The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-01-26

proval in many newspapers. It Is to the
eject that, though . member Of Pariia- r
ment he can not inAusnce the appoint
ment Of a.single' olas;k in any department.
Of the Government This may be, 90 far
as it goes an excellent thing. Members
of Parliament having NO personal or po-
htical interest in the ciIl officers of the
Government. may deal more impartially
with them and may exact more rildly q
proper performance Of their duties and
they may escape much annoyance and
trouble in pushing candidates for subor-
dinate Offices This much may be good.
But many feathres of the English sys-
tenn are altogether bad and anti -RepubI-
can Such 2 system ought not to be a.
dbpted in the United States, and will not
be tolerated by our people: The Eng
lish civl-service is slow, effete ,unac-
|comodating. crochety, full Of all manner
|of red tape and martinetinm the mem
bers of the civil service form q caste as
strict as that of the officers of the reg,i-
lar army. besides being pronder and
meaner. Every avenue to this service is
guarded by the 'ins" with the utmost
vigilance. Their friends their relative,
more particularly their sons, arr sure to
pass the best examinations, and sure to
ill all vacancies, until the civil servicehas
become close and crusty corporation.
We want no such system in America.
We do, however, want better system
than we now have. Secretary Boutwell,.
IN his thoughtful, practical way, has
sketched some features of such system.
These. with others, form an outline of
what we deem to be proper American
civil-service system. Daifi,1gf .tl.nga,ino
| I These comprise, Arst: A rigid exami-
nation Of all candidates, both as TO tapa-
city and to character. This examination
should extend, not only through the De-
partments, but to all the principal revenue
and customs officers of the land, and per-
haps, also, to the postmasters at leading
points. These examinations will cut off
the majority Of incombstent aspirants
Second: The aptitude Of candidates
should be decided upon by the head of
the Departement or q proper board Of Of
icers in the Department It viii not un-
frequently happen that . young man Of
sufficient knowledge and general ability
for position win lack facility or other
qualities requisite to the particular duties
of that position. He may be deficient in
system; in aptitude for particular duties;
in energy, in tact, in sagacity, in hrmness
to enforce laws or regulations, or in other .
qualities, the lack Of which no examina-
ton will reveal When actual service has
brought these defects to light, the man
should be dismissed from public service.
though there be no fault in character or
faithfulnesa For this reason there should
be o provision for the speedy andeasy re-
nOval Of such persons without public
examination or trial This power should
be vested in the head Of each Department,
or in board Of officers of which the
head is one. This power Of removal
should also be given to secure the proper
subordination Of employees in the public
service. When the head Of o Department
has not the control, an obstinate clerk
may retard business or block reform for
months, his sometimes happened in the
English service a. -''''' ''o." ''' = :'i' +"
II Third: A lie tenure III 3 not desirable able y
as a rule. The introduction ofnew men
secures additional energy and eficiency."',a
There is no greater reason for life tenure
in the Departments than in the business
houses Of bankers and importers Conn
petept and experienced men win natural
y be kept as long ss they can be. To
such in private business are held out
hopes Of increased salary or Of ultimate,
partnership; but there is also the or- d.
pOate incentive namely; that inefdciency b.
will bring speedy discharge. So our
Government should provide for prompt
discharge for insubordination or ipefi-,
ciency, and should ohsr toy long and :,
fithful service the incentive M increased
salary, and to those who remain IN hlith-