Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-01-27

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sUNBURY, JANUARY %, 1872.

The CivIL SERVICE BILL.-The last
Lebdaoa Courier expresses our views on the
civil service bill before Congress, so nearly
that we transfer ii to our columns. The
Courier says: H... ..' "'aa..
1.-THE Civil Service competition humbug
is falling from the weight of its own fast
developing imperfoctions and ilnpractica-
blencss. And yet if II was fully understood
10y the people it would be kicked from no.
'ticc. 4 set of ristocratically disposed
gentlemen Of high stnnding,' who have no
sympathy with the people, have initiated
The policy Of monarchical governments in
this effort to fasten an ofiice-holding aris-
tocracy on the country, and to shut the
door of official preferment in the faces of
men of valuable practical knowledge, but
who may not have been able to graduate
with the classic "shcep skim" The move
nent is objected to because it is unconsti-
tutiopal, but the objection can be made
even stronger than that--it is at war with
the genius Of our free andequal institutions.
1t proposes to give the whole appointing
power into the hands of an irresponsible
committee with as little comprehension of
the true spirit Of our government as have
the men advocating its adoption. Thus
would all the immense official patronage of
our government fall into the hands of
little cotcrie Of self-esteemed rcspectables,
who would conlinc appointments to their
own class and establish succession Of he
rcditary Office holders. The President cleo
tod BY the people, the Representatives of
the people, the people themselves, would
have nothing to say as to the men wEo
should be appointed TO office-that impor-
iant privilege resting in the hands of such
men as G. W. Curtis, who know about rs
much in regard to the actual business, ,prac-
tlcal, thorough going men of the country,
as a magpic does of comics. 1t is idle to
think that this so-callcd proposed reform
cnn be established in this country. 1t is
not the disposition of our people to volun-
tarily surrender privilege and power into
the hands of irresponsible committees, and
TO acknowledge their unlitDess both to
serve in office aud to select their servants.
IF selfgoycramcnt is a failure, and the
people are not to be trusted with power,
let Mr.. Curtis and his friends say so. But
if the people are competent to select Presi-
dents, Senators, Congressman. Judges, &c. +,
il strikes us that it is somewhat Inconsistent
TO declare that their influence in the choice
of postmasters, clerks, &C., is evil and not
TO be tolerated. This question involves q
great principle which cannot DC surrendered
to enable Mr.. Curtis and his friends to con-
irol the appointments of the government" {"
The Republican press throughout the
country should follow the example of the
Courier, and express their disapprobation
Of the board Of f'"played out schoolmasters, :"
who are at tire shead of this civil service
humbug. The; president cannot be blamed
ffor carrying out this law passed BY Con-
gress, for ho,is but shswing that TO ''rcpeal
an obnoxious lawiis to carry it into effect. -
as expressed in his inaugural address.