hire personnel on the basis of their abilities; adopt a merit system instead of a spoils system; appoint people with talent and ability to their respective positions; assign jobs to people according to their abilities; employ people according to their several abilities with no regard for party lines; employ people according to their talents; employ people on the basis of their merits; give sb. employment commensurate with his ability [abilities; capacities]; give sb. work according to his ability [merits]; give sb. work suited to his abilities; make appointments to a post according to qualifications