The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-05-21
Correspond ence OF VALLEY VIRGISIAS.]
Hon. y. Amber Sinitsl-Ciyii SER
vice-An Important Hill.

w
A good deal has been said at the present SEES
sion of Congress about Reform, and numerous
measures have been talked of looking in that
direction. But the one embodying the most OF
real, substantial Reformation is that Whlcl
originated with young and rising Virginia
member OF Congress, the Hon. j. Amber
Smith, of the Richmond district, and which
is embraced in a bill eInanating from Hn'' en-
titled "a bill to improve the Civil Service OF the
United States.'
For long elrs anterior to the war. custom
had obtained among the emple yees of the Gov
eminent Of leaving the Civil Service by reslg-
nation Or otherwise, and going soon thereafter
into the agency business, on Information &C
euired. while in Office, as to suspended or re-
jected claims, and the reasons for rejection OF
suspension.
For example, a clerk in the pension office
would furnish himself with a list of rejected
and suspended claims and the causes forreJec-
tion or suspension, with the residences and
post-of1ices OF the claimants:
On the information thus acquired, correspon-
dence with the claimants would be opened, the
reasons of rejection or suspension stated, and
directions furnished as to the evidence necessa-
nv to supply the defects of the original testlmo-
nv a practice strongly tending to subornatlon
of perjury.
In this way it is we'll known here that large
fortunes were made by men Of mediocre char
|
mi-dishonest and demoralizing practice still
continues. Certain agents at this Federal Me-
tropolis are known to be successful beyond all
competitors and to have realized fortunes,
while attorneys of better parts have scarcely
made bread.
Now. the bill of Mr. Smith strikes at the
root of this serious evil. 1t provides that no
person employed in the Civil Service OF the
United States shall be recognized as an agent
before any of the Executive Departments IN
which he served, until after the expiration OF
at least three years from the expiration OF MS
Civil Service This is striking at the root OF
the evil. Tetigit ocu.
A second provision OF MIR. Smiths Dill re-
quires that no person shall be employed III any
Bureau or Department of the Government OF
the United States who is member of the same
family or near relative Of the appointing or
nominating power Of said Bureau or Depart
mant This provision is we'll directed blow
at family influence as means OF acquiring
lemoIument, a reform most holy, and Of emo
bling purity.
A third provision forbitts the recognition OF
any one as an agent or attorney in any Of the
Bureallx or Departments of Government, when
the decision of the matter in issue devolNes up
on any member of the same family or near
relative of said agent or attorney. Another
deadly blow at this family influence and unjust
discrimination against the qualified and Wor-
thy. ,.,,
A fourth requirement is that no person shall
be recognized as an agent or attorney before
any Bureau OF Department of the Government
in any matter which was filed and pending dil-
ring his employment therein. Still another
check upon corrupt practice, which all men O
honest impulses will acknowledge to be justly
Imposed.
Il Aud all persons infringing the aforesaid pro
visions are held liable to fine and imprisonment
It would be difficult to conceive measure
more repIete with genuine reform, and more
destructive Of corruption and decentralization
than this conception of Mr.. Smith. The young
est MN in Congress, he has observed and de-
tected, and is endeavoring to provide against
evil practices and corrupt influences. III the
practical administration OF the Government.
which seem to have been overlooked by oldel
heads Ii he will dedicate his rising powers IN
right directions, he will be an hanor to his
, State and the country.
It is to be hoped that his constituents enter
tain no idea of making change OF their repre-
sentation. His admirable speech on the Rail
!, road bill, exhibiting great logical power, and
, Ireplete with statesmanlike views, ranks nm
high in the promises of the future Besides, he
, is independent and bold, of courteous demean-
Or and popular With his legislative associates.
If Congress is in earnest about genuine re-
form in the Civil Service, and to remedy the
chronic evils that have so long degraded the
civil administration, it will make haste to adopt
Mr.. Smiths bill into a law.
nI7TSA