If this be
so, and it is easy to ascertain whether it is so, it is to be hoped we
shall soon have heard for the last time that ignorance is a better
qualification than knowledge for the military and a fortiori for every
other, profession; or that any one good quality, however little
apparently connected with liberal education, is at all likely to be
promoted by going without it.
Though the first admission to government employment be decided by
competitive examination, it would in most cases be impossible that
subsequent promotion should be so decided: and it seems proper that
this should take place, as it usually does at present, on a mixed
system of seniority and selection. Those whose duties are of a routine
character should rise by seniority to the highest point to which
duties merely of that description can carry them; while those to
whom functions of particular trust, and requiring special capacity,
are confided, should be selected from the body on the discretion of
the chief of the office. And this selection will generally be made
honestly by him if the original appointments take place by open
competition: for under that system his establishment will generally
consist of individuals to whom, but for the official connection, he
would have been a stranger. If among them there be any in whom he,
or his political friends and supporters, take an interest, it will
be but occasionally, and only when, to this advantage of connection,
is added, as far as the initiatory examination could test it, at least
equality of real merit.
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