The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-04-13

Newspaper reports have told of the recent efforts of the City Ad- ministration to take care of a certain "derservmg person" by find- ing place for him on the city pay roll. This "derserving person" was first placed on the City employment
 lists as caretaker of the Isolation Hospital. When the hospital was closed several weeks ago, of course he had to be dropped from the roster of the Welfare Department, so he was placed on the payroll of the Health Department. Un- fortunately for this deserving person" however, there was no ap- propriation for him on the Health Department payroll, so he was transferred to the slaughterhouse payroll, where he was again con- fronted with the mo funds" situa- ton. Just what the present status of the man is unknown, but if he isn't drawing a City pay check, it isn't the fault of the Administra- tion.
 No Fault Found
 This particular case is not cited for the purpose of finding fault with the present Administration at City Hall, nor is it intended as any re- flection on the particular person in- volved. It is offered as just one of many such cases that have taken place under all administrations. under both political parties, for many years past. 1t is perfect il- lustration of the spells system. Under the spells system matters such as this are regarded as mere routing, the emphasis is always on taking care" of "derserving per- sons" rather than on actual public need for certain services, or the ability of the persons appointed to perform the services required of the various positions. It is an illuStra- ton of how any city administration, under the present system of govern ment, is compelled to maintain its political fences by taking care of those who are responsible for de- livering the votes which have placed the administration in office, and which keep the administration in office. In other words, the public treasury is made to pay the bill for maintaining the political machine of any city administration in office under the present system of govern ment.
 It is doubtful if any city official, past or present, really approves of this system. Even the most uncon- scientious official would like to make a showing of economy and eff ficiency, because economy and ef- ficiency appeal to voters. Further more, for every person promised a job or placed on the payroll there are likely to be several who have to be turned down, which makes that many opponents come the next election day. But what can they do about it? Practically nothing, so long as the present system of elect ions remains on the statute books for the City of Waterbury.
 Must Provide Jobs
 There is little any city admins tration can do about it because all of the administrative officers ot the city are elective officers, whc must promise to distribute city jobs in order to gain the support of those who control the election ma chinery; the machinery which names the delegates to the nominating conventions, which are city wide, and the machinery which provides the personnel to bring out the vote on the day of the general election No candidate for office dare risk re- fusing to make these promises. If he does so, his opponent or opponents would not be so foolish" and he would not be able to bet the SUD- port necessary for him to win. What the voters themselves think of this practice is of little concern to the candidates, for the candidates must first deal with the political bosses, in order to be nominated, and the voters have no voice in the matter at all.
 The proposed city manager--PR. Cincinnati plan) city charter not only provides a sound merit system which makes such practices illegal, but it goes directly to the root of the evil of the spells system by removing the very necessity" for the spoils system. The proposed charter pro- vides that all administrative officers shall be appointed rather than elective; the city manager and other city officials, save only the council men, members of the board of edu-