il of the gravest magnitude. Unlimited power to authorize
counties, cities, and towns to subscribe to the stock of railroad
companies had burdened the people of the State with indebtedness
and taxation to an extent which threatened bankruptcy. Experience
has shown, however, that the clauses of the constitution on this
subject are so sweeping that they are almost equivalent to a
prohibition of the construction of railroads, except where those
who control the existing railroad lines furnish the means. In many
localities, the people are thus deprived of the only artificial
instrumentality for intercourse with other parts of the State and
country which is now regarded as valuable. By reason of it,
important sources of wealth in large sections of the State remain
undeveloped. It is believed that amendments can be framed, under
which effective local aid can be furnished for the building of
railroads, and which, at the same time, shall be so guarded and
limited as to prevent a dangerous abuse of the power.

For many years political influence and political services have been
essential qualifications for employment in the civil service,
whether State or National. As a general rule, such employments are
regarded as terminating with the defeat of the political party
under which they began. All political parties have adopted this
rule. In many offices the highest qualifications are only obtained
by experience. Such are the positions of the warden of the
penitentiary and his subordinates, and the superintendents of
asylums and reformatories and their assistants. But the rule is
applied to these as well as to other offices and employments. A
change in the political character of the executive and legislative
branches of the government is followed by a change of the officers
and employs in all of the departments and institutions of the
State. Efficiency and fidelity to duty do not prolong the
employment; unfitness and neglect of duty do not always shorten it.
The evils of this system in State affairs are, perhaps, of small
moment compared with those which prevail under the same system in
the transaction of the business of the National government. But at
no distant day they are likely to become serious, even in the
administration of State affairs. The number of pers