The Portland daily press., 1870-07-07
DAILY PRESS.
ND.
Thursday Morning, July 7, 1870.


The Republican party In this District ha:
vndlcated its character as the party of posi-
tive principles by Incorporating into its
platform an Endorsement of the civil service
reform, while the Democracy maintains its
consistency as the party of negations by TAX
ing no position on the question except that of
"masterly inactivity. Ten years of defeat
have taughtit nothing better than the habit
of universal grumbling at e.erything, good,
bad, and Indifferent, done by the Republicans.
MIR. Lynch, On the other hand stands pledged
10 the support of this important reform, and
those who know his uprightness of character
will not fear that he will be for it until cleo
tion and against it afterward., There has
been good deal Of talk lately about the use
of patronage. Let those who want an end
put to the business, show their sincerity by
supporting a candidate whose position on this
question is not ambiguous, and whose expe-
rience, ability and fidelity, will make him a
valuable ally to any reform.
The importance of carrying out this reform
cannot be overestimated. Offices are now
pdISClCu OQb HCt W tiOsc HicI IIlOSC Ill TO ulS-
charge their duties, but to those who have the
greatest efficiency in pulling the wires This
is degrading to the public service. 1t is de-
moralizing in its effect upon the people. In
stead of keeping before their minds that their
highest political motive should be the public
good, it tends to create the impression that
politics is a personal scramble, in which every
man is to pitch in for himself and get what he
can. The best men will shrink from the de-
basing contest, and leave the..spoils of office
to those who are willing thus to soil their
hands. 1t tends to beget crawling servility
in all who hold Office by making their tenure
of Office depend not upon good behavior but
upon their faithlulness in rejecting the sent
iments and engineering the schemes of the
man who put them in Office and keeps them
there. Nothing could be more adverse to in
dependence and manliness in the holders of
subordinate positions. There could scarcely
be more relentless despotism. If all the
direful consequences of this system are not
yet visible, it is because of the inherent vigor
of popular virtue and the coercve influence
OF public opinion upon political managers.
The remedy for all these evils is to adopt
the system of competitive examinations for
all candidates for civil offices. This is no un-
tried and visionary scheme. 1t has proved
itself a success in Great Britain, and has re-
Gently been still further extended. Anyone
who wants good government place, except
under the Foreign Office, may present himself
for examination not only as to his general
abilities, but as to his special qualifications
for the position. The candidate who accord
ing to the report of the examiners is best
qualified, receives the appointment on pro-
baton of six months, so that il he is incom-
petent the fact is morally certain TO become
known. Although the incumbent may be re-
moved by the chief of The department to
which he is attached, there is little temptation
to do this on political grounds, as the superior
has no power over the appointment of sue
cessor. No such reform can be carried unless
it is pushed. II must be urged in season and
out of season. As the old Roman used to
close every speech with "Delenda est Cartha-
&C.," so lei the rallying cry of the Republican
party be REFORM IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.