Omaha daily bee., 1913-10-12
Administration and Civil Service.


President Wilson's lifelong pro-
fession Of loyalty TO the principle
OF civil service has not yet been put
to the fire test, but the manifest In
ordinate office-hunger Of his demo-
cratic following makes certain that
be must soon pass through that or
deal. So far the patronage grab.
bers have merely reached across the
edges here and there for crumbs that
cannot possibly satisfy. as a prelude
to an inevitable general onslaught.
On one side the president will be
exposed to an insidious hostile influ-
ence within his own cabinet family,
rs Secretary Bryan's opposition to
merit appointment and good be-
havior tenure in the public service
is we'll known. MIR. Bryan has al
ways had pet scheme OF upsetting
the civil service by establishink
fixed terms for all government posi-
tions at the end of which the in
cumbent should be turned out, re-
gardless Of fitness, experience and
faithful service, TO make way for a
new recruit.
1t is reassuring, however, TO find
that other members of the cabinet
are committed not only to maintain
the civil service unimpaired, but to
extend and strengthen the classifi-
cations. AS an example we have
Secretary of Commerce and Labor
Redfield going squarely on record
for keeping the steamboat inspection
service free from questions of par
tisan politics." To a member OF
congress Questioning a statement to
this effect, the secretary has ad-
dressed letter In which he ex-
plains and insists that the steam
boat inspection service be run solely
on the basis of ascertained eff.
cheney, continuing:
II has no political function. Its sole
duty Is to enforce the law ana thie Il
should do without being tempted by po-
litical partisanship or personal partial.
ity. II the supervising inspectors OF this
service Owed their positions In any dc.
gree to political influence they would
not be as free as they ought 10 enforce
the law In cases where they might feel
their political friends or sponsors were
interested. In this connection II is In
teresting and carries a point Of warning
TO observe that much political pressure
against inspectors whose removal has
been sought seams 20 have origin with
those who have either been negligent
or against whom the law has been en-.
forced
Secretary Redfield announces his
determination 70 keep a good Off
Ger in the service irrespective of his
views on subjects of national poll
tics" although when a vacancy oc-
ours he will "endeavor to replace
such an officer with a democrat who
has the requisite qualifications" ln-
cidently, the secretary in this very
letter pays a high tribute to the civil
service records of previous repub-
lican administrations when he de-
clares;
am glad 10 say that policy similar
to that suggested has heretofore. in
some measure, prevailed. The super.
vising inspectors in New York ana IN
Pittsburgh are both democrats and the
supervising inspector In Cleveland haP
the endorsement OF the democratic
mayor and congressman from that city
and many others. II does not seem tc
me wise political judgment to lower the
standards set by our political edVeF.
sariss, I prefer. so far as can. to ad
vance them.
II President Wilson will heed
such advice as this, and stand by
the courage OF his convictions. the
impending assault on the civil serv-
/ lea Will be repuie0d.