THE MUNICIPAL LEAGUE OF PHILADELPHIA 353
fitness, and continued in office free from political exactions and dominations, and for so long a period as they discharge their duties faithfully and satisfactorily. The Bullitt Bill intended to place our municipal service on a merit basis; but, because of the provision giving to the heads of the departments, who were them- selves the appointing power, the authority to draft the rules and regulations governing appointments, it has failed of its object, and has resulted only in keeping the very worst and most ineffi- cient out of office. There is no more vicious principle in adminis- trative law than that which places in the hands of appointing officers the ability to formulate the rules in accordance with which they are to make appointments. Experience has time and again demonstrated that they will be unable to resist the demands for office on the part of interested politicians and office-seekers, and that they will therefore make the requirements as meager as pos- sible. President Proctor, of the United States Civil Service Com- mission, testified before the Senate Investigation Committee that such provisions were practically worthless.
Two of the league's bills provided for a civil-service system based upon the most advanced legislation and the experience of other cities. They were intended to remedy the defects of the present charter, and to establish a system whereby only those best fitted to carry on the city's business should be selected. A third bill prohibited political assessments, and was designed to relieve office-holders of what amounted practically to forced levies, extorted by fear of the possible consequences of refusal. The moderate and conservative character of the league's proposed legislation was shown in this latter bill, which only went as far as prohibiting assessments, although the committee, as well as the board of managers, felt that the only effective way of putting a complete quietus to the whole pernicious system was by making it a misdemeanor for any public officer or employee to contribute any sum for political purposes. Until this is done there will be contributions in one form or another for political purposes on the part of this class of citizens. It is no hardship to an office-holder to deny him the right to contribute for political purposes, because there is no legal obligation resting on him to hold office. If he
