Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-01-03

instance is not alone where an old and experienced
clerk who had served for years on one particular
branch Of duty, and who had become learned 10 all
the laws and regulations pertaining to the same,
upon being designated for promotion as a reward
for his industry and efficiency, failed to pass the
board Of examiners, and consequently to receive
his wcll.carned promotion, because he Jailed to
satisfactorily correct certain passages OF false syn
tax, Or some other equally fatal default. No
examination is made as to bis knowledge OF the
duties upon which he is employed, probably for
the reason that the examiners know nothing Of
them themselves The standard is wrong, and
most inevitably fail to fully answer its great in
tent
One great argument of is friends is, that the
Reform is to lift the civil .eryicc into the clear
and pure atmosphere Of pa-ty independence, and
to build around the luckS oilicc.holders a wall
that shall protect them fun the rude blasts OF
political winds It's effect may be to keep few
thousand ex.rehels and d,mocrats IN Office under
a sublimely magnanimois Republican admins
tration but this wall vii tumble 10 the ground
ut the first blast Of democratic horn, as the
walls Of Jericho fell lcfore the trumpcts Of
Joshua.
Again, it is assortcdthat appointments are now
often made upon the Interested or prejudiccd rec
ommendntion Of members Of Congress. Well, IT
must be done upon Go recommendation Of some.
body. Is there any reasonable probability thai
the evil, if it exists, will be essened by trnser
ring the responsibility from members Of Congress
to a board Of Exaniners Will not the latter
gentlemen he as mach exposed - temptation and
as liable to be corrupted or controlled by improper
influences, as the lormer2 Members Of Congress
are generally men Of high character and standing
in their respective communities, and arc Away
anxiousy interested in carrying out the wishe
Of their comet itoonts under whose watehfnl eye.
they may safely be trusted IN the matter Oi rec
lamentations to Office These officers arc bu
the servants Of the people, and so far as possib'
the wishes Of the people should be respected il
their selection, especially those Of local char
acler.
An apt and forcbe illustration Of the opera
ton Of the new regime is presented in the fact
which cannot forbear to mention, that last week
The peop'c Of the largest town in the southern
part Of the state Of Vermont made an ncacctun
effort to procure a change in the Postmastershil
Of that place. The present incumbent has helC
the Office for nearly ten years. Recently pet
ton for his removal and the appointment Of an
other prominent citizen Of the place was present
Cd to the Department, signed BY more than Hine
tenfhs Of all tte BUSINESS mel NJ The place. Or
dnarily this universal demand on the par, of ,h
people would have been promptly answered.
meeting Of the entire delegation in Congress from
Vermont was held and compliance with the peti
ton would have been at once recommended Tn
incumbent however had written to one Of th
members and had received assurances that beior
action was had upon the petition he should hav
ample time and opportunity to defend his posi-
ton. This promise could not be complied with be
fore the lst Of January, when the whole questio
would come under the operation Of the new reg
ulations Under these, if the old obnoxious post
master is removed, the people will have nothing t
say as to who shall be his successor An indi-
eliminate examination Of all aspiputs who pleas
70 present themselves will be held, and the exam
ming, board composed Of entire strangers, vii
say who shall be postmaster regardless of tn
iOnyenenccs or wishes Of the people
These local offices should be made as nearl
elective as possible, and such they generally hay
oeen heretofore in Vermont When the people ar
informed, as they often will be by the opeatio
Of the Civil Service Regulations, that they ar
not competent to select their own postmaster an
ther like officers, they will, imagine, soon De
nand a reformation Of the relormers
These defects Of the new system are not tn
aults Of the gentlemen composing the commits
ion. They carried into the delicate and response
ile Discharged their duties much devotion an
'blity, and have perhaps presented as good
'cheme as the difficulties Of the subject would al
low.
Some good may come from it, but the fact vii
ltter all have to be acknowledg A,-tbet some ds
governments, 50 long as humnhty is sinful, an
evil is permitted to exist in tie world. BE If
merits what they may, they are at once to be tes
d in the crucible Of experience. By order Of III
resident they take effect to-day, and are ordere
to be faithfully applied Throughout the oountrl
Time will tell Tuoy,s