Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-11-29
Civil Service Reform.

If President Grant comes out of the present
struggle in which he is engaged he will be en-
titled to the vlctor's wreath. The recent ap-
pointment of Mr. Fairman TO be Postmaster at
Philadelphia, TO FIJI the vacancy made by the
resignation Of the former incumbent, has rails
ed nest of hornets about his ears and he may
have trouble in driving away these insects.
The vacancy had no sooner occurred than n
knot Of Pennsylvania politicians, headed by
the immaculate Cameron, posted off to Wash
ington to secure the appointment of Mr.. Tru-
man. OF course, Cameron wanted TO secure
Truman to his interest. But the chest laid
schemes o. mice and men, aft gang aplee. - and
each OF these gentlemen returned 10 the city OIL
Brotherly Love with toerable sized flea in
his ear. Before retiring, however, the Presi.
dent said
"Gentlemen, do not well see how it would
be proper FOR me to set aside the rules and reg
uiatons of the civil service regulations.
some time ago, determined to enforce these
regulations on every proper occasion. What
nave we here There are two candidates pro-
scented, both Republicans; one of them, Mr.
fHifman, has been an employee of the Pbla-
delphia postoihce for some time, and am sat
nea nc is fnlly competent 10 discharge the du-
tics OF Postmaster. If ! was disposed 10 set
aside the civil service rules and go outside, ]
might appoint Mr.. Truman, but cannot con-
scientiously do this"
The delegation then left the White House
A correspondent of the Philadelphia Press
says ''All the way from the While House to
Wizards Hotel the disappointed crowd cursed
the civil service rules and regulations Not a
fi.nun Of 1, L., 4
The good humored Theodore Walton who
WAS for Fairman and therefore felt happy,
said, There is no use 10 denouncing the Pre-
sident; he is in for four more years and you
can't hurt him. 'tWell," was the response
''if we can hurt him. | guess we can do
something with his next friend, and he amt
IN yet" This remark came from a member of
the Legislature. "Who is his next friend ~
was question which met with the answer,
''Why, General Cameron, of course, and be-
lieye he might have made this for us if he had
tried; he never said word, but let Stokeley
do all the talking'
Another of the party remarked "This is
what we get for working like the devil TO elect
Grant and for risking term in the work
house TO carry the city for liartranft" Some
OF the more enraged of the party went so far
as 10 say III the civil service rules and reg
nlations were applied to Grant I'll be =
This is not very fair exhibit for the homes
ty Of the party assailng the President. Civil
service reform was plank laid down in the
Philadelphia platform. To be thus met at the
threshold in opposition to its requirements by
the very men who pretended to be its warmest
supporters, argues badly in favor of either
their honesty or sincerity. The dilemma is
awkward and they may hang on either horn
But what will honest people think of the men
who are endeavoring to force the President to
violate rule he pledged himself TO support if
reelected, and rule, too, which they promis-
ed to support.
Now civil service reform means something
or it means nothing According to our un-
Outstanding it, it is fitness for position, to
be ascertained by competitive examinations.
and If this fitness is found in the subordinate.
then he is promoted. To this none can object.
II the rules are rigidlv carried out, it will en-
sure more competent officials, and public af-
fairs will be better administered. Honesty is
much needed. We heard an intelligent gen.
tleman remark, day or two since, he could
stand the administration of Grant, bu, he did
not like the idea of paying taxes two or three
times over
1t will, require all the nerve Gen. Grant pos
sesses to maintain himselfin THIS fight. The
crucial test has not yet come. After the 4th
OF March when the hungry come to be filled
backed as they will be by the members of
Congress, then will come the tug of war. Eli
ther Grant or those who oppose him must
yield. The public will await the result with
anxiety.