New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-11
CIVIL SERVICE REFORH,

OPINIONS on us CONDITION BY THE CIIAlRiAN OF
THE ADVISORY BOARD
Mr.. DOrman b. Eaton has written long
letter to The Springfield Republican in which he replies
70 certain questions which that journal asked him re-
Gently concerning the condition Of Civil Service Reform
The following are the principal features of his letter;
I cnnrot say that | am satisfied with my position,
because all the friends OF the reform do not give III
united and effective support, aud IL ADVANCES more
,noes steady advance is daily gaining friends. and
has rrn support Of the President the CdOnel ana
the higher sentiment of the nation. am content 70
labor "a Id to wait. feel il Will achieve complete
victory. so let us be cheerful and patient.
There are some uncertainties as TO the extent Q, s
mesent application which need to be cleared and re-
moved Tuere great need of study and caution as u
how far the attempt should be made TO extend cOmpe-
titlou There are many other eXitles-there are
cunning attacks many intrgues, ana selfish denagogue
sneprs to encountered but such are the experience
of MI reforms If those who claim 10 be its friends
and those who, IN their true Interests ad ehsntehe9
Inc little forbearing candid, aud discreet well as
very frm persistent. the reform Will be so stro NC
overturned unless civilization shall cob away all
along the line OF It's advance.
g. The greatest peril OF the reform VIII be IN congress-
where appropriations VIII be needed next winter ana
not from the President Executive Department, where
il has indicated its merits II YOU VIII allow NE
a SUGGESTION. II is that your influential journal and
all those IN sympathy with IT, unite in creating public
opinion in Congress when Will support as ex-
tend reform as the Executive Department will advise
and is ready carry ont Tho want Of sterner pub
lie opinion which Congress viii regard Is the Onf peru
and il You allow II TO be fatal your responsibility VIII not
be small can means of securing defeat
than by causing those who promote the only possible
/ advance TO he generally dlstfusie6
4 To your complaints about the undue interference Of
Federal officers with State politics, have tins 10
That YOU forget that President Grant was the
first 10 forbid Federal officers holding State offices; and
that II the public press and the people will make 1t ap
near further restrictions upon such interference
can be enforced there IS my Opinion, every reason 10
believe that restrictions will nnd place Ia the
rues regulating the Clyil service.
g. Lastly. / not satisfied with many things that
have been done ana suffered, but | know enough OF
them 10 comprehend that some OF them were inevitable.
tna others the best that bad circumstances wond
allow and most OF them are too generally mis-
conceived. This reform ike all others in which have
hut such the ersises IN winch its friends must
stand urmest and be most reasonable. The re-
form is making steady progress. More and
more the path OF promotions Is through merit.
I 90 not say the condition Is satisfactory, by any
means nut it growing better. The people are DOW
recoucled TO examinations. Solicitation accOmplshes
very little in ihos departments 10 which examinations
have becu nded, and due time their sphere VIII
be enlarged as. should. a manual will be issued
which Will make the dimensions Of the reform clearer
and its methods more iDtellble. Had more been
at first attempted, with inexperienced hands, and
unon a generation accustomed only 10 other
methods are YOU prepared to say that great reco
would not have thrown back the reform Tor genera
ton9 II requires experience. as well great
phtlosophc insight and prudence, 10 determine true pro
pertOs and luethOds for reforming the vast system OF
tbe CIVIL Service OF an impetuous young nation OF
4O,0C0O30.
feel compelled 10 say, that II the public press does
moi improve Its occasions TO do It's duty Of enghenlnP
nnbl opinion the reform is likely 10 be feeble anC
adjective rs consequence Of such neglect as from any
ofher cause within my knowledge. It's enemies are
always active and never lose chance to give II