Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-10-17
A Genuine civil service Reformer,

ClVll service reform IS not so much insisted
upon of late by the Greeley organs as when the
Cincinnati movement was in its formative
stage. They claim, however, to represent the
"party of reform" in that, as in other matters,
and denounce vehemently enough what they
represent as abuses of the present administra-
ton in the management of the civil service, al
though preserving for the most part an omin-
Gus silence in regard to the precise nature and
extent of the reforms in that direction to be ex-
pected ii their candidate should become presi
dent That is a somewhat dangerous subject,
because, in the first place, Greeley has found
it necessary TO make some pretty distinct
pledges as to the distribution of offices in case
of his success, and the advocates of his election
are under the same constraint which extorted
those pledges from him; they know that his
strength, what there is of it, is largely depend
ent upon the desire for office of men who, how
ever serviceable as politicians, are not such as
an intelligent and honest person would select
for official duties requiring either talent or char
aeter Greeley's most conspicuous supporters
in New York are especially and even ludicrous.
ly unified for champions of reform so much
so that the few sincere friends of reform who
have been deluded into the ranks of Greeley's
supporters not unfrequently show decided symp-
toms of being i'll at ease in such co apany.
All those good people are no doubt glad to
learn that there is candidate in the field whose
record on this subject is unexceptionable. His
position was taken many years ago when it was
practical matter with him, and when his obe-
dence TO his convictions OF duty cost him some
thing in personal friendship and political inhu-
ence. We refer to Gen. Dix, the republican
candidate for governor in New York. Twelve
years ago he was the postmaster of New York
city, under Buchansns administration, and. in
reply TO congressman who complained of the
appointment of clerk in the Office from his
district without consulting him, Gen. Dix wrote
as follows:
"PosT OFFICE, NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 1860.
My Dear Sir. / received your note of rbe 2d
inst. three DAYS ago, but have been too busy TO
reply to it. do not Ike the tone in which il is
written. 1t looks as though you supposed this
office was to be administered for the benefit of
individuals, and not of the public. You object
TO gentlemen in your congressional district bay-
ing the designation OF appointments as if it had
been done already | know no gentleman
IN or out OF your district, or any other
district, who has had, or is to have, the
hC9tbualiOu VI any appointment IN This
office intend to designate appointments nv
self, and to make them for the best good
OF the public service If you recommend n
man 10 me for an appointment in your
district, or out Of IT, your recommendation
will be treated with the respect due TO
you, not only as prominent citizen, but as
one with whom my intercourse has always been
OF the most agreeable and friendly nature If
the man you recommend is better qualified in
my OPINION, imam any other candidate shall
aODOlut him. Rut If a hatto e -
some other person, even though il be nerxo11
10 whom am entirely Indifferent | shall cnr
tainly deem it my duty to give bis nominee tbe
preference; think any other principle Of ac-
ton would be unjust to the government and
dscreditable 10 myself | regard The nrsc 4no
which has grown up in some branches of the
puOllc service, OF appointing persons 10 emnloy-
ments for the purpose Of aiding candidates Ifor
congress, ior the common council, and other
oinclal positions, as one of the grossest ah,iees
under the government and | think the devel,,,2
ments which have been made in regard NJ I,
have done quite as much as ANYTHING else 70
impair the confidence of the community in
pubic men, and TO reduce the demo.
condition. lido not know whether il is i'm hos 5S,
sioe, in the present state of things, to carryout
the opposite principle OF administering Office
for the good of the public; but intend 10 try
II Oh a small scale. fear the public mind il
more indi1erent TO the practice referred to than
4
may not live to see i) when the American peo.
Ple VIII rise up in mass and rebuke all this sell
h 1 oy calling for men who have the disin.
tte'ssledhess, the independence and the COURAGE
!" 90 what they think right.
NoM' my dear sir, don't think that intend
t ~ ieaa you lecture. | only wish, AS the Van.
Eees Say, to give you piece of my mind'1not
i, ,, p9t IN the irankness Of the friend.
snip WIN which am sincerely yours. ''' u 'Gl''
Hon.--D JOHN A. DIX.
Ibal is satisfactory doctrine on the subject Of
appointments to Office. On the pa,,sr ~ VI
litical assessments General Dix also had o.o s
sion to express bis views and act upon them .,
about the same time. To the chairman ~ ,Ss
democratic general committee he wrote the -,
lowing letter;
hih: have received your letter soliciting
CONTRIBUTION from myself and the privilege of
assessing the subordina.es in my office. 10 raise
iuuds IN aid Of the Union ticket" ana The
cgmlng presidential election"
Delole your letter was received had engaged
"a 4