New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-25
CIVIL SERVICE
REFORM.
MR.. EATON'S PLEA.

| SENTIMENT NEEDED TO UPHOLD THE WORK OF
| REFoRM-TTE REPUBLICAN PARTY PLEDGED TO
ITS SUPPORT.
| Mr. Dorman b. Eaton has written letter to Mr..
Andrew ID. White concerning his Civil Service Com
mission, whereof the following is the substance:
The evidence accumulated warrants the declaration
| that the method OF reform being applied Will
steadily improve the moral tone and business efficiency
Of the public service, and will at the same time maer
ally check the excessive and nercenary activity OF our
politics generally. The experiment has been success
The reports which have been circulated to the enect
that the Official statements from ihelpublic Offices show
| that the new system had not been beneficial
| are, TO use the mildest language, inaccurate
| The report, think. will be decisive on that
point I hardly need point out that it was
incident to experiment that some mistakes should
be made that delays should that some per-
old and favorits ways Of doing things. The new
| system has reached such degree OF working
improved BY the light Of experience il Congress
shall NOT immaturey interfere in I. hostile spirit:
| cannot say with much confidence such strange re-
are put sse i% ps
lie opinion on Congressional action Will be- There 10
bers win not have time to give due attention to tins
ect There certainly great need thas the honest anu
vital interest p IN securing worthy men for office,
and in oyerthr9wing the trade OF specnls s,
being carried by the President fear there is very
.ns Rp es may 1S Of
errors. 1 have before me for example paper, ne
states that Mr.. D. b. Eaton of the Civil Service Com
mission declares that "the present method OF eI;
that the report OF the Civil Service Board has created
great deal dissenson, and that the Commissioners
gaesoas 20 &C., per whcS are OF no use This
specimen Of much Of b, ,e, similar n,o,ms nd
Now, when tell you that the language attributed 70
baau heeu
that far from having $50 day the majority OF the
them are not paid fourth part OF that sum. you win
realize how hostile public opinion Is being nanuac.
othersthe charge OF excessive payment Is ludcrous
Those who have the luxury OF making II really ought 10
pay what my sa;ary falls short OF my expenses here
in to meet charges calculated0 prejudice pubic
com pensaed service being rendered the public than
in connection with Civil Service Reform aud am sorry
that who oppose Ii do not cOfne the attack TO
grounds which involve Its merits Even II it were true
ton from the funds placed by Congress his disposal
would that the true ground OF attack for that
reason would he such allowance aud not the principle OF
the reform It always painful to great subject
belittled by false and irrelevant issues.
Another charge is that nothing being done in the
way OF Reform President does not upon
the views of certain advisers in sending mnations
into Senate II ia plain TO any candid mind that,
nominations requiring confirmation by the Senate
action on part OF the Senate and the President
have charge to the effect that the President has
reason to think that Reform particular will
be long delayed after the methods being applied
have filled the lower places with better class OF
officers
The Summons appointment has been made the
cason OF much comment but 1t is hardly appropriate
correction OF a misleading statement IL has been
one for Collector OF Boston to be from among
.subOrdinates in the customs service ,,r OF the
selections be made from the subordnates IN the Gus
toms district" Mr.. Simmons was subordinate
occasion TO refer to any other considera-
not make this Correction hardly need say, because
feel called to defend the President but only be-
Of Reform preudiced by miseonception as to
the incidents of exciting exercise of Executive dis
have not alluded several of your inquiries. few
words in answer to your question what can De done
the Reform has dutyifor them as oil as for the Pres
dent and for this Commission While those no are called
criticised there little censure Of those officials who
press Executive for shares OF the spos in every
State city village where unworthy men trying
get into office, the patriotic CITIZENS oneht 70 unite
Service Reform.
duty OF Reform is not confined to ,he federal
tion discussion and united action among the people
an effort withstand the pressure OF mereenary par
sanshp. The aid OF high and stern pubic opinion Is
needed. . A.,
accepting the artful representations OF interested par
tions of extreme Radcais~to the effect that little
being attempted that IT is not worth conendIng Tor
adrot than their strange allies for they at the same
time trying gain strength 10 break down the new sys
so much that il not arrested will destroy the trade OF
politics and undermine the authority OF party managers
II those who themselves because so little Is al
tempted, could see how their arguments are used by
those who oppose tho Reform because 80 much IS at
tepted they would perhaps be wiser. IL u no way 10
win q battle TO tell your enemies you nave nOthlhg
worth fighting for The fact - that as much Is now
equal The dangeri want OF strength patience, ana
courage the ground we mold until II can Dc
rift ad
ton. and the claims OF personal merit as against paru
sSn denartments at washington aud in the Federal
Tbere can be no greater mistake and folly than TO
derrate the importance Of this trial competitive eH
aminations thus trial, pronounced failure, Cv
Service Reform will suffer a long eclipse.
the possibility OF Improvement by substituting any
other system for the spos system VIII be SAID TO haye
ON the other hand more capacity and better character
are shown to be secured in these departments aud
offices, the system Will be yindlcated ana
will be speedily extended all over the country
indeed the people are 100 corrupt ana unparloe
to profit by good example In that event OF course all
reform this generation at least o FORM lq ~
men-f it shall suffer defeat, the responsibility WIZ
reasonable persons who, demanding complete re.
form at sweep, seofn the slower ne" ,noss
selfish and cunning politicians who oppose every mea-
which inteferes with thedr OK ha
abuses which several generations have wrought INTO
once They be disentanged by the steady laeors
OF Reform demanding patience COURAGE sell saernce,
and fatb III the friends OF the Reform shall be wanting
i'm these qualities the fact will be not the less dangerous
than the formidable attacks OF ITS avo"ed enc
mics. -, II. ......z.
The leaders OF mercenary politics are active constant
ana al ways ready maintain the contest over the mar
rowest issues Instead Of saying that the departments
AZ Washington and the great Offices IN New YORK are
not notice. they ready for battle about
the hum biest clerksp aud the smallest drpplnRs OF
natronape Cannot friends be wise IN their gem
rstion n the works OF Reform shall he captured by
those enemies despise not the days OF small things
will II he much consolation to be told that our own
friends had said that they not worth holdingi