Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-01-26
Corvesb0ndence.
oUR u.rsus.vGTo.r LBTrBR.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.
CIVIL SERVICE DEPARTURE.


The speech of Senator Carpenter was ex-
ceedingly able and will no doubt attract
general attention. He proved conclusive
ly to most minds that the rules reported
by the Commission are impractcabe and
are not calculated to improve the Civil Ser
vice but he omitted to suggest any sub
stitute. As a negative speech it was sue
cess but Senator Trumbull at once seized
upon the weakest point of his adversary,
and inquired whether all the evils and cor
ruptions Of the Civil Service shall be con-
tinued indefinitely.
In the first place all the evils and cor
ruptions of the Civil Service have been
greatly exaggerated for partisan purposes.
We are on the eve of a Presidential cam
paign, and as II is next 10 impossible 10
find fault with the administration policy,
the issue has been changed, and the hope
is entertained that officials of the general
government can be so traduced that suf-
ficient number of Republicans will desert
their party, and go into the rebel and Dem
ocratic camp to obtain purity in office.
The Civil Service may be suffering from
two causes-from stupidity and consequent
incfiiciency, or from the absence of that
personal integrity and fidelity, which is
equally essential. 1t is not claimed that
the Civil Service iu the United States is
stupid-in this particular at least, 1t Is ahead
of the English and Continental organiza-
tons. When The war broke out we had
the ability to devise new systems with ra-
pidity equal to the great emergency. If,
then, the main, if not the sole objection to
the pre- sent civil service is that it lacks per-
| sonal integrity, the competitive oxamina-
| ton sy TEN does not meet the case. Only
a moments reflection is necessary to be-
come convinced that the present system of
appointments gives us a greater amount of
personal responsibility and consequent in
tegrity than the new one, which is falsely
dubbed Civil Service Reform.
The remedies lie in quite a different di-
rection, and we will only cnumerate them
because the limits of this correspondence
do not admit of discussion.
lst. The abolition of all feed officers =
every officer should have an adequate sala-
ry. and no chance for inlormers shares or
otter perquistcs.
2nd. Every appointed officer should be
dID'IHlth IVA Il l'i III VI Nthlo- ipul VI
hve-so that he may attach some value to
his office and be dependent upon the law
of the land instead of the whns of his SUI
pcrior>.
Sd. The payment Of more adequate sal
aries to officers of great responsibility.
ith. \ more effective system Of inspec-
ton Of accounts, 50 that no officer may feel
himself safe from immediate examination
of accounts.
9Th. Certainty of punishment to the de-
faultcr, making il an infamous crime to
diSplace money under any pretext whatev-
er.
9th. \ little more justice TO faithful ofli-
GERS instead of the universal howl of dis
honesty brought against officials indis-
criminaIely. \ public opinion that con-
demns everybody, in general way, and
yet is lenient and sympathetic towards the
discovered rascal personally, is the great
est foe to civil service reform.
All the principles are so plain and practi-
cable that their efficiency is overlooked, be-
cause people seem TO think that some great
theoretical scheme is the only panacea.
\ national agricultural convention is to
be held in this city on the 18th of February
next, to take such action as shall be deemed
expedient for the promotion of agricultur-
al interests and secure more intimate con-
nection between the Department and the
various agricultural, horticultural and 9th
or similar institutions in the country. The
convention will be held in the Department
building, and it is expected the Tendance
will be quite large
Some of the colored residents Of the Dis
trict are making themselves Extensively OF.
ficious in regard to not only the passage Of
the Supplemental Civil Rights bill, but ii
assuming to dictate the manner of its pas.
sage. At public meetings and through thu
press of the city they insist that ii ought t.
Pass rs an amendment 10 the amnesty bill
though the President has suggested reason!
why it ought not to be urged as a rider t
amnesty. Meanwhile such slaring blund
dcrs are pointed thy Senators that Senate
sumner its author, has been constraine,
to agree that it shall be amended 50 as t.
save the common law rights which, as
now stands, are infringed by it.
The comptroller of the currency has de
: clared a dividend of thirty per cent to til
| trcullOrS or inc ocean NdlloIdl Ddnh q
New York, payable on all approved claim
amer the 25th inst.
1t is generally believed here that Nj
= llurlburd will be re-appointed Comptrol
=, Ter of the currency on the recommendatio
Of Secretary Boutwell,.
\ $50 counterfeit of the new greenbacl
issue of 1869 has just made its appearance
> The engraving and paper are said to be 5
poor that it can be easily detected.
> The House Investigating Committee o
the Louisiana troubles, have postpone
-, their trip to New Orleans for the present
y nd there will probably be no investigl
ton made, as all is quiet.
Secretary Boutwell, was visited yeSter
day by Cape Cod fishermen.
The time for filing claims for soldier
e bounties has been extended to Januar
3Olh, 1873.
: Ex-Attoruey General Akermln has heel
q quite i'll, but is slowly improving
Thr census report will positively he OF
on the first of July; Gen. Walker is pusi
= ing the work forward zealouslN.
c en-.