Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-13
Enemies of civil service Reform.


Civil service reform is rather hardly beset just
now. Between its protested friends and its
avowed enemies the measure now on trial has
not bright prospect before il. The newspapers
which have taken this reform under their special
championship secuted the present measure as
soon as it was proposed, because, as they
claimed, it is faally defective in allowing re-
moyals at discretion and making no provision
for testing the qualifications of persons now in
office Though enthusiasts for civil service re-
form in general, they can see no good in this
particular measure, and are unwilling that it
should even have a trial. Still more emphatic
are the expressions of contempt and dislike from
another set of people, chiefly congressman and
newspaper writers prompted by or under
taking to speak for them. Mr.. Car
penter proclaims his purpose TO attack in
the senate this --latest popular humbug." Mr..
Banks ingeniously stigmatizes il as the Chinese
system. A gentleman from South Carolina says
that his section Will never submit to such an
outrageous attempt TO establish class distinc-
tons; Mr.. Gorham, of California, declares that
the new test win be justly regarded by the
great majority of the American people,; who
have received common school education only,
as an attempt 10 put upon them and their chill
dren DEGRADING badge of inferority, and Mr..
Fulton, of Maryl nd, says that any test of fit
ness for office, which disregardS politics. is in
consistent with the implied obligation assumed
by those who consent to become candidates of
the republican party.
These are rather violent attacks upon sys-
Of.
tentions as remedy for evils whose existence
almost everybody readily admits. These as
saulrs, Of course, are entirely disnterested'
These actual or eXpectant congressman are not
afraid of losing their patronage; they are actu-
AIRED by higher motives. Mr.. Wallace of South
Carolina would perhaps be personally gratified
to see the new system prevail, but his section
will not submit to it, and he, like faithful rep
resentative, declares its will. Ii is true that re-
form of any kind is not popular with the dom
inant party in South Carolina, and it is not likely
that many OF his constituents know what civil
service is. Mr.. Banks, however, has different
constituency, who know what he is talking about,
and are able to appreciate the force of his obiec-
tions. Do they think he is candid when he
says that this is not an administration measure,
but the president has been driven to accept it by
the clamor of democrats and disaffected repub-
hcans2 If anybody could believe that this
declaration was made by authority, it would
be more damaging to the presidents reputation
for sincerity and fair dealing than anything
which his enemies can say against him. The
fact is, however, that General Grant believes in
this scheme and is determined it shall have a
far trial. We know his resoute temper and be-
leve he will have his way in this thing, notwith-
standing the attempts to discourage or oppose
him. There are elements of good in the plan
which should have an opportunity 10 accomplish
their work. Some abuses will undoubtedly be
corrected by it, though the system is not perfect,
and its operation may be attended with some
drawbacks and will not probably accomplish all
that its sanguine friends expect Its defects will
be exposed by practical trial and can then be
corrected. In the meantime as an honest and
intelligent effort for reform in which the whole
country is concerned, all good citizens should
watch its progress with friendly interest.