The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-10-28
CIVIL SERVICE

tive and referendum offer'd by the
Michigan constitution is a growing
political awareness among the peo-
pie. This is an encouraging situa-
ton which needs to be met by fur
nishing information on different
sides OF every question.
The background of the proposed
amendment providing for a civil
service based on merit is a case in
point. 1t is generally recognized
that a proper merit system cuts to
a minimum the use OF an admin;
istrative service for the payment of
political debts and reduces the turn
over in public offices, but provides
for the elimination of deadwood
and of duplicate payrolls this last
item has cost Michigan half a mil
lion annually. 1t prunes the pay
roll by careful classification and
gives employees opportunity for pro.
motion and a security which en-
courages better, more experienced
service.
We need to keep in mind that in
working for merit system we are
working not only for an effective
economical civil service; we are
| fighting against the spoils system
which has given to Michigan
costly and inadequate administra.
ton of public affairs, extravaganza
and corruption in state purchasing,
in letting state contracts, in admin
istering welfare, in the regulation
OF business, and In collection OF
taxes. The newspapers of the state
contain almost daily inst noes of
the above features but rarely are
these evils related to the spoils
system. which is responsible for
most OF them.
informed persons who desire an
economical and efficient administra-
ton with as little graft and crooked
ness as is humanity possible have
long believed in the merit system
but nothing was really done about
it in Michigan until Governor Fitz-
| gerald, plagued to the edge of dis
traction by office-seekers. urged the
passage OF the admirable bill drawn
up by his Study Commission. This
with certain changes. was effected
by the legislature Of 81. acting un.
| der pressure of Governor Murphy
and public sentiment. There fol.
| lowed bowls of dismay from
thwarted politicians, who took re-
venge in 80 by mutilating the law.
so that Michigan citizens now look
upon their state administration
with shame instead OF with pride
II was thus demonstrated. as it
has been in other states, that the
legislature, regardless of the party
in power, cannot be trusted TO give
the state an administration free
from political patronage. Forum
ately resort could be had to the in.
itiative clause in the constitution.
Should the measure take the form
of an initiated statute or an amend
ment to the fundamental law? II
the former. then much detail must
be included, procedure which is
rightly frowned upon in view of
need for flexibility in changing
times. The friends OF the merit prin-
ciple wisely decided upon a brief,
simple amendment to the constitu.
ton, providing for the basic needs;
a staggered, unsalaried commission
! appointed by the governor and EN-
powered to decide upon all details
necessary to a modernized. effec-
tive civil service; administration by
personnel director chosen under
an open, competitive examination;
guaranteed financial support: and
limitation OF the power of exemp-
ton.
Objection is made to the powers
OF the commission OF four, appoint
ed by the governor for staggered
terms. True it is. they have extern
sive power; so does the Board of
Regents OF the University. whose
record, though not without blem-
ish is an enviable one. II the gov
ernor appoints poor commissioners
they can be removed by him or by
his successor, or the people can
change the governor. The RESPONSE
bility for good service is clearly
centered.
1t should not be forgotten that
heads of departments are not nov
free agents to choose or dismiss
whom they like; those who say so
shut their eyes to the control OF a
few political bosses who work in
secret and bring constc ntly recur-
ring pressure on officials. Incom-
petent and dishOnorable commits
sioners could do no worse. On the
contrary, they are forced to work
more openly, so that blame can be
rightly placed Moreover failure to
fill positions in the classified serv-
ice exclusively on the basis Of
merit, efficiency, and fitness COLT
stitutes a violation of the law and
any citizen may institute proceed
ing to carry out the mandate.
Investigation OF a large number
OF private businesses discloses that
personnel costs amount to 1855 per
cent OF the payroll; governmental
units under good civil service sys-
tens have personnel administrative
costs between one and two per
cent. Our proposed amendment pro-
vides for a minimum mot maxi
NUM- cost OF l per cent OF the pay
roll; this disposes of the objection
that the legislature would have no
voice In financing the systenh~~
Expertly conducted polls have
shown that over so per cent OF all
qualified electors prefer the merit
system to political patronage by I'M
responsible party bosses. Whether
Michigan voters can be led to see
the situation In the large, not in
terms OF an uncles brother-in-law.
or Of one institution. and to be
aroused sufficiently to free their
statewide business from the control
now enjoyed by corrupt and waste
full partisan leaders remains to be