The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-01-05
From the Det. Post.
The CiuU SerUfce Reform.

OCIflC6 NpulNHISSlOi ~ LululSl ullu Will
rules and regulations for the civil ser
vice, since he can apply the principle
himself TO his appointments TO and re-
movals from Office; that is, he can ap-
point and remove without reference 10
the politicians or to party exigencies or
to partisan bias, and solely with refer
ence to the good Of the service. Per-
haps the Post underestimates the task
of tearing up system whose roots strike
deep into our past partisan and political
experiences. President GRANT undoubt-
edly set out in his Presidential career
with the intention of rising superior TO
and being Independent of this system.
He may have found that the difficulty
exceeded his strength, unaided by legis.
lation and by a keener and more i'm
pressive public opinion. Perhaps as the
Post suggests, she has no policy of his
own in the matter; that he means to
carry out a civil service reform Just as
far and as fast as the people require it
of him, and not whit more so; that he
recommended the reform because the
people began to demand it, and that he
now means to carry it further since the
whole country is rapidly awaking to its
importance. Ibis view is more con
sonant with the Presidents administra.
tion of his office, and the tone of his
messages, He has waited to express
the will of the people rather than to
impress his own views upon them. In
this present case he may feel sure that
the people will sustain him in his efforts
to purify the service. They are for re.
form. They desire that the public duties
shall be discharged efficiently, compe-
tently, anu that public servants shall be
appointed and retained to that end
There is really no reason why the Pres
idcnt should not adopt civil service
reform 1t will strengthen him and
not weaken him. AS the Ecen,ng Post
suggests "the only bond of union which
the leading opponents of his reelection "
or his denomination We suppose it means,
"have, is this reform on all other
questions there is more or less division
among them 1t thinks the wisest
course for him to pursue is to adopt the
civil service reform as his peculiar
measure, and to press it forward vigor-
ously. Should ne, it adds, carry it out
in entire good faith, SO that the Offices
shall not be used to control State and
local politics and party organizations, it
is not easy to see where there is any
prospect of successfully opposing his
election.
The New York Times, which sup.
ports the Administration, praises the in.
production of the civil service reform
bill into Congress, and thinks 1t will not
encounter a very formidable opposition.
Still, active politicians profess to be very
much in favor Of civil service reform,
but are not in favor of the consequences
to themselves. The prospect Of their
having no Offices to distribute IS a rather
dismal one for some persons who now
occupy prominent positions "If
Offices" it says, "are only to be given OF
those who deserve them, perhaps Con-
gressmen and others will soon come to
be elected solely on their merits and
then what would be the fate cf some who
at present hold seats :n The "infu.
ence' of a politician. it continues is too
often measured exclusively by the num-
Der of nice places lie can get for his
friends. SO that many aspiring poll
ticians will not much relish the prospect
of civil service reform based on competi.
tive examination" In New York a
great outcry is made about the removal
of officials from the custom house to suit
the interests of cliques or parties. Yet
Senator FENToN would do the same thing
tomorrow, if he had control. The heads
Of the "CoNKLINe men would tumble
off as fast as the ak could move. The
Times says it is for abolishing this sys.
tenn "root and branch" withoutIreference
to who may gain or who may lose, and
the people will sustain the Administra-
tion in honest, hearty, and thorough
work in that direction. The President
must receive the effective support of
Congress, which he has not done as yet.
The triumph over Tammany has aroused
the people to this subject, and Congress
will find it well to lrespond to this feel
ing.
The kind of pressure" to which the
President has been subjected, and the
kind Of responsibility which politicians
often feel in regard to their appoint.
ments, and of which be complains in his
message, is illustrated by an anecdotc
told by the Hartford Coaraat 4
gentleman once urged the appointment
of an acquaintance to some Office and
soon after was himself called to the head
OF that department. lie refused to ap-
point the person he had before recon-
mended, because he said it was another
matter when he had the responsibility
of filling the Office, and he could not
conscientiously make the appointment.
n gentleman once said to Gen. GRANT,
q Mr. Drosidcpt ,yt,. ,1o,sA ,.o,, or,,o.;nt