The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-05
Gpemi,lg State Sultrnal.
OWL SERVICE REFORM.

The reform If the civil service has been
largely talked of and written about for
many years plst. Within the last year
several bills aave been introduced into
Congress looking to this end. The mode
proposed is substantially the same in all Of
them The candidates for all appoint
ments are to be examined by compe-
tent and unprejudiced board. Free COM
petition is secured to every American
youth, for all civil appointments. The
scale of proficiency and ability is rigidly
marked, and every candidate reads his
chances of promotion. in the place he oc-
cupies there.
This is good enough SO far as it goes,
and would at least rid the government of
much worthless trash now imposed upon
it. 1t would open to capable young men
and women an opportunity to improve
themselves and turn their talents to ac-
count in the service Of the country. The
departments might be made most valuable
educational instrumentaities. The labor
of clerks rarely taxes the mind so
severely as to interfere with the success
full prosecution of professional or other
studies. The opportunities of the Ma
tional Capitol are equal to all needs.
It's great libraries, covering all science and
literature its collections and botanical
gardens, including every branch of natural
history its patent Office, epitomizing the
inventions of the world the National
Legislature where the expressed intellect OF
the nation displays its best powers-these
are open to every aspiring youth who re-
sides in Washington. And this combna-
tion of advantages can be found in
no other place on the continent. 1t
is sad to see how these supreme condi-
tions of intellectual development arc
neglected by the class of persons usual
ly employed in the civil service.
There are many noble exceptions, but too
often the appointees devote their leisure to
frivolous and even proAigate pleasures.
This has been especially charged upon the
female employees but it is just to say,
that although many worthless, ignorant
and even disloyal women now occupy
places in the departments, they will COM
pare favorably, as class, in all respects
with the male employees.
The reform that is now needed in the
civil service is of radical and sweeping
character. The government cannot afford
to make its administrative functions hos
pitals for the support of broken down po-
litical hacks, or respectable old ladies and
gentlemen, without ample meaus of sup
port, or even of charming young ladies,
whose bewitching smiles have softened the
austere patriotism of an influential Sena-
tor to recommend them for positions for
which plain merit had asked in vain.
The country has right to demand that
these great opportunities shall not be vast
ed upon the frivolous and undeserving
that they shall be SO conferred as to secure
to it the fullest returns: First, the imme-
diate result of faithful and efficient service
second, the incidental and remoter result
of rearing race of capable and educa-
ted statesmen. In any proper civil SER
vice reform both these ends should be Sc
cured land they are not only compatible with
each other but essential counterparts. The
government will get its best servics from
vigorous, progressive minds who improve
their means of intellectual advancement to
the utmost. Men who use the opportuni-
ties of the Capitol only to enjoy life, as
they say, and who stop growing when they
have attained frst-class clerkship, will
soon become worthless even for that.
In addition to the original examination
required of all candidates for civil APP
pointments, there should be annual exami-
nations Of incumbents, both with view
to promote the meritorious and to displace
all persons who have ceased to improve.
The hope of promotion, as the reward
of studious efforts to improve, would be a
healthful stimulus, and in some cases it
might well be supplemented by fear of
losing place altogether.
The Republican party owes to!itself and
the country a faithful renovation ofasAe
civil service, and we indicate our convic-
tion as to what it should be in general
way:
1st. Open competition.
I'd. Appoint only the best.
Sd. Appoint only live Republicans
vigorous, earnest, faithful men.
THE Virginia City tNevada) Enterprise