The Holt County sentinel., 1873-05-02
Resignation and Reform.

heSignht1On ana REFORM.
1t Is amusing to witness the attemnts
now being made by some of the demo-
cratic organs to act as champions of the
elvn service reform, which never would
naVe i Ceen necessary had IL not been for
tne acts OF Andrew jackson and his fol-
S,0Wers. Right or wrong the will of "Old
hickory" was to be obeyed, and intoxi-
Gated political power found, in the blind
confidence of Its credulous followers, i'm
munlty for every usurpation and for every
aouse. lt was one of the most honest and
respected leaders Of the democratic party
VINO openly avowed In the Senate of the
Jnl.eu states, that his party fought like
pirates, for what they could win, Said
Governor Marcy, In January, 1882:
When they are contending for victory. thew
nVow their intention to enjoy the fruits Fit, II
iaey are defeated, they expcctto retire from office
right tbe pS dsSc0sssia they claim as matter Of
ing wr9ng IN the rule, that TO the victor belong
lhe spoils OF the enemy.
rms monstrous doctrine was at first re-
garded as an inadvertent slip of the
Tongue, butit was soon found that 1t was
Ine IaVorlte watchword of the democracy.
INSTEAD OF the old rule of Mr.. jefferson In
teSNu 70 onice-holders--"is he honest, is
ne capable, Is he faithful to the Constitu.
ton PA rule which had worked so ben.
eilcially to the government--the edict
was; ITO the victors belong the spoils, I"
Otiices were distributed only as rewards
l0r partisan services, and TO hush the
cIamors OF the hungry multitude of camp
followers, regardless of qualifications or
iMthiulness. 1t was not to be wondered
AZ that delinquents and spectators soon
lndulged In all sorts of official frauds, and
plunqer, and that they have since been
round whenever and wherever the demo-
crats nave exercised power. A citizen
WHO accepts Office of any Kind under dem
0crauc rule, virtually signs, seals and de-
livers an indenture Of abiect political ser.
vltude during his continuance in Office.
anu 1eeis disposed to pocket what he can
by way of consolation.
lne republican party has endeayored to
preak up this narrow, corrupting, and
miserable policy inaugurated by the dem
ocrats' President Grant has taken the
lead IN this good work, and has done ali
IN IN MS power to throw around the civil
Officers OF the government the same pro-
lection, NJ the enjoyment of their privi.
ieges during good behavior, that the mill
t.y anu tne naval officers enjoy. 1t Is
true that the President has met with
much opposition, especially in enforcinu
competitive examination for Appointments
or ior promotions, but he has ncyertheless
persevered.
Mr.. George William Curtis was placed
az the head of the Civil Service Advisory
board first appointed by the President
ana he did much toward giving the reform
1alr start. Last winter, however, n diff
ference OF views was developed between
MN and the President which proved ire.
conclleable. The President, II we are not
ihilslhlormed, suggested to Mr.. Curtis that
n ms own experience In filling offices had
suggested such modification of the rules
as would admit of transfers of officials
from one class Of offices to another. This
MI. curtis did not fancy, insisting on pro-
inoIlon IN each class of offices. The
rresloent quietly waited until one of these
cases occurred, and then, exercising his
reserved authority, he made the transfers.
tne propriety of which all who know the
gentlemen admit. Mr.. Curtis, however.
ielt that, like British Cabinet Minister
: II was his duty to resign when he could
no longer consistently carry out the views
OF tne Chief Magistrate, and he wrote the
following letter Of resignation:
NEST NEW BRIGuros, N, Y, March IA ia
MY MY DkAR SIR AS the crcumstances iinder
which several Important appointments have been
,noe, ooe.,,y ma9e seem TO me to show an abandon
i po.n OF tne spirit and the letter of the civil
service regulations, respectfully resign INV NO u
sition as member of the Advisory Board Of The
-, nelNloe' IN 80 uOing beg TO assure Won of
my warmest wishes, and of the Continuance Of
g 9st earnest efforts for the success Of your
Very respectfully and truly youre
GEORGE WILLIAM CiIRTIs
Ills Excellency the PRESIDENT.
It VIII be observed that while Mr.. Chr.
tls differs with the President as to the
working OF the machinery of the civil ser.
vice he pledges his most earnest efforts
ior the success of the Grant administra.
ton. How different from the selfstyled
Liberal Republicans of last wear, who
mallgned the administration, yet held on
70 the offices to which Republican votes
mad elected them. The resignation eyer
OF so Jealous worker as Mr.. Curtis will
not check the reform which he did so
mach toward inaugurating. 1t must be
Dorne In mind, however, that it Is only
through the exertions of President Grant
anu the Republican party that we have
any approach to civil service reform and
It III becomes our Democratic friends To
hnd fault with what the conduct of their
party has rendered necessary, Fortu.
Imately the people understood this, and
ike the citizens of ancient Athens. they
are not to be deceived by any demagogue
Twhether he be the Clcon who braWls or
the Cleon who whispers-out of their com.
mon sense. The people know what party
originated and is now perfecting civil ser.
vice reform.- Washington Chronicle.