New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-17
FAVOR MERIT SYSTEM
Hedges and Straus Reply to In
uuirieS of Reform Association.
SULZER FAILS TO DO SO
Sends Word He Always Be-
friended Civil Service, but
Straus Quotes Speech.

The Civil Service Reform Association IN
accordance with its usual custom sent to
the leading candidates for Governor a let
ter on October asking them for state
! ment of their attitude toward the merit
system. The letter sent to the candidates
was signed by Robert w. Belcher, secre-
tary Of the association, and was IN part
as follows:
A civil service law has been In existence
, in this state since 1855. since the enact
ment Of the NuI.e law duLnS the ddIiiIh-
istrat.Un Of Governor Roosevelt thS S!s-
TEN Of competition mas been EXTENDED 10
q aprly 10 many oil the ulsucT Offices N the
Citil service as modern methods o; eX-
animation have made this method prdc-
tcable, and also 10 several couhues ana
the Governor OF the state possesses
large movers in connection with the ad-
mlnistTatlOn Of the law, and upon MS az
titude toward the CIyll service reform
principle must depend, TO large degree
the efficiency and integrity OF TINS aanlh'
To those who are interested in securing
honest and efficient service through tIt
medium Of the merit system the attitude
Of the Governor as shown In his enforce
ment of the law ana in the character 81
the civil service commissioners ne "p-
points is one Of signal Importance.
Mr.. straus and Mr.. Hedges have both
sent answers to the letter, but Mr.. SulzeT'
the Democratic nominee, has sent no an
swer TO the association. MI SuIzeT d.u'
however. authorize the statement that ne
was In favor OF the merit system and mat
he had been a friend OF ciyil service re-
form all Of his life.
Mr.. Hedges. the Republican candidate
In his reply wrote:
In no perfunctory spirit, but In ali SIN SIN.
CeTity, | believe in the maintenance OF N.I'
merit system ana that II - 10" an tslaD-
lished, growing part OF our admlnis TdtIHs
law. 1t seems 10 me enurc!y nuns thd'
your ASSOCIATION sHOuIu inquire O1 tt'
candidates Tor Governor, as you nave
done. -.
past been discussions OF a somewhat
heated nature in ciyil service matters
they have been on questions Oh proctu-
ure and not on substantials. q,
out OF the original discussions ! thinh
there has come settled belief that the
civil service or merit system Dement'S the
administrative part OF government more
1t will give me great pleasure 10 see, so
far as 1 can, that what has been accom-
plished shall not be lost and that there
shall be d normal Improvement:
JOB +. HEDGES.
Mr.. Straus said, In part:
The platform OF the Progressive party
is a covenant with the people, which !
will keep, and | think the plank therein
referring TO civil service fuzzy answers
your inquiry
If would seem the Democratic admins
tratiOn under Dix has not been very Ia
yOrable TO civil service. ] refer to his eN-
emption Of four supervising inspectors
Of the Bureau Of Labor from the COM
petitive list.
Mr.. Sulzer. in speech he made soon
after the election Of Governor Dix In 1910,
at a dinner Of the Tammany Speakers
Bureau Association in New York, as re-
ported in the press the following morning
said:
I'VE are the workers; we have won the
victory and / am a firm believer In the
doctrine to the victor belongs the spoils.'
When our party wins after strenuous bat
tie, there are men In our ranks who can
fiji the Offices II / had my way. when
the Democrats win | would give the Re-
publ!cans good government and the Dem
Ocrats good Offices"
OSCAR S. STRAUS.