The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-11-14

for malfeasence or misfeasence In office.
With the incoming of the administration of
General jackson this was all changed, and
the dangerous doctrine was adopted that
ito the vlctors belong the spoils." Hence
forward, persons, capable, honest, faithful,
were removed from petty offices because
they disagreed in politics with the admin
istration, and their places were supplied so
as to reward the political services of politi-
cal followers. We refer not, of course, to
members of the cabinet, who should be in
political accord with the administration,
but to that vast horde OF offices, which have
nothing to do with politics, but require fol
the discharge of the duties thereof, capable,
honest, intelligent men.
The national republican convention,
which assembled in Philadelphia, in June
1872, changed all this. Thereafter, il was
a vital principle of republican faith that it
was not true, in politics, that "to the vic
tors belongs the spoils." A man could no
longer be good, honest, true republican
and, at the same time, claim non-political
office as reward for party service. The
declaration could not have been more en-
phatic than IL was made by the national
republican convention. We give its exact
words: "Any system of the civil service
under which the subordinate positions of
1" the government are considered rewards
" for mere party zeal is fatally demordIizing,
and we therefore favor q reform of the
system by laws which shall abolish the
q evils of patronage, and mako honesty
" efficiency, and fidelity the essential quail
&" ificatIons for public position, without
practically creating life tenure of office.
This is clear, emphatic and to the point
The republican ship sailed with these col
ors nailed to her masthead, emo prescription
for opinions sake" ''honesty, efficiency
and fidelity in public Office" and enc
more appointments as rewards for party
zeal. Under these colors, the battle wal
fought and won. No one could enter into
the contest, on the republican side, anC
fight under those colors standing on thai
platform, unless he gave hearty adherence
thereto, or was, at heart, a hypocrite ant
traitor. Is man, can man be repubi
can without subscribing to this doctrine
We take it that no man is a true homes
republican unless he subscribes thereto
and endeavors, by all the means in hi
power, to give it political effect. Herein
too, is where the duty of electing trustwor
thy honest men to political offices is exem
pliiied. Such a man, having secured al
election thereby, will be true to his pro
fessed principles, while the time serving
demagogue and politician will seek to re
tain power by ''the evils of patronage,
and by appointments, or recommendation
for appointments, las rewards for mert
party zeal The test of republcanism il
an adherence to this as well as other prin
ciples, and not in blind support of men
Andrew Johnson was elected as a republi
can and as a representative of republican
ideas, but when he departed therefrom, III
ceased to be republican, and the party
did not hesitate to repudiate him. so it il
in the matter of this "civil service reform,
when any man-be he high III office or
private citizen-attempts to go counter t
this express declaration, he ceases to be a re
publican, and the people will not hesitate
to denounce him.