Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 4.djvu/220

 POLITICS IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF CHARITY AND

CORRECTION.

During the discussions conducted by the National Civil-Service Reform League, one important field has been greatly neglected — that indicated in the title of this article. It was natural and proper that the reform should aim to correct abuses in the postal department, in all branches of the general government, and in municipal administra- tion ; but the treatment of the helpless poor should not be forgotten. In 1896 the National Conference of Charities and Corrections discussed a report on the spoils system, and the writer presented another report in May, 1898.

The laws of the several states relating to such appointments and the tenure of office have been summarized in the American Journal OF Sociology, November, 1897, and January, 1898, by Mr. H. A. Millis. But are these laws properly administered, and how do they work? Schedules ef questions were sent out to well-informed persons in all parts of the country, and many replies were received which throw interesting light on the subject.

The testimony before the committee seemed to justify certain con- clusions which are briefly stated in their report. The "merit system " seems to be making progress in state institutions, especially those for the insane, for the deaf-mutes, and the blind. Less rapidly the better principles are accepted in state correctional institutions, as prisons and reformatories. It is in local institutions, such as city hospitals, jails, and in county charities, that we find the worst forms of neglect and incompetence, often of positive corruption.

Of course, partisan appointments are not often as bad as it is pos- sible for them to be, owing to the presence of an enlightened public sentiment which makes it good policy even for partisans to appoint capable administrators. But the spoils system only too often works its natural and inevitable consequences, and the charitable purpose of the community is thwarted by dishonest or inefficient agents.

It is the purpose of this article to present, as far as possible in the very language of competent informants, some of the illustrations of the actual working of the spoils system in the designated field of inquiry.'

'Through the kindness of Mrs. Josephine Shaw Lowell, Mr. J. G. Thorp,