Yankton daily press and Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1875, 1875-05-15
SOCIAL SCIEN CE.
Discussion Of Civil Ser
vice Reform. "
The President Of. the Gommis.
sion Fixes the Responsible.
ity Of its Failure.
why our best Men do not get
ONCE.

SOCIAL SCIENCE.
Civil Ssrvies Rsform m-The President
Of the Civil Service Commission
Speaks his Piece.
DErRo1r, May 14.-1n the Socia
Science association this morning,
Hon. d. B. Eaton, president Of tho
late Civil Service Commission, read a
paper on the experiment of civil ser.
vice reform in the United States,
which was extremely lengthy, but
Was. listened to with marked attention
by large audience. He began by
SAYING that ~the deliberate and need
less abandonment of plan by which
great nation had entered successfully
upon reforming its greatest abuses,
may well arrest the attention of all
thoughtful persons. Never before in
our history has there been such sur
render Of the higher to the lower ele-
ments in our politics. Heretofore in
every great struggle for reform we
have fought it out to victory upon the
line Of our advance, and have planted
our standard high up in the light of
inspiration. After dwelling upon the
disasters which must result from the
). total ahand donment of this reform, the
dismay Of honest men and delight Of
partizans and office seekers at this ma
tional breach pledges and disgrace; !;
he proceededto consider the justifca.
\ tion and responsibility of parties and
their future prospects. The in-
apguration Of the spoils system. com.
menccd with President Andrew Jack
son, who removed nearly two ,hous-
and officials in . year for partizan rea-
SONS. Earlier presidents removed
very few. The last report of the civil
Nseryice commission showed that no
officers had been removed for opinions
sake thst\ year; now, however we
have returned to the old detestable
SYSTEM. The republicah party in 1871
!, adopted civil service rules. Mr. Eaton
believed It would add to their strength
as people If the reform were in op-
eratioaIa>the battle field of party
there was nothing Sbut disorganizstion.
The evils Of the On system aud beau
ties Of the new were enlarged on. He
spoke Of the adoptian Of reform meas
ures aud their execution Of the system
Of rules, which was carefully matured
aud which congress approved heartily:
intwo separate sessions.
Tue republican party fully pledged
themselves to sustain the system in
its coagress, its. conventions and in
every possible way. The national
democratic and labor reform conven.
tions passed resolutions commending
it to state conventions. Public speak.
ers, editors and writer's praised the
president, and faith in him was in the
heart of al. Public gratitude was
part:of che ss9ardsof Mr. Curtis and
his follow conuisi siioners. The, ,domi-
1 nant party was strengthened BY the
popular vote, and everybody looked
for q better order Of government
These provided, FIRST against political
assessments, leaving every citizen to
contribute Is he wished towards the
promotion Of his political opinions; !;
second, that only . few ofthe highest
Offices should be filled by the dorni-
nant party, the others'to be filled by
the best men irrespective5of political
opinions; third, these last were to be
of good reputation, honest, and pass
. fair competitive examination of ap-
plicahts;; fourth, appointments were
to be made by superior board of
officers according to Interpolation, at
first, probationary, for six months.
and subsequently, on good behavior; /;
fifth, this power should not be execut-
ed arbitrarily, and that nobody sh ould
be removed without. cause, to make
place for another; sixth, that frequent
competitions should take place, and
examinations should be conducted by
non partizan commissioners, and sew
ensh, that promotions should be grad.
ed, admission being FIRST to the lowest
grade; eighth, records of each ap.
,pointee during his service should be
kept; ninth, that no person should
hc;d at the same time q state md i
federal Office; tenth, rules were thsi
intermediate class of collectors. sur.
yeyors and Others, though nat Nholly
exempt, INT 10 whom. competition Wal
inexpedient: The first trial, ,at least,
should hayes een een Z d llnlef, but here
the dill kc0lt point beset US, because
Of which 81. Gust The first chair.
man Of tn sooanmiasion believed he
could not retain ! position and use.
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