Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1876-08-10

high places of power to the lowest have
.oyerspread the whole service like lep--
rosy. The other evil is the organization
of the Official class into body of political
mercenaries, governing the caucuses and
debating the nominations of their own
party and attempting to carry the elec-
lions of the people by undue influence
and by immense corruption funds, sys-,
tematically collected from the salaries or
fees of ofice-holdsrs. The official loss
in other countries, some times by its own
weight and some times in alliance with
the army, has been able to rule the un-
organized masses even under universal
suffrage. Hereit has already grown into
gigantic power capable of stilling the
inspirations Of q sound, public opinion,
and of resisting an easy change OF ad-
ministration until mis-: government be-
comes intolerable and public spirit mas
been stung TO the pitch of civic reVoiu-
ton. The first step in reform Is the ele-
vation of the standard by which the ap-
pointing power selects agents to execute
official trusts. Next in importance IS q
conscientious fidelity in the execution OF
the authority to hold to account and dis
place untruSSworthy or incapable su bor-
dinates. TIE public interest in an hon.
est, skillful performance of official trust
must not be sacrificed to the use OF the
incumbent. After these imm ediate steps
which will ensure the exhibition OF bet
ter examples we may surely go on to the
abolition of unnecessary offices, and final
ly to the patient, careful organization OF
a better civilservice system under the
tests wherever practicable, of approved
competency and fidelity. While much
may be accomplished by these methods,
it might encourage delusive expectations
| if withheld here, the expression of>my
conviction is that no reform of the civil
service in this country will be complete
and permanent, until its Chief Magis-
trate is constisutionally disqualified for
re. election, experience having peatedly
exposed the fatality of selfimposed re-
strictions by candidates or incumbents.
Through this solemnity only can he be
effectually delivered from his great tempt
alton to misuse the power and patronage
with which the Executive is necessarily
charged.
CONCLUSION.
Educated in the belief thatitis the first
duty Off citizen of the Republic to take
his fairallowance of care and trouble, in
public affairs, have for 40 years as a
privatecitizen fulfilled that duty; though
occupied in an unusual degree during all
that period with the concords of Govern
ment, have never acquired the habit OF
official life. When year and half ago
I entered ,.pon my present trust, it was
in order to consummate reforms, to which
I have already devoted several of the best
years of my life.
Knowing as I do, therefore, from fresh
experience how great the difference be-
tween gliding through All official routine
and working out reform of systems and
policies, it is impossible for me to con
template what needs tbbe done in the
Federal administration without an anxi
Gus sense Of the difficulties of the un
dertaking. IF summoned by the suffra
ges of my countryMen to attempt thi'
work, shall endeayor with Gods help
to bethe efficient instrument of their will
| (Signed.) SAMUEL J. TILpEN.
To Gen. John A. McClernand, Chair
man, Gen. w. B. Franklin, Hon. J. j
Abbott, Hon. HI. Sponnhurst, Hon. H
j. Redfeld, Hon. F. S. Lyon and others
Committee, etc.