The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-26
18th Congress Showed
 Contempt For Merit
Connecticut's Record on Abolition of Pork Barrel Patronage ExtOIed By Leader of WOmen's League

"No thoughtful Connecticut citi- zen who is interested in civil service can fail to be struck by the con- trast in the records of the late ses- sions of the Connecticut legislature and of the national congress-" said Miss Katharine Ludington, presi- dent of the Connecticut League of Women Voters, in statement made today.
 "The seventy-fifth congress has adjourned with record of almost consistent contempt for the public's demand for abolition of the patron age system-the Connecticut legis- lature, urged and encouraged by Governor Cross, put the state of Connecticut into the civil service honor rolll
 Proud of Connecticut
 'These two facts, seen as we must see them in juxtaposition, should make us proud of our own state; but at the same time, we must view with deep concern the attitude of 8 large majority of the members of both houses of congress and of both parties, toward the public serv- ice and toward their party plat forms. The democratic platform was as follows:
 For the protection of govern ment itself and promotion of its efficiency, we pledge the immedi ate extension of the merit system through the classified civil service which was first established and fostered under democratic auspices ito all non-policy-making posi- tions in the federal service. We shall subject to the civil service law all continuing positions which because of the emergency have been exempt from Its operation The republicans said:
 We pledge ourselves to the merit system virtually destroyed by New Deal spoilsmen. It should be restored, improved, and ex- tended. We will provide such con- ditions as offer an attractive per- manent career in government service to young men and women of ability, irrespective of party af- filiation.'
 Spells System
 "A statement from the Washing ton office of the League of Women Voters says:
 Upon its record we accuse the 75th congress of having persist ently throughout its session added to its store of patronage. We &C., cuse 1t of having fiouted expressed public opinion against the corrod- ing spoils system in government. We accuse 1t of having ignored the pledges of its own party plat forms and of having shown itself deaf and blind to the most under nsining political danger that ever threatened great democracy
 Yet us look now at the record On a proposed amendment to the hours and wages bill to put all ap. pointeeS with salaries of over $4,00( under the patronage system, 73 ou of 84 senators-that is to say, near. ly ell the democrats and nearly al the republicans-voted to commit this act of craftsmanship. Anc among these were men who as dele. gates to their party convention! helped adopt the civil service planks and some who even helped to draw them upl
 Bill Defeated
 Tn spite of party promises thu senate failed to pass the Ramspecl bill putting first, second and thire class postmasters under civil serv. Ice. This bill had passed the house with all six Connecticut congress. men, to their credit, voting for 1t A shocking feature of the defeat 1T the senate was recorded by SenatoI Mcclellan as follows:
 I took the trouble to inquire among the senators and up to date I have found only four among the senators who are will. ing to say that they would vote for c bill taking away the right of confirmation by the senate of