The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-04
Secretary of State regional market would be a great assistance to them.
 The Merit System

assistance to them.
 The Merit System
 The spells system is an undesir- able and unnecessary by-product of our political life. Public spirited citizens demand the recognition of merit in the selection of public servants and a merit system has been put into operation in our state government and in the gov ernment of some our cities. It may prove wise to enact an amendment to the State Constitu- tion providing for the principle of appointment of public servants on the basis of merit. Such an amendment would firmly establish the merit principle and would furnish the foundation upon which to build extensions and im- provements. The lack of such an amendment does not prevent im- mediate extension and improve ment of the present law. The law should be amended clearly defin- ing those acts which constitute a violation of the law. The section relating to penalties needs strengthening. Abuse in the mat ter of provisional appointments has been claimed. The selection of any one of the three applicants holding the highest ratings has also been criticized. There has been a suggestion in some quar- ters that a Civil Service Commis- sion be substituted for the present Personnel Advisory Committee. These matters should receive your careful consideration. Workable, effective merit systems should be established in our larger cities ani uniform legislation be en- acted to that end. It would be well to have uniform act to meet the needs for civil service in some of our smaller towns and communities. In 8 Republic it is essential that the policy-making officials respond directly to the electorate or to those who ap- pointed them, who are themselves, directly, elected by the people. It is sometimes difficult to draw the line of distinction between an appointive, policy-making official and a purely administrative one. The former must be subject to the political change which belongs to representative system of gov- ernment. There is good reason why even some policy-making off, ficials should refrain from politi- cal activity while holding public office, although not themselves appointees under the merit sys- tenn. Commissioners and deputy commissioners are not appointed under the merit system. They are policy making officials and for that reason should not be subject to the act. Their subordinates in the departments, however, are for the most part subject to the act. Commissioners and deputy com missioners as political appointees can inject political activity into their departments. Legislation preventing 8 commissioner or deputy commissioner from politi- cal activity while holding office would greatly strengthen the merit system.
 Appropriate legislation should be enacted disqualifying any member of the General Assembly during his term of office for an appointment in any administra- tive or judicial office in the state. An array of senators and repre- sentatives as judges and admins trative appointees after a legis- lative session is not imposing be- fore the people of the state.
 The Courts
 Speedy, impartial judgments in criminal and civil matters are
 prerequisite to Justice. The