The Placer herald., 1872-08-10
GREELEY ON CIVIL SERVICE REfORM.

Schurz, asking Greeley's ideas on Civil Ser
vice Reform, the latter replied as follows;
New YoRK, July 8, 1872.
Ny DEAR SIR:-Yours of the 29th ult
Only reached ME three days ago. respond
as promptly as | may. l pass over the al
lusion to my political associates, barely re-
marking that an imputation so vague can
never be specifically repelled. Charity is
virtue rarely exemplied in politcs; and most
men live and die in the undoubtins convic-
ton that their political opponents are the
greatest scoundres unhung. l trust that
my age and Your experience have lhled US
above such prtjudices, enabling us to realize
that the many sincerely desire the greatest
public good, even when most mistaken III
their choice of means. ! know who my
friends are better than my traducers do, and
no scrutiny as to the integrity on patriotism
of any to whom give my confidence And,
should any sucn ever seek TO swerve me from
the path of rectitude, they would cease to be
regarded by me as friends.
The problem of civil service reform is rem
dered difficult by msalliance between the
Executive and Legislative branches of our
Federal Government Those members OF
Congress who favor the Administration hah-
itually claim and are accorded a virtual mo-
nopoly of the Federal offices in their respec-
tive States or districts, debating appointments
and removals as interest or caprice may sug-
gest. The President appoints at their bid
ding; they legislate in subservience TO his will,
often in opposition to their own conviction.
Unless all history is unmeanug, This conlu
sion of Executive with Legislative respon.i-
bilities and functions could not fail to dstem
per and corrupt the body polite hold the
eligibility of our President to reelection is
the main source of his corruption. A Presi-
dent should be above the hope of future ia
vor, the fear of alternating powerful, ambi
tious partisans. lie should be the official
chief, not of party, but of the Republic.
He should dread nothing but the accusing
voice of history and the ineXorable judse
ment of God. He should fully realize and
never forget that Congress in its own sphere
is paramount and nowise amenable to his
supervision, and that the heariest goodwill
to his Administration is perfectly compatible
with the most pointed dissent foom his incul-
cation on the very gravest questions in iinaHce
or political economy
"It is the first step that costs Let il
be settled that President is not to be reel
lected while in Office, and civil service il no
longer difficult. He Il need no organs, no
subsidized defenders. lie will naturally Sc
lect his chief counseors from among the
wisest of his eminent fellow-ciizens, regard
less alike Of the ''shrieks of loyalty and the
| 10, e col6,L ,nl;.y IJo viii InNn
no interest to conciliate, no chief of a power
ful clan to attach to his personal fortunes
He will be impeled to appoint, as none viii
deny that he should appoint, men OF ripe ex-
perence in business and eminent me camille
capacity to collect, keep, and dshurse the
revenue, instead Of dexerous manipuators
of primary meetings and skillfu traffickers III
delegates to nominating conventions. BENG
no longer an as lirant TO place, the President
will naturally aim to merit and secure the APP
probation of the entire people, but especially
ofhe eminently wise and good. AS to the ma
chinery of boards Of examiners, etc. whereby
he details of vlservice reform are 10 be ma-
tured and perfected il defer to the judgement
Of Congress unperyerted by the adulterous
commerce in legislation and appointments,
which | have already exposed and repre-
hended. Up to this time our experience OF
the dongs of boards III this direction has BE- Il
encouraging; and this, | a'n confident, is not
the faulc of the gentlemen who have tried to
serve the public as Commissioners. In so
far as they may have failed, the cause Of
their i'll success must be eXlrinsic. Had
they been accorded a firer field, am sure
they would have wrought better purpose.
A thinker has observed that the spirit III
which we work is the chief matter; and we
can never achieve civil serv ce reform until
the interests which demand shall be more
potent in our public counsels than those which
resist even While seeming to favor it. That
this consumalon is not distant | tervently
trust; meantime thanking you for your ear
nest and effective labors to this end, | re
main yours,
HopACF GRrrrrY