Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-04-11

Zne Prospect of Civil Service Ke-
form.

The sudden termination of the debate
In the Senate, few weeks ago, on civil
service reform, and the quiet which ap.
parently pervades that body does not pro
mote the prospects of reform. This
silence is regretted by the friends of the
measure, because its discussion would be
OF real value to the country, as upon no
other topic connected with public affairs
is there such latitude of opinion, yet
they all agree in one respect-that some
reform is needed. There is probably
not member of either branch of Con-
gress who does not favor measures sof
reform. While this may be true, there
is little prospect of legislation by this
Congress on the subject A reason ex-
lists for this state of affairs, because ev-
cry member has his individual opinions,
or rather notions, regarding the best
method Of reform. Scarcely two of
them agree in opinion, and suggest
amendments which are precisely the OPP
posite of the others, and therefore antag-
onistic. This difference and wagering
of opinion Is illustrated by the fact that
one Senator proclaims that a method
proposed is the best in the world, yet
suggests several ways in which he thinks
it can be made better. Another promi-
Eent Senator Is equally positive that it
is the worst civil service in the world,
dissents utterly from his brother Sena-
tors antidotes and clings to his own pc
culiar plan. Hence there is little prog
ress made, and small prospect of any
system being established at present.
The system, perhaps, most generally
approved is that which is now really
undergoing experiment, and devised by
the commission appointed by the Presi-
dent. This is an elaborate system, but
has been simpliied by the commission in
tot dozen rules and regulations. 1t is in
spirit a modification of the English sys-
ten, but is in the main more adaptable,
If not more perfect, in theory than that,
and is based wholly upon the COMPETE
tive examination, and the idea of pro-
motion by grades. The latter feature is
received with more cordiality than the
former. Within certain limits there is
perhaps no valid objection to be urged
against it. There is an objection to the
competitive system, arising from the
fact that it virtually excludes from the
service poor men whose educational &C
complishments, while ample to the per
Torrance Of the duties of many offices,
are not sufficient to give them an equal
footing in the examinations. This
scheme, therefore, favors a class, and
many honest reformers are utterly OPP
posel to class legislation. If this sys-
TEN could be shown to be the
only means of legislating reform, it
would probably be adopted by Congress.
The objection sometimes urged against
she system suggested by the Commission
that it takes from the party the rewards
OF its victory as party, and that it put
the offices in the hands of the enemies
of the administration is less valid than
that made to the competitive plan. This
objection comes mainly from politicians
whose success depends more upon pat
ronage rather than brains, and springs
from the old doctrine ''to the victors be
longs the spoils." Vet this objection
has force on the grounstthat the success
full discharge or public business demands
that the government officials and the adj
ministration shall be in harmony, work
ing together and striving for the same
purpose.
This seems to be the condition of
things as they stand at present, and the
system as recommended by Mr. Curtis
and his colleagues which is open to
the objections suggested Yet it is
hoped some system of reform may be
inaugurated, even if it does not meet the
views of all, and let a fair trial bemade,
but we fear there is little to hope for at
present