Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-11-22
CIVIL SERUCE.

The President has adhered to his reso-
luton expressed to Senator Cameron in
relation to the Philadelphia post office,
having appointed Mr.. Fairman. the assist
ant postmaster, under the civil service
regulations. Thus the President meets the
expectations of the people, and maintains
by his act the promises of the party which
elected him. The reform of the civil ser
vice may henceforward be considered fair
ly instituted, and viii be accepted as a
part of the administration policy. The
measures adopted for the trial of the new
system will doubtless need change as they
are tested in practice, but the reform it.
self, sanctioned by the platforms of both
parties in the late campaign, upheld by the
unanimous voice of the press, and sustain
ed by the administration, can never 30
backward. The motive of the opposition
in urging the reform is apparent under all
its professions Of desire for the public
good. Their hope is that it win prove
mischievous and weakening to the party
in power, lessening the Influence OF its
prominent members, and creating deep
and wide dissatisfaction among their con-
stituents. Possibly there are some ropub-
licans who believe like Senator Carpenter
that it is a delusion and folly. but the bet
ter opinion among them is that reform is
needed and should be entered upon in
some way. An expression so emphatic as
the voice of all the voters in the country
in favor of reform is one that means some
thing and cannot safely be disregarded.
And since the people have declared for
reform, they will of course accept the
workings of the new policy, and sustain
those who are engaged in carrying it out
Those who asked for its adoption should
not complain if in the revolution they suf-
fer Inconvenience or loss of place. The
Pennsylvania gentlemen who desired an
other postmaster than the one appointed
in Philadelphia, will remember that the
national convention held in that same city
in June last, pledged itself to reform that
not voice was raised against it, and that
the State endorsed the same In November
with grand majority for Grant and what
can they do except to say that the Prcsi
dent is right? There is public sense of
the necessity and rightfulness ofthis move
ment, SO underlying and upholding it, that
we believe, contrary to the hopes and ex-
peetations of the democrats and liberals. If
will prove an element of strength rather
than weakness to the President and the re
publican party. The dispensation of pat
ronage is not all that a party requires to
continue its existence. 1t needs To show
itself a party OF principle, having regard
to justice and right, mindful Of tho public
veal rather than the pampering of favor
ties, and then it will live and flourish. The
democratic party had almost interrupted
control Of the government down TO 1861,
and yet in all that time il never lifted q
hand 10 reform the civil service, but CON
tnued and multiplied the evils fastened
upon it by democratic administrations.
leaving them for the present time to prap-
pie with. Let the President and Congress-
take hold OF this reform in honesty and
sincerity, and though there may be some
malcontents, the reform will be sustained
by the pablo voice, and the administration
come off victorious in worthy cause.