Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-12-25
The Civil Service Bill.

Congress has scarcely any measure under con-
siieration of higher Importance than the Civil
Service Bill Mr.. Jenckes, the author Of the
bin, has brought to the preparation Of it the
high talent and the extended study which ena-
bled him TO draw the Bankrupt Act with SO
much wisdom and skill. The evils which the
bin aims TO remedy are obvious TO all. The work
I which Is done for the government by its civil
officers is not done as it should be, and costs far
more than it ought. No one now pretends that
men are appointed to civil Offices on account of
their competency. These Offices are bestowed on
purely partisan grounds In TOO many cases the
uoisiest declaimer. the most Inscriptions wire
puller, the meauest intrguer, is far more likely
TO receive lucrative post than modest, hon
est, able man. When the worthless fellow has
obtained lis office he knows that the next polit-
cal change VII GUST him from his place, and
that he must therefore make all the money he
can from it during his four years term
Work 80 said department clerk, who was
justly reminded that he was not earning his
salary, '' WORKED hard enough to get here
YOU don't suppose am going to work now, 10
you2'' The frauls ia our custom houses and in
our internal revenue department have become
proyerbil. \ great many officers are known to
be in collision with the knaves whom they
ought to expose and rring to punishment There
is no iniucemeut for young man to prepare
himself for faithful work in the civil service.
and to continue with fidelity and industry at his
post For promotion does not wait upon merit
There l. no assured career before Young man
a there Is in the army and navy. Consequent
~ there j. almost no esprit dc corps in the
civil service The best administrative talent
l. lot found there Nor can the best Ia
lent and he highest character be secured
for it under our present system. If one
should seek a system which should have as
many bal features as possible, he would need to
make but few notifications in that which i now
in use. 1t furnishes no guaranty that Ell
ther talent or character shall be found in the
civil officer. It holds out to him no encourage
meut to develop his talent or elevate his charac-
ter. 1t not only does not insure him continuance
IN an ONCE when he has become thoroughly pre-
pared ior It's duties, but warns him distinctly
that he must lose his position whenever there is
a political change in the country How there
can be anything much worse than this we cannot
imagine.
Now the Civil Service Bill proposes to abolish
this wretched system, and to introduce a plan Of
appointment. by which merit and character shall 4
be secured in every officer, and fidelity and abili-
ity shall be rewarded by steady promotion. BY .
the terms Of this bill the President, with the ad-
vice and consent Of the Senate, is to appoint four
commissioners, who are to serve five years.
Their duty viii be to prescribe the qualifications /
for appointments to any branch of the service, |
and to provide for examinations of candidates |
They NAV call in the aid of learned and worthy
men to assist in these examinations They may