The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-10

have made ample provisions in the Coustitu-
ton against such an OutgrOwth OF evils. Uuder
Washington the nu mbers engaged In our civil
service were a mere handful. In 1902 under
Jefferson, they had Increased according to
official report, TO 7l3 persons, or less than the
present force iu the New York Custom House
alone, and their annual compensation
amounted TO $439,567 Such we're the insig-
nihcant beginnings Of the "Blue book" which
contains the names OF some 50 900 individuals
in the civil service costing yearly expendi-
ture of about $50, 000 900. This oversbadowug
patronage, representing the taxconsuming
portion OF the community, is destined TO an
large instead of nishing. As our Western
frontiers grow up into STATES, the Off ss
within the gift of the Government will con-
stautly augment. Thus the evils which the
present system entails must increase with the
roll OF years.
Mr. Jeuckes' bill provides an effsctull rem
edy. His plan opens every appointment
which does not require the advice aud consent
of the Senate except OF postmasters, to com
petitive examination, without reference to
politics, regarding only the applicants Gage,
health, character, nOwledge, and ability" in
respect OF the branch OF service into which
he seeks to enter. Ii accepted, he enters upon
his duties on probation. Having passed that
satisfactorily, his place is made permanent,
depending alone on his meritorious psrf1rm-
apces. BY exhibiting rema kable aptitude or
decided talent, he may look forward oouf-
deDtly TO reasonable promotion. In no event
can his tenure be unsettled by the vicissi-
tudes OF parties.
In this way, Office seeking aud Off ,e-giviug
may be withdrawn wholly from the arena OF
politics. Merit may seek and find both honor
aud emolument. The coriuptiOns whicu dis
grace our elections and distOrt our legislation,
deprived OF the aiimeut which sustained and
promoted them, woAld be- brought to an end.
lDcompetency and iDfdelity would bs driven
from place and power. Office. holders would
have the strongest inducements for faithful
aud independent discharge of their Respective
functions. The industrious would no longer
be required to perform double work, that the
despOtio drOnes and the political parasites
might hold sinecure positions. Efficiency,
fidelity, and retIenchment would g,aiually
invade every department OF the civil service,
where hitherto inGs paclty, laziness, collu-
sions, negligence, buuders, and sometimes
downright EN- be ezzlement, have held high car
nival.
The principle of Mr. Jepnkes' bill cannot be
very much longer withheld from the statute
book. The masses OF the people are beginning
to comprehend tue situation. The honest
portion of the press will further enlighten
them. Ere long the people, tired of delay,
will exhibit restveDess aud signs of coming
indignation, which will override the present
efficacy OF nominating conventions and the in
| trIgues OF self-aggrandz ng cllques. Theu the
men who resist the present plan of ameliora-
| tion from purely individual considerations
| may prepare to reap as they have sown.
| Meanwhile let them bear in miud that wise
saying OF Mignet, the great French historian,
'When reform has become Deces ary, and the
| period of its complishWent has arrived, at
tempts to s!ite tend only to hasten its pro-
| gless."