officer
sept any service favor from any S,