194 THE FARMER AS A BUSINESS MAN. 



better method than that would be to assign all the places to 

 persons with red hair, permitting them to draw lots, if the 

 number offering were more than were needed.* 



Politicians of all parties are bitterly opposed to such 

 reforms. The most common argument is that it will create 

 an "aristocratic class." Those who employ this argument 

 usually know that it has no merit, but they trust to the 

 stupidity and prejudice of the general public to gain their 

 ends. "Aristocracies" can never be supported upon the sala- 

 ries which are paid in private life, and which the public ought 

 to pay, for routine work — and nine-tenths of the public service 

 is of that character. On the contrary, except to the very few 

 who win promotion, not only by faithful service, but marked 

 ability, the service is of a very humble character. The public 

 servant becomes part of a machine. He loses individuality 

 and initiative. His name is not known outside his immediate 

 circle. By strict economy only can he make financial ends 

 meet. But his future, such as it is, is assured. He has chosen 

 a humble lot and abides by it, doing his work faithfully 

 therein. No private employer would discharge such a servant 

 without cause. Why should the public be less merciful than 

 individuals in it? It is true that the public service should be, 

 and in well-regulated civil service it is, evidence of honesty 

 and faithfulness. But an "aristocracy" based solely on those 

 qualities, and bound by what is practically a vow of perpetual 

 poverty, is not a bad thing. 



There is somewhat more force in the argument that in a 

 republic it is desirable that as large a number as possible 

 become famihar with the details of public business, and that 

 changing employees with every election, or "rotation in office," 

 as it is called, accomplishes that end. That it is well for citi- 

 zens to know all about the public business is true, but if knowl- 



* The mere establishment and enforcement of what are known as the "civil 

 service rules" for entrance and promotion will not, of itself, cure the evil. It 

 is but one step. There will still be intrigue to create unnecessary places on 

 the part of those who think themselves likely to obtain them. There must 

 also be legislation compelling public employees to keep ordinary business 

 hours, and requiring a rigid accounting for time. 



