New-York tribune., 1869-01-18

that the number OF those who appointed by the
heads Of the departments can be counted by tens of
thousands That in the growth Of this Government, the
subordinate ocors-those inferior officers the Const
tuition calls themthe by whom the business OF this
Government is in the mann transacted that n the Post
Office Department alone they numbcr-or at least did
last year. 0J that in the Treasury and other depart
ments, those whose appear in the official register,
generally known the Buo Book, upward Of 23oOo
and that from tho fact that many 10 not appear the
Official register the number probably is 5000, and that
their aggregate salaries are over S30OO00Oo Eou may
ask when, Why and how this great growth
Gentlemen. il is in The growth 0f the Republic.
We cannot stop this Republic from growing
aud cannot expect anything else. IL began as lte
branch Of colonies tho Atlantic coast II filed tho
valley OF the Mississippi and it is now, like the Pacific
Railroads rev growth oytcnGing along valleys OF inc
Rocky Mountains. IL win cxtend over the continent ana
cannot expect that the numbers Of ourpnDAc servants
will grow less because cannot expect tha5 the grown
of this Republic viii become less or diminished II must
grow on til the continent absorbed within this Govern
,neut AsI said this system Of appointments TO Office
by which, practically, the best men were selected ana
continued Office under The direct sanction Of the head
Of the Governments, was continued tin 1922. We all
know the consequences Of 60 az that time viii not
trust myself TO cmbody it in my ownlanguoge. The
honorable gentleman, having shown that the od system
Of appointments ana removals changed upon the ac
cession Of Cen Jackson TO the ono in vogue ever snce
which Gov. Marcy completely and apily described "heh
lie SAID that 10 the vctors belong the spo' he went
on to say that Of the consequences OF THIS change
arc the following: First, the Government formerly
served by the ellie Of the nation, Is now served TO
n very considerable extent 10y It's refuse. Ihat at
least is tie tendency Of the new system, because
mea Of intelligence, ability, and yirtuo universally ue'
sire to Il their affairs basis Of perDanence II is
the nature Of such TO make each year do something
for all tie years 20 IL is their nature 10 abAor the
arts by which Office is obtained and retained IN the
year Lord 1859. the fact OF mans holding ouce
under the Government is presumQtye evidence that he
il one Of three characters namely an adyentuer an IN
competent person, or scoundreL From TINS re4naIk
must be excepted those who hold Offices that have never
been subjected the spoils offices which nave
been taken ont Of politics" Secondly, the new system
places at the disposal Of any Government however cor
rupt horde OF creatures in every town ana county
bound body and soul TO its defense and continuance
Thirdly 10 places the disposal Of any candidate for the
Presdcrcy who has ght prospect Of success another
horde Of creatures in every town and county bound to
support bis pretonslons. ! knew an apple-woman
in Wallst. WHO had q personal nlcrest IN the
her ola man would get the place Of porter in public
warehouse The circle OF corruption embraces hundteos
takes from the Government employ6 those motives
TO fidelity which IN puvate lie are found nnlEEer-
ever can secure lin iu his place, he must he man of
ling he best out Of il While he holds it, Whatever rem
cdy may bc found in oicchodcrs must be set down to
spols system renders pure decent orderly and demo-
cratic government impossible Nor has any Gov
crument Of mcdcrn times given sucn q NOndeIul
proof of inherent strength as Is afoidea Dy inc
rotation, stin exists And what is tins principal
asked the speaker; should say this practice OF rota
Ii is merely given the persons who have Office the Op
pOrtunity Of making the most they can out OF them
Hing 10 say-and il has gained cre6ence ard weight
among the peOplethat rotation in Office is good thing.
when te PgIc5 c AN IN Of OSS M Ru the eject M Of II T 10
in V.lD
on for them and only continue in them Just as long as
.e! '|H tr3eG ont or eive mn oice 6cv Weld
their places 10 another lassequay uneducaed-equay
unit ior their positions aud who be educated for
the service while in it. at all and who leave it
their predecessors did. counting only their own gains
while in IT, and not the advantage to tho public service or
the merit to be derived from 1t, which public servant
should. Now, gentlemen. come TO the proposed remedy
for this state Of things. need not enlarge upon the
present condition OF the public service presume il
S hR9Gn to 20 gSe SSe anes s Of it might be
spersona anu Of course dc not intend TO be personal
subject Their sole regard is for the advancement Of the
public service Tue reorn wnSn @ proposed rs entirely
sweep away. toroot out all Of this system of appoint
ments for personal service Ior persohal
single object view OF the efficiency of the pubic
service il may to great many 10 be an impossible
scheme. will give yOn one reason why do not believe
be SUCH Ia this country every proposition for the
amendment OF the laws for the introduction Of any new
principle into the laws for any new plan OF administra
ion must be, in order 10 be successful susainedb by the
peopc Whatever consideration OF nOn-cOnsideratOn it
may receive from the politicians, its ultimate success or
want of be owing TO those who the
masters OF the poNclanS-ihe people CRto thtnl rom
Congress and from President appeal III tie people do
NOT Sustain me the proposed reform lost If they do
they will have u, and in order that they may have it,
why it is proposed, and for that reason,
power OF people to hear consider, and determine
uu0n an these It Is matter TO be doter
Inined oay by their aseh'S ana se..ahs. ING ultimate
result Is 10 them, and as they determine
go must their servants act. This proposition for
reform contains these elements: First that there shOnd
devised. and the means are proposed for
the best: not better may be accepted 10y which the
shall Obtain the DeSt IN tnelr subordinate
offices winch they can obtain Tor the amount OF money
which they pay for these services The compensation OF
low or mf an IL more than doube what the French
pay. Is much more than double what the North Ger
man Confederation pays IL is nOree1eept in the high
onces-tlan England pays ana while s1e mas good ser
for money, why should not WEI Applause) The
10 have this obtained is very simple. TheOreti
csy the President OF the United states - responsible Tor
evidence Cf the ability Of all the inferior officers Of the
time that theory might have been practicable 1t was
not difficult the President Of the United States
they Wee not many lie could wait till he had advces
We must remember that this Government II growing
Gbief. ST ST' even Of the Heads Of Departments
appointed by a Chief Il is impossible that he
or OF the character of the persons who should make ap
pcatom for this or that office in tie Custom House He
rely upon somebody for the information upon which
the appointment shall be made and 10 is In all the
other departments of the Government They have out
10 they derive their information thenf If should 90
into that might offend some OF my associates. You
know, perhaps well as do, how and by whom these
officers appointed This present scheme TO lay hold
Of the higher. but the subordinate officers 1t is i'm
possible for the chiefs 10 know all the details IN the ad
miustratiOn OF their officers. They must have hands,
eyes aud ears everywhere. Now, what propose h that
doorway Of admission to all these subordinate Offices,
ascertain in the first place, what qualifications each OF
these subordinate Otcers have-whether tide-walter.
gaugc storekeeper &c In the second place that having
ssccrained what qualifications for office, each Of these
have institute examination for every apply
ing these offices. Next TO that, TO establish regula
.k.n fha tho in Nxb IA duf