The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-12-14
Civi! Service Reform.

The question of imbuing our civil
service with more of efficiency, homes
ty and economy, has excited much
discussion for year past, and has
now aroused a widespread interest,
which bodies the best results. To Mr..
Jenckes, of Rhode Island, belongs
the credit of first bringing the ques-
ton tangibly before Congress. The
plan of civil service reform, contem-
plated in his bill, was to make qualifi
cation and fitness the test of accepta
bility. 1t provided for competitive
examinations of candidates, and linn
tied appointments to such as should
have successfully passed the ordeal
1t also intsnded that faithfulness and
efficiency, and not political opinions,
should be the condition of continu-
anoe in the public service. One oe
the fundamental objects of Mr. Jenckes
bill was to kill the much abused Gus
tom of making the public offices the
mere rewards for political service 1t
is not strange that Ralicalism should
have frowned down tho bill.
Senator Schurz also made himself
prominent, last winter, by his advoca-
cy of reform in this direction His
bill provided for the appointment by
the President, with the consent of the
Senate of civil service board of COM
missioners, who would prescribe the
qualifications requisite for appoint
ment into each branch and grade of
the civil service, and examine appli-
cants for such positions, excepting
Judges and Clerks of the United
States Courts, members of the Cabi-
net, ministers to foreign countries,
and officers of the Senate and House
of Representatives; and thereafter all
other appointments of civil officers
were to be made from persons who
had been found duly qualified under
the regulations established by Board.
Appointments by heads of depart
ments were to be made in the order
of seniority and merit. Officers ap-
pointed ON recommendation of the
Board were to be appointed for twelve
years, but of the first nine appointed
three were to 60 out every four years.
Their salaries were fixed at $4,000
per annum, woman to be equally elig-
ible with men for examination and ap.
pointment to all Offices they can fill
equally Well The bill was not acted
upon.
Senator Trumbull is another aglt,:-
tor for civil service reform. The Sen
.ator has announced that he will soon
bring forward bill embodying his
views in the premises. His bill, says
the Chicago Times is merely propo-
sition to make it an offence punis liable,
&c, for any Senator or Congressman
to recommend any person for appoint
ment. unless requested so to do by the
President, or head of department,
and that then the recommendation
shall be made in writing. 1t
amounts to nothing. Its only effect,
in the event of its passage; would be
to prevent Congressman f'om distl RIB
ing their recommendations and prom
ises of favor promiscuously among
the horde of office-seekers by whom
they are beset. 1t might give some
relief to Congressman but it would
not afford the slightest remedy for the
evil that i,ost needs cure. 1t would
not exchange partisan dirty work for
capacity and fitness as qualifications
for the public service. 1t would not
remove dishonesty and incapacity in
the present; it would not assure hon
esty and capacity in the future. As
regards the civil service, it would ac-
complIsh no reform
President Grant has been the means
unwittingly, of warming mp the peo-
pie to a keen interest in this practlcle
subject. A few weeks ago, one of
the most valuable officers in the pub
lie service, who had earnestly striven
to promote honesty and efficiency in
his department, found his office inva-