The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-08
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EDITORIAL OPINIONS OF THR LEADING JOURNALS
UPON CURRENT ToPIo5-CoMPILBD RvERY
DAY FOR THE EVENING TELEGRAPH.

From the ~ Y. Times.
Testimony in favor of thorough reorgani-
cation Of the Civil Service rapidly accumu-
lates. The brunt of the battle in Congress
falls upon Mr.. Jenokss. Outside, however,
he has supporters whose words should long
ago have been conclusive The general OBJ
jeot Of his labors is ooncurred in most heartily
by those who have the best opportunities
for judging of the necessity of reform. The
abstract ideal has become a practical deside-
ratum. The heads OF the departments con-
fess, in general terms, the embarrassment
and injury to public interests resulting from
Indifference to the standard of fitness in the
appointment of subordinates.
Mr.. Wells has declared that until the Gov
ernment discaTds partisanship in the choice
of it's servants, and makes character and
capacity conditions essential to the acquisition
of the smallest office, it will be idle to hope
for material improvement in the revenue SER
vice. Mr.. Rollins, the late Commissioner of
Internal Revenue, confessed the same need in
his field Of duty. The whole revenue service
suffers from the same class of influences, the
root of which is found in the subsection Of
Offices and clerical POSITIONS high and low to
political and personal considerations, instead
OF the exaction Of qualifications that would
insure efficiency and fidelity in the various
bra nohes of labor.
The latest contribution to the volume of
evidence upon the subject is the report of the
joint committee respecting Treasury manage
ment in the matter of bonds and currency.
Amidst the doubts suggested by ''discrepan-
cies," and the caution which prompts an
equivocal handling of frauds, the committee
found one resting-ground, clear and strong.
They condemn, without hesitanoy or reserve,
the manner in which the subordinates, with
whose work they come in contact, are ap-
pointed. They declare that satisfactory re-
suits cannot be looked for $50 long as per-
nv nnoYl uod fhnr thn
mendation of Senators, members of Congress,
and other persons having political influence
without very strict regard to the qualities
essential to faithfulness and accuracy" They
urge reform at this point as indispensable, if
the records and transactions of the depart
ment are to be freed from the blunders the
'innocent mistakes" and less innocent "dis-
Orepanoies," which have for years scandalizsd
its management.
Is It probable that the improvement which
the entire civil service greatly needs will
be effected save under compulsion? We
apprehend that any change must be partial
and incomplete which lacks the binding force OF
law. The higher grade of officers selected by
the present administration may be guarantee
of some reform but in the nature of things it
must be imperfect. The influences which
have heretofore corrupted the departments,
and notably the Treasury, are still at work.
Senators and Representatives still have retain
ers, or the friends tf retainers, for whom pro-
vision must be had in the clerkships and
minor offices. And as, under any government,
the heads and their deputies are in large de-
gree dependent upon their subordinates, the
evils will probably continue. Modified they
may be by more intelligent direction and more
thorough supervision, but with greater or less
force they will continue in operation.
Adequate am sndment will come only when
the servioe shall be reorganized on basis
from which personal and partisan considera-
tions are excluded. Ability and character
must take the place OF the present recon-
msndatioDs; faithfulness and discipline must
have their rewards in permanence and pro-
motion. These are ends aimed at by Mr..
Jenckes' bill. 1t is less perfect, theoretically,
than the measure originally introduced by
that gentleman. He has been obliged to
acknowledge the impossibility of carrying
the comprehensive plan by which the entire
civil service would be lifted out of the slough
of partisanship; and he contents himself
now with a compromise which should have
the support of every head of department
or q bureau, and every Senator and member
who would put an end to shameful mis-
management. With the machinery OF a
new department he proposes to dispense;
the higher or political Offices he leaves un-
touched. What he proposes is Board of
Examiners, by whom all applicants for subor-
dinate positions shall be tested, and whose
certificate shall be q condition precedent Of
every appointment. The principle of selection
will be available then as now, but the selec-
tion will be restricted to a class any one of
whom will be fitted by habits and acquire
ments for the service, instead OF q class COM
posed of the nominees Of politicians and their
supporters, without training or capacity.
With duties thus defined, the examining
board will be valuable auxiliary of the de-
partments, a bulwark against the invasion 0i
small ofice-seekers, which Is one Of the
plaques Of the capital and an assurance ol
efficiency which every honest chief will readily
appreciate.
OF course, even this modified measure will
20 over TO the next session, and will go inde
fnitely, unless public opinion shsmes Sena
tors and Representatives into a surrender o.
the unworthy privilege to which they cline
so tenaoiously. No measure more directly
concerns the public welfare, none is NOR,
urgently required to complete the purifca
tion of the Government and inspire confdenc'
In the integrity and soundness of its opera
tions. How long will legislators reconcile Il
their consciences opposition to change whicl
is justified by vulgar considerations @
economy as much as by regard for the repu
tation Of the Government and the comfort an
usefulness of its members?
Will Grants Administration ID
al Success or a Failure?
From the NJ y. Herald
Everything in the machinery of the me-
administration seems to be running smoothly
The guillotine, at the rate OF about one hur
dred per day, is taking off the heads of tn
johnson office holders, and the active Repul
ifcan politicians are coming in for a fair shar
81 otthe spoils. General Grant has shown hi
disposition in many things to cultivate hal