Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-08-21
ency of making a political issue on the
temperance question, at this time.
GILL Service Reform.


A noticeable feature in the proceedingsoi
the recent Middleburv convention, ana one
of the most cheering signs Of the times IN
our State politics was the adoption of 4 reso-
luton fayoring reform of the civil service;
and this, we trust, is but the beginning ct
an agitation of the subject which will result
in its better apprehension by the mass oil
the people and in enforcing its adoption
upon Congressman. reluctant as the MAJOR
Ity of them doubtless are TO give up the pat
ronage which gives them 50 much power.
Il is a reform that is sure to come, and at no
distant time, and we trust our Vermont
Representatives will not lag behind IN its
advocacy.
1t was quite generally supposed that the
Board of Civil Service Commissioners had
been compelled to abandon their labors by
the refusal Of Congress to pass the appro-
priation Coz their expenses. Such Is not
the case, it appears from a letter from Mr..
Dorman b. Eaton, recently published, and
they are sti,l hard at work. Mr.. Eaton says
that the refusal OF compensation to the COM
ms>ioncr-, who pay their own expenses and
give their time to the perfection of the re-
form, docs not seem likely to discourage
the President, defeat the reform, or even
prevent the commissioners from dlschargIng
their duties" The chief effect will be to
suspend the competitive examinations here
toiorc held in various parts of the country,
and to limit them to the city of Washington.
As to the report that President Grant had
practically abandoned the reform, Mr.. Eaton
pronounce- it an entire mistake. Never has
he taken a more active personal part in the
application Of the civil service rules than
since Congress withheld the appropriation :;
never did he more feel the need of the com
mission. Secretary Bristow fully approves
of the rules, and insis Is on their rigid APP
plication in his department. Mr.. eaton
says
Secretary Bristow has given the subject
careful investigation, and has come to the
conclusion that no such honest and efficient
administration as he aims to give the coun-
try i possible, short Of applying subStan-
TALLY the rules and principles which he
found tie President ha d inaugurated under
the law of ISL for reforming the civil ser
vice There can hard ly be higher evidence
Of the ability of a true reform To survive
iufdelity, secret intri gue for its overthrow,
and even the combin ed attack of great
portion OF those who gave it birth,
nor can there be better evidence OF
it, solid hold Of II honest and intelll-
Mt sentiment Of the country than
the facts that strong, untrammeled
mind, coming in the greatest admlnlStra-
tive office OF the nation, at the moment
when the popular branch of Congress had
passed a vote OF ceusure upon the reform
and its author. should for such reasons
have reached such conclusion, and should
also at the same time, be Saluted and en-
c0urased 10y such degree OF popular sup
port a. has not been accorded To more than
one or TWO Cabinet officers during tins
generation. If one branch Of Congress had
condemned the reform, the people hail with
applause the new lead of the treasury.
who. Standing firm " with the President.
plant, himself upC that reform a one OF
the essential condit ions of eleyating his de-
partment