New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-26
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

The failure Of the new plan inaugu-
rated by Congress few years since to
work out reform in the civil service, it is
thought, will not have the effect to de-
feat efforts calculated to restore honesty
and efficiency in the public service. The
failure at this time comes from cessa-
ton of supplies by Congress to pay the
salaries and contingent expenses Of the
Board of Civil Service Reform; and the
fact that Congress has not made an ap-
preparation to keep up the new system
leaves it to be inferred that that body is
convinced that the new plan to secure
the appointment of capable and trust
worthy officers is more costly and far
less practical for achieving that purpose
than the practice the government fol-
lowed in this respect prior to the enact
ment of the civil service laws and the
adoption of code of civil service
rules. It is more than likely that
Congress has come to the conclusion
that the old methods of regulating
the civil service through the heads of de-
partments is the best, inasmuch as they
are better able to test the qualities of their
subordinates than the examining boards
under the new system that travel over the
country for that purpose, and have but a
short time to devote to individual exam
Ty~1ar %t,o o11 VII, oL
has existed with but little interruption
since the formation Of our government,
the heads Of departments have determined
and passed upon the qualifications Of their
subordinates.
The appointing power, subject to be
abused, has always been more or less
controlled by members of Congress, but
the new system was doubtless intended
to modify this power Of Congressman by
making appointments more dependent
on civil service board controlled by the
President. There is no doubt but the
appointing power may be abused, no mat
ter where it is lodged; but as the OBJ
ject should be to adopt a system of civil
service that will avoid as much as posi-
bic the abuses that will, through favorit-
ism, etc., creep in under any plan, the
wholesome check that heads OF depart
ments have on bad appointments, in their
power to discharge, for incompetency,
under the old system, is far better for re-
forming purposes than anything that is
presented in the new method which Con-
gress has just voted down by refusing to
give it a renewal of vitality. Besides,
there is no guarantee against abuses IN
der the new system. The gentlemen
composing the civil service board might
be a little above the average Of good that
is to be found in men chosen to go to
Congress, and yet not be perfect They
would be just as likely to have their weak
points as members of Congress, and
in that case they could prac-
tice their abuses independent of
heads of departments and members of
Congress, VIII ION the people would hold
responsible for any deficiencies that would
thus occur in the public service. If the
people decide to have reform in the civil
service, it is thought they can best seek
it under the old system, which makes the
administrators of the government respon-
sible to the people for the acts Of their
subordinates and the successful workings
Of all the departments of government.