Toward Better Public Administration

cratic society, career officials generally have a profound conviction of their obligation to shift ground in keeping with the shifts of public sentiment as expressed in elections. I have witnessed the effect of that profound conviction. I have seen career officials honestly and ably transfer their loyalties to changing officials, to changing political climates, changing legislative and administrative situations. I have seen this, and I have, of course, admired it. It is very much as it should be. Knowing that it is this way, citizens generally can have greater confidence in the vitality of the political processes that are necessary to a democratic society. Knowing that it is this way, politicians, political officials, and career administrators alike can have greater confidence in their respective functions. Ability to make such a shift involves devotion to a very high principle of morality. It has very much to do with superior public administration. Such shifts are not made without inner