Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-08-07

are not private perQulsite. They are a public
trust. Two evils infest the official service of the
federal government One is the prevalent and
demoralizng notion that the public service exists
not for the business and benefit of the whole peo
pie, but for the interest of the office holders, who
i'll truth bat the servants of the people. I'M
der the influence Of this perniclous error public
employments have been multiplied, the number Of
those gathered into the ranks of office holders
have been steadily increased beyond any possible
requirements of the public business, while incf
cheney, pecuaton, fraud and malversation OF the
public funds, from the high places of power to the
lowest, have overspread the whole service like a
leprosy. The other evil is the organization Of the
Official class into body Of political mercenarics
governing the caucuses and debating the nomina
tions of their own party, and attempting to carry
the elections Of the people by undue influence
and by immense corruption funds, systematically
collected from the salaries fees of office holders.
The official class in other countries, sometimes by
its own weight and sometimes IN alliance with the
army, has been able to rule the unorganized
masses, even under universal suffrage. Here 1t
has already grown into gigantic power, capable
of sitting the inspirations of sound public opn-
ion and of resisting an easy change of admins
tration, until msgovernnent becomes intolerable
and public spirit has been stung to the pitch of
civic revolution. The first step in reform is the
elevation of the standard by which the appointing
power selects agents to execute official trusts.
Next in Importance IS q conscientious fidelity III
the exercise of the authority to hold TO account
and displace untrustworthy or incapable suborh-
mates. The public interest in an honest, skiful
performance of official trust must not be sacrificed
10 the personal interests of the incumbents. After
these immediate steps, which will insure the exhi
bition of better examples, We may wisely go on
TO the abolition OF unnecessary offices, and finally
to the patient, careful organization OF a better
civil service system, under the tests, wherever
practicable. OF proved competency and fidelity.
While much may be accomplished By these meth
od., it mig ht 1uragc delusive expectations if
withheld here the expression OF my conviction
that reform Of the civil service in this country
will be complete and permanent until its chief is
con.titutonally disqualified for reelection expert
ence having repeatedly exposed the falacy OF self
imposed restrictions by candidates or incamben:s.
Through this solemnltv only can he be etiecsually
delivered from hi. greatest temptation TO misuse
the power and patronage With which the EXccn-
tive is necessarily charged.
POLITICAL PROMISES.
Educated in the belief that it is the frs. duty of
a citizen of the republic to take his fair allotment
cf the care and trouble IN public affairs. have
for twenty years, as private citizen, fulfilled that
duty. Though occupied in unusual degree
during all that period with the concerns of gov
ernment, have never acquired the habit OF official
life. When year and half ago entered upon
my present trust, 1t was order to consummate
reform, to which had already devoted several of
the last years of my life. knowing as do, there.
fore, from fresh experience how great the differ
ence is between gliding through official routine
and working out reform of systems and politics,
it is impossible for me to contemplate what needs
to be done in the federal administration without
an anxious Of the difficulties of the under
taking. If summoned by the safrages of my
countrymen to attempt this work, shall endeav-
or, with Gods help, TO he the efficient instrument
OF their will.
SAMUEL j. TiLDEN.
To General John A. McClernand, chairman; Ten
eral W. b. Franklin, Hon. j. G. Abbott. Hon.
II. J. Spaunhorst, Hon. H. j. Redfeld, Hon. Y.
5. Lyon, and others, committee, &c.