The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-19
The spoiIs system and its Results.


IT is now nearly forty years since Andrew
jackson introduced into the politics of
this country the spoils system of appoint
ments to and removals from Office. We say
introduced, for that system was unknown
during the earlier and purer days of the
Republic. Washington made but nine re-
movals during his entire term of Office of eight
years, and these were all "for cause" Politics
had nothing to do with them. John Adams
made but nine removals of subordinate Off
GERS, and none of them on political grounds.
Jefferson elected after bitter and exciting
contest, removed, during his whole admins
traion thirty-nine persons; but he declared
that not one Of these removals was forpolitical
opinions sake. Madison made but five re-
moyals: Monroe but nine; and John Quincy
Adams but two.
In those days the civil service stood on the
same ground that the military service stands
upon now. Men who entered it made it
lifelong business. They studied to perform
their duties to the satisfaction of the Govern
ment, and to attain distinction and promo
ton by intelligence and fidelity in their seve-
raj positions. They measurably stood aloof
from partisan politics, their duties remaining
the same under various administrations. The
consequence was that the public was well
served. The interests of the Government
were carefully protected. The civil service
was filed with intelligent and high-toned
gentlemen, all of whose interests were in the
line of fidelity and honor.
Jackson changed all this, and introduced
totally new and different system. Under it
the Offices were to be regarded as only so
much plunder which of right belonged to the
cOnquering party, on the corrupt maxim that
to ''the victors belong the spoils." We have
tried this system under all parties, now, for
nearly forty years; and we suppose the iudg
ment of all intelligent men is pretty nearly
unanimous, that another so fruitful source of
corruption and debauchery of national de-
moralization and disgrace does not exist in
our Government All the services that Jack
son ever rendered to his country-and they
were great Ones-are hardly of a grains
weight compared with the fearful evils that
have sprung from the spoils system, which
he left as his most important political legacy.
1t has introduced the most base and sordid
elements into our political contests. 1t has
made the civil service redolent of fraud and
corruption. The plunder idea has permeated
everywhere where a Government office is to
be found. The incumbent, unless better than
the system looks upon his position not as a
trust, but as a reward for services rendered
one of the spoils of victory; and not knowing
how soon he may be ousted by another victor,
steals as much as he dares to- Corruption is
the rule, honesty the exception.
But even a greater evil, perhaps, than this
Generalization of the civil service has grown
up under thespoils system. 1t has become the
potent instrument, in the hands of unscrupu-
Ious Presidents, of attempts to debauch Con-
gress, control the legislation of the country,
and mould the politics of the nation. A Pre-
sident who has determined to carry any par.
ticular policy through Congress has every
office in the country as a reserve fund with
which to influence the peoples representa-
tlYes. We saw how unscrupulously this
dangerous power was used by President Bu-
chanan, when he endeavored to force the
infamous LecomptOn Constitution through
power used with equal unscrupulousness by
President Johnson, in his efforts to force
his unconstitutional reconstruction policy
upon the country. 1t is true that in both
instances the attempt has proved abortive
But the danger to our free institutions is never
theless apparent 1t puts in the hands of the
Executive a power which the Constitution
never meant that he should WELD. In some
critical hour of the nations destiny, it might
work the overthrow of the Government. It's
use to any extent in controlling the action of
Congress, or that of the people, is of the most
corruptng character.
The Tenure of Office bill, in restricting the
Presidents power of arbitrary removal, has
struck powerful blow at some OF the worst
abuses of the spoils system. But the system
itself is bad, and its legitimate fruit is abuse
The true remedy is to lay the axe at the roo
of the entire system, and to go back to tn
practice of the Government in its earlier days
Mr.. Jenckes' Civil Service bill, defeated las
session, was movement in the right direC
ton. 1t should not be allowed to slumbel
for it is by far the most important reforms
tory measure now before the American people
HARVARD CoLLEGR.-The report OF the Tret
surer of Harvard College gives us some ide
of the immense wealth of this corporations
"The several funds now held by the COLES
amount to 81, 800, 5O5'O6. Those separated
Hnt