The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-12-08


Mrs. Thomas D. Sheerin,
1880 Central-av, temporary
chairman of the meeting, in
troduced Mrs. Richard Ed
wards, Peru, Ind, chairman
of the Leagues merit system
committee.
Mrs. Edwards said that the adop-
ton of the merit system would
bring about more dignif1ed public
service, attract better men to public
office and increase the confidence
of the American people in their
government. One good result of the
depression, she said, has been the
fact that a higher type of young
man has been attracted into the
Government service.
1.-THE great need in Indiana is for
public personnel management
with appointment under the merit
system" Mrs. Edwards declared.
with this service in operation at
tractive, honorable and rernunera-
tive careers would be open for young
men of the state"
Systems History Recalled
DR.. White began his address with
brief resume of theNhistory of the
use of the merit system in the
United States. He pointed out that
Federal appointments we're made on
merit basis from the time of
Washington until Andrew Jackson
introduced the spoils system in 1929.
The spoils system was first checked
about so years ago when Civil Serv-
ice examinations were first intro
duced into the Federal Government.
Nine states now have Civil Serv-
ice laws, DR.. White pointed out,
and he said that New York and
Massachusetts, where the system had
been adopted first, now had the most
permanent, stable and competent
public services.
DR.. White declared that the spoils
system had had very pernicious
effect on American politics and the
need for a reform in the various
state governments was especially
great at this time.
Sees Need for Change
DR.. White emphasized at this
point that he was not criticizing
the patronage system under the
present or past administrations in
Indiana but he said that the need
for a change here was needed as in
all other states where civil service
laws have not yet been passed.
The merit system has proved it
self eminently satisfactory in most
of the states where it has been
adopted and also in many city gov
ernmentS, notably in Cincinnati
and Milwaukee, DR.. White said. He
praised the League of Women
Voters for its work in behalf of the
system and declared that universal
adoption of the merit system would
come about through the work of
such organizations.
The old patronage system is no
longer tolerable under present gov
ernmental conditions" DR.. White
declared, because it is based on the
interest of a political party rather
than on tn int, est of the people
as a whole, because it is i'm
permanent and unstable with no
chance Of improving the public
service without change Of admin
istrations, and because it is inef-
hcient and uneconomic."
Quotes Davis Endorsement
He said that he did not condemn
the various State Administrations
now in Office for their use of the
spoils system because they are only
making the best use possible of the
system they found on assuming Of
flee. Many excellent appointments
have been made under the present
system, just as poor ones can not
always UE dFO1QCQ dlbCl OlN1l 0C4 NiCC
examinations have been passed he
declared.
DR.. White quoted Chester c. Davis,
Agricultural Adjustment Admins
traitor, as saying that it would have
been impossible for the AAA to have
accomplished the work it has with
out the assistance of the Civil Serv-
ice employees in the Department Of
Agriculture.
THE Civil Service system has ac-
complished profound good in
Washington and what has been done
there can be repeated in all the
states" DR.. White said, and it is a
mistake to hold the system in deri-
sion because Of a failure to under
stand its work and its meaning.
Not Police Agency
THE Civil Service is not, as many
believe. a police agency keeping an
eye on all departments Of the Gov
eminent but rather an agency to
cooperate with and assist the vari-
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