New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-12-19
why We Oppose the Civil Service
Scheme.


business principles, aud has never been, and
never can be, successfully applied to the al
fAi1 of Government.
In China where it has been in operation
thousand years, the Government Is the most
corrupt on the globe, and in England, after
being tested for many years, the eompefiire
feature of the scheme has been repudiated.
| Second. Because it possesses no power to
! discover the capacity of applicants for public
positions TO make efficient officers, and mnch
! less to ascertain whether they will make
! loae,. and faithful ones.
! . connective examination will undoubt-
| edly test the mere technical knowledge OF an
applicant. But no intelligent, practical BUSH
| ness man ever selected clerk, or agent, OF
manager for his familiarity with grammar,
geography, and arithmetic. If he is found,
after fair trial, to understand the particular
duties required of him, and to possess good
moral character, he is employed.
Tie merchant, who should subject the APP
p.icant for a position in his counting-room to
an examination as 10 his technical acqualnt-
ance with grammar, geography, &C., would
be thought aeranged. And yet the duties OF
clerk in > mercantile establishment are
quite as difficult and responsible, and require
the came kind of capacity and as strict in
.ss-ity, as those of Government employees.
In competitive examination the applicant
las; from school, or whose duties have been
simply TO '.teach the young idea how to
shoot" and who therefore has the least
practical business knowledge and experience,
will invariably secure the appointment or
promotion in preference TO the most compe-
tent, experienced, and faithful clerk who has
not kept we'll posted in the elementary
branches Of education while pursuing his Off
cial duties. More than one such instance OF
the grossly unjust and injurious operation OF
the system has been brought to our atten-
ton.
Third. Because the tendency Of the system
is to create . privileged or aristocratic class
of office-holders.
We believe the offices Of the Government
| should be open alike to all classes OF its
friends and supporters in every part OF the
country as all other kinds Of employment are
to applicants.
The effect of the civil service rules is prac-
tically to exclude from employment under
the Government, especially at the capital OF
the nation, very large majority of the peo-
pie of the Union. Indeed, in effect, it con-
fines the privilege almost exclusively to the
people of this District and to Maryland.
No man or woman, not within few hours
ride of the capital, will risk the expense of a
journey here to compete for an office with
the almost absolute certainty that those re-
siding here, and familiar with the require
rnents of the board from previous examina-
tons, will carry off the prize.
People at a distance stand no chance
against them on this ground. There are in
stances of intelligent women coming here
from abroad to try for position, but who,
after tedious delay, and spending more money
than they were able, utterly failed. Such
experiments are growing gradually less, and
will soon cease altogether.
Then the professional "office-seekcrs" here
and near here will have it all their own way.
L
No clear-headed man can fail to see and no
candid man will deny, that this would be the
inevitable effect Of the competitive system,
and that it must result in forcing upon the
Government class of "Titc Barnacles" that
will prove as great curse to it as they have
| to the civil service OF England.
Fourth. Because it virtually cuts of from
Government employment the five millions Of
freedmen emancipated by the rebellion o.
| their masters.
With the sanction of the Government the
whole colored population Of the South were
denied, under severe penalties by the ole
slave States, all the advantages Of an educa
ton, and were kept in absolute ignorance, as
far as severe laws could accomplish that re-
suit, of everything that might tend to render
them dissatisfied with their bonds.
It is true, the Government, since it has
been administered by the Republican party
has taken measures to atone for this grea
wrong. But it will require many long year:
TO place the colored people Of the South on {
footing Of equality with the white race in ar
educational point Of view. Until then, com
PEELED by poverty to give their days to the
bare support of their families, they will be
deprived by the competitive system not only
Of an equal. but almost literally, of all chance
of success, and yet, We believe there are &
AI proportion of them who would make eff
Gent officers.
Fifth. Because it transfers the appoint
ment of a majority of the officers of the Gov
eminent from the President, where the Con
stitution places it, and who is responsible t.
the people for the way he discharges this
duty, to an irresponsible board Of irresponsi
bic men, unknown alike to the Constitution
and to the people.
The persons who compose this board, ant
in whose hands is placed the testing of every
| applicant for a promotion or an appointment
may be very respectable men, and entirely
honest as the world goes, as well as at home
| in the rudiments Of their mother tongue, il
they chance to be Americans by birth. Blu,
the people don't know them, nor does the
President know any more of them than he
lawns frnyn others And hovever favor.