The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-01-17
WEDNESDAY EVEN'G, JAN. II, 1872.
TIE CIVIL SERVICE.

American people. The radical changes,
which the Commission recommend, may
be stunned up as follows
LIST. The ignoring of party in all appoint
ments. -.. ......a...- ....,...- .-
I'd. Taking from the Representatives of
the people, the official patronage which
they now enjoy.
Sd. Throwing open the doors of office to
all who wish to compete for positions under
the government.
The first radical change is supported by
apausible argument, showing that appoint
ments based on partizan basis, are de-
moralizing to the public service, received
no sanction from the founders of the gov
eminent, and by making an office re-
ward for services performed to party, rem
ders it impossible to secure proper per-
formance of duty ON the part of the Office
holder.
The second change, doing away with the
present system of patronage, like the first,
Is ably advocated. The distribution of pa
tronage through the representatives of the
people tends to hamper the will and judy
ment of the Executive, lower the standard
Of official independence, and create mutual
obligation on the part of the coordinate
branches of the government, which, in q
measure, defeats impartial legislation.
The third change is claimed as a matter
of justice, and as absolutely necessary to
secure for the public service the very best
and most efficient men Of the nation. The
principle points in the report are the ones
named, and on these points the country
must consider and judge it.
Already it has been widely discussed,
and the general opinion, it must be confess
ed, appears to favor it. Without excep-
ton, tie Democratic journals throughout
the land ndorse it, and the majority of the
leading Republican organs give it a quiet
approval. ...-..
Whether this approval is the result of a
careful examination of the report itself, or
suggested by the fact that the President
had approved it, and with his usual wisdom
had endorsed good plan, the future can
alone determine. The gentlemen who COM
prised the Commission, were selected be.
cause of their intelligence and integrity.
The report is what might be expected from
a number of refined individuals, whose past
experience has had little to do with that
strife and turmoil which characterize party
organization. AS theoretical plan, the
one proposed looks well, reads well, and is
well. AS practical system, we doubt its
wisdom, and believe its adoption would de-
stroy the very life of the Republican party.
That the Democratic party should en-
dorse the report, is to be expected, for un-
der its provisions Democrats have every
thing to gain, and nothing to lose. But
why the Republican party should adopt it,
is mystery which any line Of reasoning on
our part fails to unrayel. If Republican
principles are good in high places, they are
equally good in low ones. If they are bet
ter than the principles of Democrat for
the position of President, they are certain
ly better for the position of clerk. If a
foreign minister should be required to re.
fleet the doctrines of the administration
which appointed him, why not require the
same of consul, or any other agent
abroad. Party fidelity cannot compensate
for lack of ability, nor should it in appoint
ments to office hut no one will attempt
to deny that both devotion to party and the
highest order of ability can be found unitee
in the smallest village in the land. When
the people of the country endorsed the Re
publican party. it was because they
deemed it better than the Democratic
party. The latter had outgrown its useful
ness, had become corrupt, had carried thu
republic to the very brink of ruin, anC
through its leaders, had offered to srrren
der the liberties of the nation to slave.
holders rebellion. From this great danger
the country was delivered by the Republic
can party, and its present safety and future
hope, in our humble judgment, rests on thu
perpetuity of this party. If then the par
ty has done SO much to save and advanc,
the nation, is it any stretch of Imagination
to say that its adherents are better men t.
fill all the positions Of the government, thai
the followers of a party that did all i
could to betray the country, and stand,
really to carry out its original designs j
again restored to power. If we are to al
low Democrats equal chances with TIN
members of our own party on what princi
pie of justice can We maintain our party
organization We 60 before the country
claiming our party to be the shield of the
republic. We bring every legitimate in,
fluence to bear to defeat the enemy. W.
marshal the masses under our banner, ant
win glorious victory, and then place tn,
defeated over the victors. Is it reasonable
to suppose that system which permits 81
great an injustice, can add strength to apar
Ta - not mora Spnab ta tp belinyi