The Penn's Grove record., 1913-02-28
Civil Service

A bill passed the State Senate on
Monday night by II TO 2 10 place all
towns governed under the act of 1895
under the tenure of office act. The
bill Was designed to keep a fire chief i'll
Office in Harrison.
Senator J. Warren Davis opposed
the bill. He said he was not opposed
to civil service, but the way it is carried
out in New Jersey. He said it Was the
bane Ut department heads; that there
were good men in Cffice with Others
seeking their jobs. and When they were
not protected the ak was out ior them
in civil service work forcing examina-
lions and bringing under lis wing eve
rything possible. Good hen and wom-
Ell had been named to position before
civil service came in and that its work
ings had not improved the service OF
the state, nor had it kept down under
hand work Ill getting out of flee serv-
wants OF the people and into office some
of the heads OF a department OF institu
ton wanted from the civil service list
No mattel What The politics OF a nan if
he were competent he should be retain
ed, provided, however. if the head of
the Office cannot find a man of his own
political belief. Why, l should be a
fool if did not put my own man ill.,"
Senator Nichols claimed that civil
service had saddled Tie State wi Ii in
competents and lie hoped the civil serv-
ice act might be wiped If tht books.
COMMENT
We endorse Senator Davis idea of
civil service. Under The present civil
service laws md tenure of office acts
this country is building up IA caste sys-
tenn of special privileged office holders
which is inconsistent with democracy.
After their service to the public in po-
sition which many would not earn near
so much i'll private life they are lobby
ing thru laws 10 pension them after d
few years service So others can hold the
same positions. Those pensioned from
the civil serV CT, many of whom ale able
to do service alter they are retired on a
pension, are becoming Larnacles on
the ship OF STATE, Which is Inconsistent
with Il popular system OF government.
To follow out The theory of fitness
fCI service on superior merits Senator
DAVIS should be letained as Senator
from eaiem county for many years AID
when he has served twenty OF thirty
years he should be retired on a pension
Every voter sees the folly and inconsis.
tency OF that in a de mocratic form OF
government. 1t savors OF monarchy
and would be like the House of Lords
in Great Britain, which is being torn
down by the growth of democracy.
There should be a requirement OF
certain qualifications to hold offices,
just as there are now certain Quali6ca-
lions for a man to lie a lawyer, doctor
architect, druggist, judge and election
officers. That should lie learned by ex
animation, OF the holding of a gTamma
school, high school Cr college diploma
Every person who has the qualifca.
ions is AS much entitled to All Office il
this republic as the fellow who holds it
if he CAL get it.
1t is ouI opinion that no civil Office
from the President, and Judges dow
to the school teachers aid pound keep
Ell should be put Oh such a social cast
by holding Office that they should b
pensioners on the other p ople.
We believe in the JeTersOnian test
Is lie honest? Is lie capable? Equs
rights 20 all, special privileges to nont
Houao loasos for cole nj tho Rrcnp,