Valdez daily prospector., 1913-09-17
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. l7, 1913.
RESTORING THE SPOlLS SYS-
 ITEM.

Democrats are enthusiast be- lievers in the merit system for the Civil Service when they arc seeking votes, but their enthus- iasm dies out when they gain power and have offices to fill. Their course since March has been consistent, but it has been grossly inconsistent with their campaign promises and their platform.
 The income tax provisions of the Underwood bill require the creation of hundreds of new of fees under the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. The last par garaph of that section of the bill provides that for two years after the passage of the bill the az ents, deputy collectors and in- spectors shall be appointed by the Commissioner with the ap- proval of the Secretary of the Treasury without compliance with the Civil Service law. That pro- vision gives senators and repre- sentatives hundreds of jobs to fill with their favorites. At the eX- piration of the two years slm- ple executive order of the presl- dent or a prOviso in an approprl- alton bill can "cOver" these fla yorites into the classified Civil Service and render them immune from removal when administra- tiOns change.
 When Republican senators pro- posed that these offices be plac- ed in the classified Civil Service, the Democrats fought to a man against any change. When ask ed point blank by Senator Root whether he thought the rrcom- menuat ion of congressman would be peter than Civil Ser vice examination, Senator Hokc Smith replied:
 .I think the judgment of a congressman would be better in the selection of competent men than this examination they have been conducting. None of the men who have passed these eX- aminatiuns are as fit as the men recommended by Deputy Col lector of Revenue.
 The remark shows dlSbcllrf m the merit system, nol only as ap- piled to income tax officials, but in principle. It shows prefcr- ence for the Judgment of a con- eressman and for deputy col lector appointed on a recom- mendation of a congressman. The solid party vote of the Dem ocratS shows that they hold the same view and at heart are np- posed tn the whOla merit sys- tenn. which has prevailed for thirty years and which has been approved by both parties in ev- cry ,platform... The Democratic convention at Baltimore approv- ed this law, declaring that 1t should be honestly and rigidly enforced, lo lhe end that merit and ability rather than service rendered tn a political party should be the guide.
 But the Democrats have already forgotten this plank in their plat form. That they never honest ly believed in it is proved by thell course, not only since, but before it's adoption. The last congress tried to limit the tenure of of- flee in the Civil Service to seven years, but was defeated by Pres ident Taft. Since the Wilson ad- ministration took office men have been removed OF doomed fol purely partisan reasons. Post master General Burleson has en- deavOred to remove the highly ef- ficient postmaster at San Fran cisco before his term expired anC has tried to make jobs for Dem- ocrats by holding bogus exami- nations for fOurth-class post masterships and by sending in. speclors to fake up charge' against the incumbents of sucf offices. Secretary Bryan has supplanied men of proved abilit, and fidelity in the diplomatic ser. vice with men inexperienced il