Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-12-30

Constitutional grumblers and critics have I'M
doubtedly their uses in the economy of society,
but they are not altogether lovely, especially
when they combine constant clamors for reform
with systematic disparagement of every move
ment in that direction, which has in it any
promise of success. Practical men who desire
10 bring about the best possible results from
available means are apt TO consider them I'M
mitigated nuisances. The face habituauy dis
torted by a sheer may be classic and have, in a
high degree certain kind of beauty, but it is
not attractive. The New York Nation APP
pears to be edited by one OF these self COM
placent cynics who thinks everything
is going to the bad because his advice is not
valued so highly as he esteems it himself He
knows of two or three patriotic and intelligent
men, but they are, of course, not generally
appreciated. All the men who have much in
fuence in public affairs are, in his opinion
selfish, corrupt and incredibly ignorant and
stupid. Ii his present fayorites should happen
to get into power, he would no doubt discover
very shortly that he had been mistaken in them,
and would disparage them as heartily as he now
does President Grant, Mr.. Boutwell, and three or
four leading senators.
His treatment OF civil service reform and the
reformers is characteristic. So long as the as
pirations for reform found expression in essays
and speeches or bills, introduced into congress
by individual members, without any likelihood
of securing favorable consideration, the nation
{ was always ready with a scott for anybody who
professed to desire reform, but was not satisfied
with the particular measure proposed When
the president declared himself in favor of reform
in this direction and invited the attention of
congress TO the subject, the Nation might
have been expected to applaud and en-
courage him in his efforts; but in
stead it buntly denied his sincerity,
ridiculed the shallowness of his professions
and declared that be would get from congress-
just what he desired and expected-nothng at
all pertinent to the object he pretended TO have
at heart, or an eyasive measure of no practical
value. Congress provided for a commission to
prepare system of regulations for the civil SER
vice, and the president appointed as commits
sioners some OF the men whom the nation had
been in the habit of commencing as intelligent
- -. practical reformers They did their work
bid submitted TO the president system of rules
upon which they were unanimously agreed, and
which he announces that he will put in practice
immediately
Docs the Nation, either with or without an
admission that it may have erred ia denying the
presidents sincerity, express its satisfaction
that a. least something has been done towards
this reform? By no means 1t has babtually
sneered at others for doubling the efficacy Of a
particular measure" while protesting to favor
reform in general; it now derides those who ex-
pect any good from the plan now TO be tried, is
excessively amused at the idea that anybody
will accept General Grants assertions or Mr..
Curtis for him that he sincerely desires reform,
and declares roundly that, with the exception
of assessments on salaries for political
purposes, "the civil service will continue
a for the present-at all events till after
VIA next presidential electon--precisey what il
nnmepeen In times past" and that "the whols