Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-12-21
Civil SERVICE Reform.

The president announces that, with the open
ing of the new year, he will put in operation the
new scheme of civil service recommended by
the commission, of which Mr. George William
Curtis is chairman. The regulations for APP
pointments TO office, which we published yester-
day, embody all the features Of the plan yet set
tied. Many details will need to be elaborated
before practical efficiency can be given 10 it.
The credit of this reform is largely due to the
president. He has recommended it repeatedly
in his messages to congress; the act authorizing
the commission which has just reported was
passed in compliance with his recommends
tons; he appointed the commissioners, select
ing for that purpose some of the most intelli-
gent and earnest advocates Of reform; he has
consulted with them while their deliberations
were in progress, and his suggestions are known
to have been valuable; he now declares that he
will be governed in his appointments by these
regulations, and urges upon congress the pro-
priety of enacting such laws as will make the
system obligatory upon his successors 1t has
been the fashion with certain editors and others
to sheer at President Grants protested desire for
reform as insincere, and assumed for no other
pun HOoN lAluu " b1iuuS INT pCOplC VIII
specous promises. Those who have per-
sisted in tins style of comment are perhaps
satisfied of its injustice We expect that con-
gress will give the president the legislation
which he asks. 1t might be difficult to pass any
such bill as that of Mr.. Jenckes', or any other
presented rs the work of an individual or a com
mittee of congress. The real practical difficult
ties with which the subject is beset with the
diverse views as TO the best methods of over
coming them, as well as the reluctance of con-
gressmen TO relinquish their political patronage
TO which, however, we do not give so much
weight as is assigned TO it, all cooperate to OBJ
struet the passage Of any such measure, how
ever skiliully prepared. The shape in which the
present system presents ITSELF with the general
popular feeling in favor of reform, the influence
of the administration in its support and the as
surance that it will take effect Immediately, with
or without congressional action, will probably
secure votes enough TO pass the laws needed to
put the new system on permanent basis
The adoption of this system will not, we sup
pose, for some time at least, make any notice
able difference in the manner in which the ex-
eeutive business is done. The civil service is
now generally honest and efficient, with some
exceptions, of which the New York custom
house, partaking of the corruption which has
long infected everything connected with politics
in that city, is probably the most fragrant. The
business Of the public offices in Washington and
elsewhere throughout the country is, we have
reason to believe, done well, with promptness,
intelligence and integrity, although many wri.
tiers on this subject, we are aware, asst luously
cultivate very different impression But, al.
though we are not to expect conspicuous results
in that part Of the public service upon which
the measure seems to bear most directly, it
is not safe 10 infer that its effects
will be unimportant. If thoroughly enforced.
il will have very great influence, greater than
most Of its advocates or opponents seem TO
realize, upon the machinery and probably upon
the spirit Of our politics By removing from DO
litical control the post offices, clerkships and
many other minor and some important offices
IL will considerably reduce the number of active
political workers. When such places are no
longer the reward Of political services or 10 be
obtained through political influence, the motive
which impels to exertion many of those who
manage our political affairs for us, will cease to
operate. When it is unlawful and at the same
time brings no personal advantage for officials
to contribute money for political purposes, the
principal source from which political organiza-
tons now draw their supplies for Legitimate and
Legitimate expenditure will be cut off.
Many OF the special advocates Of civil service
reform claim these changes as among its great
est benefits, and the people generally will be dis
posed to agree with them. Down with the mol.
iticiansiD is always popular cry. We hone
these expectations viii be realized, and in some
respects, no doubt, the removal Of politics from