The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-19

The reason why they need no such proteo- |
tion Is very simple and it is worth
more than any act of Congress-namely,
that they have nothing to fear as regards
their personal interests if they do not con-
tribute towards election expenses, and no.
thing to hope if they do. Put the Govern
ment servants in this position-assure them
that their future will in no way be affected
by their giving or not giving, and we may
feel assured that they will look after their
purses perfectly we'll. If they like, aud
can afford it, they will give; if they
do not, they will not give, just like any
other citizens.
The country looks, and Justly looks, on all
the class of measures to which those we are
discussing belong, with great suspicion.
Coming close on the excitement about civil
service reform, created by recent occurrences
at Washington, and by the strong indorse-
ment of it in the Presidents message, it is
believed that they are simply points of
process by which Congressman will try either
to evade compliance with the recommenda-
tions of the Presidents message aud the
public demands, or TO make people believe
they are complying with them when in
reality they are doing nothing of the kind
The people want this matter ''re-
formed altogether" without shirking, or
dodgiDg, or shilly-shallying. They do not
want the Government clerks converted into
a.
in any way; but they do want to see the
Government business performed on business
principles and in accordance with business
ussges They want to see all Government
agents employed, and retained, and dis
charged under the influence of just the same
considerations as a railroad company or bank
ing house employs, retains, anddischarges its
agents, and they will not be content with
anything less than this, and do not seek any
thing more.
1t may be that, in the present state of party
politics, and in the face of existing party
usages, no sudden or complete change is pos
sble. But the public does not expect this
What it does expect is, that any legislation
which is attempted on the subject Govern
nent service at all shall be in the right
direction; that if it does not do all that is
needed it shall do something towards it,.
There is one step towards reform for which,
however, there is an immediate demand, and
which Congressman have absolutely no ex-
cuse for resisting and that is, the abandon
ment ON their part of the business of dis
trb1tipg patronage. This belongs of right
to the Executive. The assumption of it by
members Of Congress is gross and scandal
GUS usurpation, and recognized as such by
the best men of both houses. 1t takes away
the greater part of members time from the
Discharge Of their legitimate business, and
the country wants their time, and the whole
'of it, and will not be any longer cheated out
of it., no matter what becomes of the Govern
ment clerks. Whether tenure of Office during
good behavior, or tenure for fixed term, OF
selection by examination, or appointment by
competitive examination, be good things OIL
bad things, one thing is certain, and that il
that when the people of district pay mar
to go to Congress, it is for the purpose o.
attending to the business of legislation, ani
not for the purpose of opening an intelli
gence Office for the supply of places to need.
politicians.