The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-04-07
The civil service Board.

The New York Post was responsible for
the statement that the resignation Of Mr..
Curtis was directed by his feeling that
recent appointments signified the abandon-
ment of civil service reform, and the WASH
ington correspondent of that paper followed
in the same strain. But the latter was
forced tosay: M a
It is said, officially, that whether the civil
service board continues TO exist or not, the rules
prescribed by it will be faithfully carried out in
minor appointments. Mr.. Groves, of the treas
ury civil service board, leaves here tonight for
the south, 10 put into practice the civil service
rules in the various custom. houses throughout
the southern states.
We have already indicated that the main
work of the Board was already accom-
plished. 1t was not designed to be, nor
would it be at all desirable to continue it as
permanent organization. 1t was simply
designed to frame rules and regulations,
which were to aid the President in making
his selections, but in no case to absolutely
bind him, as the ultimate discretion rests
with him, and cannot be diverted to other
channels. ai a5fa M
And in this connection it is but just to
say, that General Grant has done more to
improve the character of the civil service
than any of his predecessors since the ear
lier Presidents. He has gone further in max
ing fitness and character the highest test,
and has adhered more vigorously to the
rule, so much commended by Jefferson,
that faithful and competent officers should
not be removed merely upon political
grounds. The standard Of official require
ment is higher to-day than it has been at
any time since the second Adams and
fidelity on the part of public officers is
better encouraged than it has been in the
last forty years. EasL
The President, during his first term,
had to deal with system which was
thoroughly, if not almost irretrievably,
rooted in our political fabrlc--a pure par
tisan system. None of his immediate pre-
decessors had ventured to question this
system, but fully recognized the principle
thai to the political victor belongs the po'
ltical spoils. He had to meet the strong
feeling Of Congress that this rule was right
in its application to political opponents, as
to great extent it no doubt Is. Indeed
to have carried out the rule with
out any reference whatever TO part,
politics, would have been simply quixotit
on the part of the President; and yet h,
only ventured to sanction the almost imme
mortal usage of party so far as it was fea
sible and tended to efficiency and accounta
bility in the service. A different argu
ment is now urged for appointments in thu
first instance, and higher and more ap
proved tone persades the general service
There is more reference to the suitabilit
and competency of candidates, and fewe
changes made where these qualities ar
known to exist. ha
These are indisputable facts |; and they G
to show that, in the line of practical civi
reform, President Grant has gone turtle
than any of his predecessors since 1880
The reform which he has inaugurated doe
not consist in mere arbitrary rules, but il
practical results, which such rules ma
sometimes promote and sometimes OBJ
struct. The assalants of the Presden
may seek to break the force of these
remarks by pointing to isolated cases, blu
they cannot deny that an immsnse advanc
has been made in civil service reform, an,
that the general policy of the Presiden
points in still healthier direction. Tn
retirement of Mr.. Curtis indicates nothin
more than that the duties of the civi
service board were essentially completed.