The Press.
London, England, 1855-06-30 00:00:00

PRINCIPLES OF ADMINISTRATIVE

REFORM.
Tile question of Administrative Reform
is one of vast interest. Popular attention
out of doors inquires, thinks, and talks
about it—often idly, sometimes recklessly,
but in many instances earnestly. In the
Legislature, since the remarkable speech
of Mr DISRAELI, all practical politicians are
reflecting gravely upon this weighty theme.
Many persons suppose that a great standing
subject has been brought under political
cognisance, and that it will occupy the publie
attention, like Parliamentary ..Refortn, for s
lengthened period. But we believe that
the subject is intensely practical, and that
it presses for a more rapid solution. It
is pre-eminently a subject for sagacious

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statesmanship; and we should lament to think
that it was a mere topic for polemical politi-
cians upon which they might wage their wordy
war. In its present mode of treatment Adminis-
trative Reform has two aides. We hear an out-
cry:, against " the aristot ," vague, hollow, ant
unfounded, the mere hois railing a shallb
understandings and ijill 1 tongues. Cant of
that kind is beneath the consideration of men
of sense. But ot'a very different character is
the tone of thought ardetiggt those Mil) care.
fully examine the aspects of our social civilisa-
tion, and who ponder over the possible
eventualities of the coming age. The improve
ment and elevation of the Civil Service to
their apprehensions are objects most desirable
in themselves, and within the scope of prac-
tical statesmanship. They are, also, purposes
well worthy of calling forth the patriotic
ardour of every sound Conservative in Eng-
land.

Before examining the best means of coming
at a satisfactory solution of this great ques
tion of reform of the Civil Service it is
well to have a distinct perception of the ends
to be attained. The definite objects of Ad
miuistrative Reform should be twofold:
firstly, to consolidate offices and simplify
their duties by proceeding by sure steps so
as to avoid confusion; and, secondly, to raise
the status of members of the Civil Service by
throwing open to tried talents the highest
posts in their departments. Means should be
devised to make promotion more rapid, and
opportunities for distinction should be afforded
by some kind of publicity being given to the
work of each individual.
To attain those ends there must be a
thorough and complete change in our present
Civil Service. It must be altered also upon
English principles, and with regard to the
peculiar localities of officials working under a
constitutional monarchy. A civil servant
having to deal with a free public is in a very
different position from an official of equal
grade working under a despotism. An elastic
and accommodating character is demanded
from the official mind iu England which is
not required, and would be useless, in the
positive routine of continental despotisms.
Up to a certain point the English official has
to pursue a routine of office not very dissimilar
from the Government employi of foreign ser-
vice. Orders must be obeyed, heads of de-
partments consulted, and all the secondary
official virtues of temper, punctuality, in-
dustry, &a., be speedily exhibited. But
beyond that point everything is changed. An
English subordinate is oftener called upon,
if equal to his duties, for a sagacious regard to
general consequences. In every week of his
life he is made to feel that, though our
" Sovereign Lady the Queen " is monarch of
the realm, her Majesty's immediate and
direct authority is often rudely encroached
upon by members of Parliament, the censors
of journalism with their active pens, the spleen
of !dissatisfied tax-payers, and the anomalous
interposition of the public. To lament that
such is the case would betray an un-English
nature. It is our glory that England has been,
and is, a free country. It must be our care
to keep her so. The grand fact of her li-
berty is one of the first facts which an Ad•
ministrative Reformer has to remember.
This brings us to the consideration of a
great want of the official mind in England,
especially in what has been called the sub-
ordinate departments. Mere clerkly habits of
thought have been most injudiciously fostered.
Original aptitude for special labours has not
been encouraged, and the valuable qualities of
versatility of intellect have been as little
appreciated as if they were to be confounded
with the traits of volatility of character. Yet
if there be one quality more desirable in an
English official, it would be a versatile power
for comprehending sudden emergencies, and
the peculiar liabilities arising from them. To
know when it is right to obey routine, and
when to depart from it, is of the first con-
affairs. Some men
f perception by a
)thers it can be
'or want of it our
often grievously
,wo most pressing
generation—in the

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