Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-10-17

interference Of federal officers with State po-
lltics, have this to say that You seem to
forget that President Grant was the first to
forbid federal officers holding State Offices
and that, if the public press and the peo-
pie will make it appear that further res
trictions upon such interference can be en-
forced, there is, in my opinion, every
reason to believe that such restrictions Will
ind place in the rules regulating the civil
service.
5. Lastly, am not satisfied with MANY
things that have been done and suffered.
but l know enough of them to comprehend
that some of them were inevitable. that
Others were the best that bad circumstances
would allow, and that most of them are too
generally misconceived. This reform, like
all others in which have taken part or read
of, has discouraging circumstances, but such
are the crises in which its friends must stand
firmest and be most reasonable. The reform
is making steady progress. More and
more the path of promotions is through
merit. | do not say the condition Is salts
factory, by any means, but it Is growing
better. The people are now reconciled to
examinations Solicitation accomplishes
very little in those departments to which
examinations have been extended, and in
due time their sphere will be enlarged, as
they should. A manual will be issued
which will make the dimensions of the re-
form clearer and its methods more lntelll-
gible Had more been at first attempted,
with inexperienced hands, and uDon gen
Grafton accustomed only to other methods,
are you prepared to say that great
recoil would not have thrown back
the reform for generation? 1t
requires some experience. as well as
great philosophic insight and prudence,
to determine the true proportions and
methods for reforming the vast system OF
the civil service of an impetuous young ma
ton Of forty millions. And if you can tell
Us now what we had better do and forbear
to do, which we have not, | promise you
an attentive hearing. | do not refer to
general complaints or general clanOr for
speedier and better results, to which any
one may give utterance. but to some spe-
cifc, practical suggestions of better ways
and methods, based on the constitution and
the political and social forces we have to
regard.
Now, beg you to allow me to ask these
questions, not in the way OF criticism or
complaint-not of you PERSONAL---VERY. as
concerning the whole public press Has all
been done that was reasonable to expect TO
develop in the public mind a comprehension
what are its processes, its sphere, its utili-
ties. and its obstacles? Have the honest,
intelligent people been made to appreciate
that their united and stern support is need
ed TO resist partisanship, and to overawe
those who may be hostile or uniaithful?
Has the notice of the first district examina
tons, soon to take place in New York city, |
been generally published in the New Eng |
land Journals (as it was in the New York |
Times of October LIST, and in other New |
York papers of both parties), and was it
made the occasion Of any comments upon |
the merits of this important addition TO the |
agencies Of reform or the reform itself? | |
feel compelled to say, that if the public
press does not improve its occasions to do |
its duty Of cnlightening public opinion, the |
reform j. as likely to be feeble and defect
i've a. consequence of such neglect, as
from any other cause within my knowledge. /
Its enemies are always active and never lose
q chance to give it n wound. And, am
YOur obedient servant,
D. b EAToN.
New York, October 6, 1873