Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-14

tents to high public position and the
payment of political obligations by Off
Gals making loud pretense that men
should be appointed only for merit;
the shame and evasiOns of what might
be a competent civil service law; the
permission. knowingly, Of employees
holding place and rendering practically
no service for the large salaries that
thev draw from the state treasury
these and many others that result
from the corrupt system of spells, from
which no republican official seems able
10 get away. may justly cause the
people to conclude that the system
needs to be changed and new set or
officers installed that VIII come from
d party that believes in old fashioned
economy and in efficiency and faith
fitness in public service.
When the entire population OF our
state comes 10 the realization Of the
fact that, during the past 20 years,
the appropriations, for all purposes Of
the state government have increased
from eight and z quarter millions 10
twenty-nine millions; when they are
told. and truthfully, that the expendi-
lures for the personal expenses and
postage Of the chief executive have in
creased from $1,000 10 more than $49.-
O00. and that the total appropriations
az the personal disposal OF the govern
nor are increased from $4,000 TO
SlG7, 900, and are also shown that tbs
salaries Of the state officers have
grown from $500 600 10 50. 400 900: that
the same extravagaut increase runs
through all the departments of state,
all of which have been under the con-
troll of republican Office holders; and
when they learn TO know, as they
should. that nearly half a million dol
lars are collected every two years
from the people. under the pretense Of
creating q game protection fund, but
in reality for the purpose Of paying the
political debts Of the party in power,
# should and will cause an uprising
among the men who bear the burden
of the payment Of this money ard do
the voting that viii cause a revOlu-
ton aud III" overthrow of the party
and the men who have permitted this
eEtrava2ant growth of the expenditure
o, public money and whose apUCiutecs
have been the recipients Of tho money
wTUUg from The pockets of the tax
payers II viii doubtless be said n
explanation Of the growth of the ap-
preparations that the state has grown
and expanded in its work and care
Of The criminals and of the uufortun-
ate wards Of the public. The state has
grown and it has undertaken and Is
accomplishing q great work in certain
directions. Wherever the departments
and the care of the states business
has been divorced from politics by Tho
appointment of competent and efficient
men. who have done their duty.
noble work mas been accomplished. out
the party and officers in power deserve.
very little Credi. for these reforms.
These reforms. wherever they have
amounted to anything have been
forced from reluctant officers by az
aroused public sentiment. mauufac-
tured by an independent and uncram-
meled press, and II has required the
utmost vigilance Of all the true friends
of reform 10 keep the spoiIs system
from being applied to even these 20
sitions.
Very reluctantly, a republican ad-
ministra'ion has been forced to con
cade what, if honestly enforced. would
be fairly comprehensive civil service
or merit efficiency law. The law could
neve- have been enacted or amended
10 increase its efficiency except by the
aid of democratic influence. force and
votes.
II should be 10 the everlasting shame
Of a republican administra ion that it