Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-02-14
speech OF aon. Frederick n. Wood
bridge
TS THE HOUSE or RBPREsESrArIvEs, FRH.
s, 1867, ON THR CIVIL SERVICE BILL.

NA1AAOu was luNlONuAAu bNANAN hAAe WY
something more than year ago, and
was referred TO the committee on the
judiciary, Of which have the honor to
be a member IL became my duty, under
the direction OF that committee, to ex.
am ne the bill and gave 1t that con.
sid, alton which deemed the impor.
TAM. OF the Subject demanded. At that
time d, came 10 the conclusion it would
be III Use to pass the measure. My col
Leagues then on the committee agreed
with me and instructed me to report the
bill back to the House and ask that the
committee be discharged from its further
consideration. Out of courtesy, how
ever, to my friend from Rhode Island
(Mr. Jenckes) such course was not
taken, and the bill was referred to a
select committee, who have now reported
IL TO the House for its action with their
approval
As near as | can recolect, the main
features of the bill have not been changed;
and / may say, in passing, that for its
scope, its clearness, its precision, and its
honesty of purpose, it does great credit
to my friend from Rhode Island, (Mr.
Jenckes } who is lis reputcd an hor.
The theory Of the bill Is perfect 1t
raises p superstructure which it is de-
Iighttul to gaze upon; aud when glded
over, as it has been by the very able and
manly speech Of my friend from Rhode
Island, 1t would seem to have be-
come magnificent house Of refuge into
which the Government may retire and
save itself from all the fOllies and weak
nesses Of human nature. But like all
schemes which through all time have
been devised to free social organization
from the natural weaknesses and wick
cdnesses Of man, it wants foundation.
Poets have described their Arcadia
and yet no man ever reached one Specu-
lative and dreamy philosophers have got
up communities where selnshuess should
never enter; where property should be
held 10 common, and where The law of
love should reign supreme and yet no
such community ever did exist and never
will in this world, at least until the ar
rival Of that glorious day when "the
lion and lamb shall lie down together"
Sir, selfshness is imbedded In our nature;
and l am sorry to say that often it only
wants little temptation to be developed
into wickednrss.
Now, b lieve that for the aggrega-
ton of men IN The civil service there is
no greater corruption than in other de-
partments of business. Take the gen
Lleman's own profession, noble manly,
elevated as 1t is; no man can enter it
who is not, theoretically at least, of good
moral character, and is possessed of con-
'lderabe learning. Every man who does
inter it is brought to reflect and study
upon the great cardinal principles of
Justice and right. And yet, sir, in that
profession we find the natural selfish
hess Of man Out.Cropping into wicked
ness and corruption. IL enters the pull |
bit itself it disgraces the marts of |
,rade; it gets into the Halls Of Congress; |
md sometimes, have no doubt, it soils |
,ven the ermine Of the Judge. Sir, legis-
alton to prevent corruption in the civil
service OF the Government will be, as
allure. Under the operation of this BILL
If it should become law; no depart
ment Of the Government will, in my
Judgment, be any purer than tits now.
But, sir, there are other objections to
the bill. One is that it is anti demo
cratic. My friend from Rhode Island
has said, and it is undoubtedly true
that Belgium and Prussia and France
and England have similar system of
appointing officers to the civil service.
But where is the analogy between Eng
land snd this country? That sir, is
country of alist0craCy, a country of
classes, where as rule man cannot
rise unless he iS born to position. In
England lhr coal HEAVIER or to-day is a
coal. HEAVIER on the day of his death.
The boy WAC digs in the mines TO day
digs in mines when his hair is silvered
with age How different here The
cotton,spIuntr Of to-day floats .t0-mor-
row upon one Of our splendid monitors
the highest achievement Of naval ar
ChjtcCture upon the inland seas Of Eu-
ROPE, The rail.splitter Of to-day be-
comes tomorrow the President of the
Uni e1 States. Here the avenues TO 20
slt'u0 % power, to wealth, are open to
all ahd they ought not by any legisla-
ton Of ours to be closed. In this cOun-
try the poor man cannot be kept down.
The rich man and the man elevated by
birth, If he has not the requisite inner
ent talents cannot be kept up The race
Is TO all men. The avenues are all open;
aud | think 1t would be dangerous for
US to close these avenues to the many
and provide royal road for q fortune or
a favored few.
Mr.. STEVENS. Will the gentleman
allow me word ?
Mr.. WOODBRIDGE. Yes, sir although
! have but little time left.
Mr.. STEVENS. AS l understand this
bill, it provides for an examination of
those now in Office.
Mr.. WOODBRIDGE. Not necessarily.
Mr.. STEVENS. And those not found
on examination are to be
turned ont.
NIB. WooDBRIDGE.-The incompetent |
will not necessarily be turned out
Mr.. STEVENS. II the report be IN |
adorable to them they are to be turned |
,ut.
Mr.. WOODBRIDGE. They ought TO be.
Then, again, it is said by'my friend on
.he the other side that this bill will pre-
rent removals from office; and hence |
'uppose he will argue that it will give