example, it appears that pamphlets for school use are now being distributed by one Civil Service Reform Association. and at least two Auxiliaries. While the field is at present a large one, it is conceivable that after repeated vigorous efforts three similar organizations in one State might, in the not very distant future, easily duplicate work and thus waste much means and energy that could be saved by a little more system and be used to better advantage in other branches of our work.

From Mr. Henry Van Kleeck, for the Civil Service Reform Association of Denver:

The fifth consecutive attempt to secure the passage of a State civil service law by a Colorado Legislature failed at the hands of the Fifteenth General Assembly last spring, notwithstanding the greatly increased public sentiment which demanded its passage. This was due largely to the intensity of partisan feeling developed by the bitterly contested struggle for the governorship between Governors Peabody and Adams, which consumed most of the session. The defeat of the civil service bill was, however, principally due to the organized opposition of the professional politicians, chief among whom are the Federal office holders. Experience has repeatedly pointed to these Federal officials as being most active and influential in their opposition to the merit system. In fact, their's is the only organized opposition existing within the State. It is a question worthy of serious consideration whether it is not this same organized opposition of Federal office holders, which is retarding the progress of civil service legislation in the various States, and, if so, whether the Federal Government cannot be induced to exert its authority to prohibit the active opposition of its employees to such legislation.

The bill which was introduced in the House at the last session by the Hon. Clarence P. Dodge, of Colorado Springs, was prepared by the Denver Association, after full consultation with Mr. Elliot H. Goodwin, the Secretary of the National League. It was promptly passed by the House, with only one amendment, by the decisive vote of 46 to 14. It lingered in the Senate for weeks to be killed in the last days of the session, after a most dis

graceful exhibition of buffoonery and self stultification on the part of senators pledged to support the bill.

The measure as introduced followed closely the Federal civil service law and those of New York and Massachusetts. It differed chiefly in providing for an examination fee, and that the first name at the head of each eligible list should be appointed to fill a vacancy. This was due to the experience in Denver, where it had been found that the small latitude of choice of one out of the three highest on a list, was enough to secure the appointment of persons almost wholly of the political faith of the administration. This had a bad effect in discouraging those of opposite political beliefs from entering for the examinations. It is probable that in small communities, where the politics of individuals is easily ascertained, it will be found better to require the appointment of the highest person on the eligible lists to fill vacancies, with the usual probationary period.

The merit system has, however, a place among the statutes of Colorado regulating the selection of division irrigation engineers, where its limited application has worked beneficially. It is in fact a part of the constitution of the State, in which it was incorporated as the twentieth amendment providing for home rule for cities, adopted by a large popular vote in the fall of 1902. It is under the mandatory provisions of this amendment that the new charter of the City and County of Denver placed the Departments of Fire and Police, and of Public Works and Utilities under civil service regulations. This limited application of the merit system has worked most satisfactorily, and has made converts among the very politicians who opposed it, but who, as officials of the city government, have realized the great relief afforded them by its protection from the pressure of the office seeker. It is to be hoped that the City Council will exert the authority given it in the charter, and two years from next spring extend the system to all of the departments of the municipal government.

Public sentiment has been constantly growing throughout the State in favor of the merit system, as was amply illustrated by the organized effort which was exerted in

all the principal cities of the State to secure the passage of the defeated bill. Civil Service Reform Associations exist in Denver, Colorado Springs and Boulder, while in Pueblo, Greeley and other cities, Good Government Clubs are working for the reform. There is reason for believing that the time is not far distant when Colorado will be enrolled among those intelligent States which have adopted a general application of the merit system in the selection. of their public employees.

The Secretary read a telegram received from Professor Henry W. Farnam, the President of the Civil Service Reform Association of Connecticut, inviting the League to hold its next annual meeting in that State.

Mr. Ansley Wilcox, on behalf of the Civil Service Reform Association of Buffalo, presented an invitation to the League to hold its next annual meeting in Buffalo. The following papers were then read:

The President, the United States Senate and a Merit System, Richard Henry Dana, of Boston.1

The reading of the paper was followed by a brief discussion.2

The Relation of Civil Service Reform to Municipal Administration, Professor John A. Fairlie, of the University of Michigan.3

The reading of this paper was followed by a discussion.1

The Overthrow of the Spoils System in Philadelphia, Hon. Clinton Rogers Woodruff.

In the absence of Mr. Woodruff this paper was read by the Secretary.

Mr. Henry W. Hardon presented the following resolution, which was, on motion, unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the National Civil Service Reform League expresses to its hosts at the annual meeting at Milwaukee, to the State Civil Service Reform Association of Wisconsin, to Mr. and Mrs. Butler, to the Woman's Club of Wisconsin, to

2

Printed in full 1at page 127; at page 136; *at page 140; *at page 148; at page 152.

the Social Economics Club, and to Mr. and Mrs. Norris, its hearty thanks for their generous hospitality.

The League then adjourned. Attest:

ELLIOT H. GOODWIN,

Secretary.

A banquet to the visiting delegates was tendered by the Wisconsin Association at the Plankinton House at 8 o'clock on the evening of Friday, December 15. Captain Irving M. Bean, President of the Wisconsin Association, presided. Addresses were made by Mr. Richard Henry Dana, the Chairman of the Council of the National Civil Service Reform League; Dr. Amos P. Wilder, of Madison, Wis.; Hon. Ernest N. Warner, the introducer of the civil service bill in the Wisconsin legislature; Mr. Ansley Wilcox, the President of the Buffalo Civil Service Reform Association; Hon. Alford W. Cooley, United States Civil Service Commissioner, and Rev. Frederick Edwards, of Milwaukee.

During the meeting of the League the delegates were tendered a reception on Thursday afternoon at the Athenæum by the Woman's Club of Wisconsin and the Social Economics Club and a luncheon on Friday by Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Norris at their home, 1906 Grand avenue.

The members of the Council of the League were entertained at luncheon after the close of the preliminary meeting on Thursday morning by Mr. and Mrs. John A. Butler at their home, 135 Nineteenth street.