Weekly Trinity journal., 1872-01-27
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHlNGToN, Jan. II, 1872.
CIVIL SERVICE REFoRM.-WHAT DOES
In MEAN?

+
either on the score of ability or efficiency.
| do not hesitate to state upon the author
ity of gentlemen who made personal ex-
animation Of the German and English
Civil Service, that our Civil officers excel
in executive and administrative ability.
We have never been wanting, either in
peace or in war, in that natural adapta-
bility which produces the right thing at
the proper time and place.
The only change which can be justly
urged against the Service is thattoo many
use their offices to accumulate private
fortunes, either by direct dishonesty or by
! indirect means. To make a correct esti-
mate of the amount thus lost, it is neccs-
sary to eliminate the changes made for
party effect only, and when this is done
the actual amounts lost by defalcations
and dishonesty are by no means as for
mdable as is supposed.
But admitting that the amount Of dis
| honesty in all branches Of the Civil Ser
vice should be reduced to the minimum,
and that earnest efforts should be made
to that effect, our statesmen and the peo-
pie should study well both the causes of
said dishonesty and the proper remedies.
Among the causes of dishonesty are
Firstly, general laxity Of public senti-
ment that does not in any relation Of life
visit with sufficient reprobation the per-
sons who have amassed wealth by dis
honest means. Secondly, the laxity of
the action OF our Courts and juries that
do not administer the law with sufficient
certainty-holding out reasonable pros
poet to every successful rascal to escape
the pcnitentary. Thirdly, the INSULT
cheney Of the salaries paid to prominent
and responsible officers, and the insecurity
of office tenure.
1t is now proposed to remedy this state
Of affairs by taking the appointing power
out Of the hands Of the President and the
Heads of Departments to whom the Con-
stitution and the laws have assigned it,
and place it into the hands Of series Of
Examining Boards composed Of inferior
officers. We doubt exceedingly whether
an examination by these officials, based
/ upon technical or book knowledge as it
necessarily must be, would give US a
higher standard Of ability or efficiency !;
but that they would not be able to nfuse
II higher degree Of integrity and response
bility is certain.
In these circumstances the labors Of the
Civil Service Commission may be con-
sidcred as mi-dircctcd, and the President,
who only adopted their report provision
ally, will no doubt alter it to suit the cx-
igcncies of the case. There is no doubt
but that the President and all the Repub-
lican statesmen are desirous to establish
an improved Civil Service, but the clamor
of the Democracy cannot induce them
either to commit political suicide or to
make the Service worse by trying exotic
experiments.
SOUTHERN EDITORS MOVING.
The annual meeting Of the Southern
Republican Press Association, Wednes-
day evening, was quite success, and
was represented through large number
Of leading editors of the South. Officers
for the ensuing year were elected, as fol-
lows: President, L. G. Carpenter, s. c.;
Secretary and Treasurer, c. l.. Grady,
ID. c.; Vice residents, Arthur Bingham,
Ala, ii. j. Patton, Ark, II. NJ. Kelly,
Ky; Corresponding Secretary, Charles
Murphy, w. Va; Executive Committee,
Arthur Bingham, Ala, Edward Daniels,
Va, w. l.. Scruggs, Ga, G. w. Mason,
n. c., and j. NJ. Morris, d. c., upon
whose action will depend much of the
efficiency Of the Southern press during
the year.
a Constitution and Bylaws were a.
dopted and delegation was appointed to
visit the President and present to him the
result of the deliberations of the associa-
ton, which was done yesterday to the
satisfaction of all concerned President
Carpenter introducing the delegation and
cordial reception and lengthy interview
being accorded them.
The delegation was also invited to con-
fer with the National Republican Execu-
tive Committee during its session yester-
day upon matters concerning the political
situation Of the South and Of the Southern
Press. The Executive Committees paid
their respects also to Secretary Boutwell,
yesterday, by whom they were courteous
ly received and their suggestions cheer
fully noted for future action.
PRESIDENTIAL CONVENTION.
The Ebbitt House was filed yesterday
with delegations from various parts of the
country solicitous of obtaining the Con-
vention to be held ut their respective To-
calities-Philadelpha, Cincinnati and st.
Louis. These, together with numerous
members Of the National Republican Ex-
ecutive Committee, crowded the hotel
before and after the session of the Com
mittee, which fixed June 9th as the time
and Philadelphia as the place for holding
the Convention. Great interest was man
ifested during the sessions Of the Com
mttce and the delegations had sessions in
different rooms. Good humor prevailed
and the opposition to different places was
all of IA courteous character. Other bust
ness of Importance was transacted regard
ing the welfare of the Republican party.
WoMAN's SUFFRAGE CONVENTION.
The women suffragists are now here in
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