The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-07
TURN BACK THE spo1LsMEN.

The law pertaining TO the civil ser
vice should be honestly and rigidly
enforced, 10 the end that merit and
ability should be the standard OF ap-
pointment and promotion rather than
service rendered 10 political party"
Such is the declaration of the Demo
cratic party in It's last platform, and
such IS the position OF President Will
son As to the civil service system, but
in direct opposition. there is pro-
vision in the Underw simmons
tariff bill exempting for two years
from the operation OF the civil service
Law more than 500 persons who are
to administer the income tax law at
cost 10 the country OF more than ST.
100000 annually. The proposal has
attack on the efficiency of the public
service made in recent years" 1t has
aroused the hostility OF host OF civic
and commercial organizations, and the
United states Civil Service Commits
sion hae informed the Senate that
there is no vestlge of an excuse for
exemptins the positions from compe-
,!tion.
The fundamental issue involved is,
OF course. whether the income tax col
lection force shall be appointed for
political reasons or whether it shall
be appointed because Of merit and
ability" or experience In some other
branch Of the public service. The SUI
per!or.ty OF the latter standard is
obvious The United States Civil Ser
vice Commission testifies that
The ability of the majority of
persons appointed on the basis Of
political favor is far below the
average OF persons appointed 10 like
positions by promotion. transfer or
through competitive examinations
When positions are left 10 be filed
without examination. the appointing
officers are rarely left free TO choose
the best man. 1t has been the constant
testimony Of appointing officers that
they are forced by political consider
ations 10 appoint to these excepted
places men who are incompetent and
VINO would never be appointed were
they left untrammeied In the exercise
Of their own judgment II positions
are required 10 he filed under tho civil
service rules. appointing officers are
freed from importunatc solicitation
and coercive Influence outside the SER
vice"
The arguments against tho exemp-
ton proposed are:
II violates the Democratic platform
II lmpedes the extension of the civil
service system in the government.
It requires without reason that ap-
polntments to the income tax force
shan be made in different manner
from those made to the force in the
similar and no less important work
OF valuation of the railroads
II makes possible the appointment
OF public officers under obligation or
suspicion of obligation to persons for
their positions.
| 1t makes possible the appointment of
incompetent persons or persons not
| free from political bias or influence
| 1t makes possible the application Of
the income tax with political or per-
! sonal tavortism
II makes it possible for political
appointees. with the authority OF The
Federal government behind them. to
have access to business records and
private books
The exemption. should be stricken
from the bin. 1t is vicious in principle,
utterly violative OF the pledge that
merit and ability should be the
standard OF appointment and promotion
rather than service rendered to n po-
l!tical party"
-4====-==-@
Richmond has the mnkings Of a
good tcam I'M The American 1.anna