The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-05-25
PUBLIC OFFICES AND THOSE WHO
FILL THE M--MR. SUMMERS BILL

Mr.. SumBer has introduced a bill into the
Senate which, owing 10 the general absorption
of the public attention in the great events
which are taking place ~ the Geld, will probably
not attract much netice, but il nevertheless at
tcmpts 70 deal with matter which is of more
Importance, We venture TO say, 10 the stability
of this Government, than any other one thiug
except the extinction Of the rebellion. IL u
neither more nor less than sweeping measure
Of administrative reform; oblging all candidates
tor situations in the public service TO pass an
examination before UOzTd Hppointeu IOr IuAl
purpose; giving them their Offices during good
behav .or, aud With promotion through the Vsri-
ous grades in the order Of seniority, and a re-
firing pe.siOn after a certain term OF service.
We have not much hope that the bill will pass
al this time. The public is not yet sufficiently
alive TO the magnitude and danger Of the evil II
proposes 10 remove, and COngressTnen have TOO
much interest in its retention to allow TO hope
that they will ever consent 70 make against
II until they are driven 70 il BY pressure from
their constituents. But We feel satiehed that
shall not have to wait very long after the critical
period Of the war has passed Tor people 70 be
thoroughly convinced that this Government
cannot be carried On,much longer With the pres
ent system Of making appointments in the ciVh
service. The work Of government will hence
D
ey passing through It's hands every year 100
great the details with which u will have 10 deal
TOO complicated, 70 render il possible TO perform
Il without a staff OF trained officials, furnished
with tue usual motives 10 behave veil aud TO
make the public service the whole aid sole
business of their lives. There will be = stand
ing army equal 10 that Of several EnroPssn 6ost-
class Powers, q navy perhaps tie largest Ia the
world, pOst-Ofhce on Z scale hitherto uDkuOwn,
revenue system Of uDequaled magnitude and
coDplexity, and q revenue eqasl, # not greater,
than that Of Great Britain. We DO lot believe
there is an intelligent man in the community
who honestly believes that all these departments
can possibly be adninist. red in such a way : 0
hold the Uuion together with oficials selected,
as now, without the slightest reference 70 their
character Qualifications, 70 snvthiDg except
the ciaiDs Of themselves or their patous on
3" the party" aud discharged ss often as the Ac-
ministratiOn IS changed or oflener. They would
be more than haman who, uUder such circun-
stances, would % their duty either honestly, or
laithiully, or efficiently.
There l., hO~ever, stall stronger objection
70 the present system than that drs~D from its
iueffceucy l. wil heuc-forSard furnish the
Administration, for the time being, with ss en-
gine OF corruption such as has never before been
lodged IA The hands Of any man, or any body Of
ucu-aul eAIls A. "a system VI byfclu-
neat, cou q lot fai 70 De soouer or later iatal 70
onr i,hsrri-s II Icy r.-si1vSt 10 ~ IV usrJ
Nth the poser OF employing The v4st army OF
fuactiCnaries Tnom are 70 have oeDceiOT ard
10 our service, a. eleciiOBeerlBg agents, aud 70
make their bread dependent on their Zeal 10 Sc
curing hin a continuance in Office, the Presdeu.
.iAl election would soon become . sorry farce.
No man, no matter what his character, 10 hE 10
be trusted with any such pOwei; and no people
animated by even ordinary regard for their own
security, would iDtrust him With it.
AL danger Of the growth OF Bureaucracy
: amongst US, or 10 other words al danger Of The
, loss By the public OF proper controI sod inhu>
euce ever those who serve il, WHl- Of course
always be avoided by the ordinary changes il
tie heads Of departments. As lOug ss We car
= turn the Presided and his Cabinet out Of of5ce
every four years. We have very efectusl security
for the good behavior Of his subordiDstes.-E
T. IiDses.