The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-12-14
REFORM.


ers, who should examine all applicants
for positions in the civil service Of the
United States. The bill stated further
that these persons thus qualified, should
retain their positions through life or
good behavior. There is more wisdom
in this bill than appears at first sight. 1t
would take from the Presidency that
great load, the appointment of officers
every fourth year. 1t would also take
from the President. that political patron
age, which does so much to degrade our
civil service. The President would not
have the power to dismiss from the pub
lie service, honest, faithful servants, be-
cause their politics differ from his.
Strange to say this bill was lost. Every
one knows the defects of the present
system, and any person of average era
mum must see what an advantage this
bill would carry with it. One of the ar
guments for the present system is that
the administration would have subordin-
ates, agreeing with it, that the whole
machinery of government moves along
more tremendously than it could posi-
bly,, by the new way. One very hard
thing about it, it would deprive the Ad-
ministrasion Of the power Of taxing the
poor subordinates of the government
five per cent for campaign purposes.
While the bill was under discussion in
the Senate, one Of the western Senators
said ''No true American would vote for
this BILL Shall it be said that the Con-
gress of the United States has passed
this bill so antagonistic to our constitu
ton? This bill, if carried into effect,
would reyolutionize our Government. In
less than twenty-five years, there would
be an aristocracy in the city of Washing
ton" That bill, if carried into effect,
would give to the Government honest,
capable officials, and would retain them
in their places in spite of an incoming
administration of an opposite political
creed. IF aristocracy is the name of that
article, then arlstocracy is just the thing
that we want
have as great respect for the acts of
our forefathers, as any American, or any
other man, yet | cannot but think that
when they founded the Civil Service Of
this country, they made great mistake,
in not founding it on the same plan as
the military, or naval influences. Our
naval and military services are organized
upon the highest principles of prudence
and foresight. They are about the only
examples which we have in this country,
Of that principle which has made Eng
land what she is and given to China her
long life. In the military or naval ser
vice schools are established where appli-
cants for positions are educated, whence,
ifqualifed, they are sent to their respec-
tive services, given low positions at first,
from which. by good behavior, they can
rise to the highest positions. Our coun-
try is protected bybrave, able and experien-
ced officers. By this system our country
has produced some of the best Generals
of this, or any other age. The same can
be said OF our naval service. Look at
the long line of heroes who have defend
| ed American liberty on the ocean and tell
me if they can be surpassed.
How beautiful, how systematic, is
everything in those two divisions of the
Public Servicel How irregular, how chao-
tic IS the civil service! Things have come
tosuch pass that our Governm ent has
achieved the unenYiable notority Of being
the most corrupt of enlightened nations,
with but one exception Russian
We know of a United States officer in
our city who pretends to work for the
Government, draws pay for twenty-eight
days service, while no only works six
days at the most.
Good citizens look with alarm upon the
spread of partizan feeling, they see with
fearful eyes that it is communicating two
departments, that of Education, and that
of the judiciary. All parties acknowl-
edge that these should be kept from the
corrupting irduence of parties Every
man who occupies position In either Of
those departments is elected on a party
ticket. Is it very desirable to have
Circuit Judge who has been elected after
hot canvass, and who is bound to work
for his party friends? His oath forbids
him to do it, but it is human nature for
one to help them that help him. Our
common school system is affected in the
same way. Last year Samuel Fallows,
a good officer, received the nomination
for State Superintendent of instruction,
by next year he Will be so that he thor
oughly understands the duties of ibis
office, has just got the ''reins in his
hands. Next year he must stand the
chance of being thrown out of his office,
and have new man take his place, or
'canvass'' the State losing one or two
months of his precious time. We have a
very good example in our own county.
Two years ago, Mr.. Kirwan was elected
County Superintendent of schools. He
performed the duties of his Office in an
admirable manner. Very soon his term
expired and he was re-nominated and
elected by his party. Now Mr.. Kirwan
would be bound to give his influence to
his party. if he were not man of the
highest principle. The only preventa-
tive, in my humble opinion, is, that the
term of Office should be increased from
two years to FIVE years.
The object ofour constitution is panaa-
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