New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-16
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.

uNpoPULARITY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM.
WASHINGTON. Feb. Is, 1874
From present appearances the existing practices
with reference to conducting the civil service OF the
Government will be short lived. The friends OF the
present system are much embarrassed OF the pros
pect of its speedy death but there are none wel IN
formed on the subject who believe that the system
will be prolonged after the end of the present nscai
year. Only one appropriation has ever been made
for the purpose of experiments toward reform. and
that amounted to $4,000 Last year no appropria-
tion was made but the use of the amount remaining
of the previous years appropriation about $4,000
WAS authorized for the purpose OF continuing the
efforts at reform. This amount will BIO exhausted
before June 80 Of the present year. and then the ma
chinery of the system must stop. The temper OF
Congress since the first year of the "system" has
been against it, and there is not the slightest posi-
bty that any appropriation Will be made TO continue
it, The effort has never been popular one with Con-
Rressmen who have, class, alwayso opposed com
petitiye system of examination. inc fres,ueht, III
nreyious messages, has recommended nberal appfo-
for carrying out his principles Oh reform IN
the civil service but he made no such recommends
tions in his last message. II the system on Its pres
cnt bos,s is continued an advisory board, chief
aminer and other paid officers can only Dc ODtaineu
by detail from the various offices.
A DISMAL VIEW OF THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY.
In speech in the House on Saturday IN support
of the Atlantic apd Great Western Canal subsidy
scheme Mr. Bell of Georgia drew a dismal picture
of the condition of the country, and prescribed a
remedy in the following forciblc language:
The revenues fail to current expenses on peace
basis: commerce decaying labor disOrganSed In the
South unproductye in the west starving freedmen
imploring the Government to feed them upon raions
Issued from the War Department; finances deranged;
factories running on half time, aud thousands OF
operatives turned out OF employment In the North
agrarian mobs and Conmunlstc associations camoring
for bread or blood in the cities railroad magnates
monopolzing the profits OF industry, and money
changers denlng the temple with heartess idolatry
az the shrine OF manmon. This state Of things must
be changed these evils must be corrected II we
would avert from the country the fearful crisis which
the deadly conflict between capital ana LABOR already
glrated. viii precpltate upon US, We must provide
channels for the distribution Of the productions OF the
country The expansion of its commerce. the develop
ment OF its resources. and the reward OF its laDor
THE sANBoRN CONTRACTS.
II is probable that the Sanborn contracts will be
sent to the House within few days when it will be
known whether all the reports with reference to
them are true or whether Mr. Butler, in his personal
explanation, evaded, disguised. and concealed the
facts One thing, however, is certain that Mr. San
born will soon be better fortified in pecuniary
sense to endure the suits against him, which will be
brought to trial in the Spring. Fees, at the rate OF
80 per cent continue to roll in and promptly paid
10 him in accordance with the contract Forty-sx
thousand dollars was recently paid to the Govern
mept in case Of delinquent taxes of which Mr.. San
born or his associates received $4,000 This makes
hetween $40 900 and 100000 paid to these people
since the subject was first brought to public atten-
ton, two or three weeks ago.