The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-08-28
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

trusted to incompetent political parti-
sans, is a conclusion to which every
honest and intelligent statist must as
sent. Place Is not at present the re-
ward Of fitness and fidelity to the SUI
preme interests Of the country. but
rather OF an INSCRIPTIONS zeal for par
ticular candidates and the adroit man
agement OF q party campaign. with so
defective q system, IL is by no means
surprising that our public affairs are
not satisfactorily conducted, and that
d demand for reform now rises loud aud
clear above all other issues in the pres
ent canvass. Ht1 at st}f E}t
In q speech recently delivered at De
flance. Ohio, by the Hon. Chas. Reeme-
lin, the various systems Of public ad-
ministration which obtain 10 the lead
Ing nations of the world are described,
and comparative view OF their merits
is presented. We will draw to some
extent on the facts thus furnished and
the comparisons made, but in order to
bring them within the limits OF this ar
ticle, must do so mainly In our own
language. Bt5l#
The German, French and English sys-
temps are compared, and the prefer
ence Is given to the German AZ the most
consistent and satisfactory Through o
plan OF competitive examinations, indi-
viduals intended for public service are
selected for special culture in the
branches most required in such service,
In the same manner that our West Point
students are trained for military
career, and after their final examination
they are placed In subordinate positions
in the service selected, and must then
look chiefly TO their individual merits
GATED and trained officials are always on
hand, with the chances in their favor as
to integrity and honor.
The French plan somewhat resembles
the German, though appointments to
positions OF trust depend more largely
on political opinions. and deficiencies
In technical and moral qualifications
are more readily overlooked. In Eng.
land, II we go back to the times when
George Ill. was King. all preferment
depended upon chance or favor. and not
till we approach our own times can any
thing like system In either civil or mill
Mry appointments be discovered
Prospective statesmen and diplomats
were educationally prepared through
the provident ministrations OF their own
relatives for their intended mission.
But Of late years matters have some
what improved, and what with the con-
troll Of the Commons In the matter OF
making and unmaking Cabinets, and
the exemption Of municipal officials
from arbitrary appointment and dis
missal by Ministers. an approach, at
least. to civil propriety and political re-
sponsibility may be discovered. Eng
land is, therefore, said to be wedding
her official garden and making her pub
lie service an object of legitimate ambi-
ton to her people. The door Of favor
itism has been pushed to, IL not locked,
but that OF universal qualification was
not at the same time opened to the in
capable and unworthy.
In this country the old grasping Nor
sTpsofI.1has obtained FOR i. years past, with it
scarcely an individual exception; and
Ii there be not places for all placemen
and a sufflciency OF spoils for all
who claim the benefits Of division,
new Offices are created without com
junction. and new spoils are sought
out, even IL the mailed hand Of authority
has to descend for that purpose into the
pockets Of the taxpayers.
Well, as every one knows. the coun-
try has become tired OF all this, and de-
mands a change in a voice SO thunder
toned that no aspiring politician dares
to disregard it. Thus it comes about
that the Cincinnati Convention, while |
indorsing the Administration which was
mainly responsible for filling our pub
lie offices with corrupt incapables and !
adding to their number for unworthy |
purposes, placed glittering generalities
n its political testirnent in favor OF re-
'orm, and Hayes, It's nominee, dwelling
IN these generalities, promised "un-
,paring prosecution and punishment to
I'll public officers who betray official
,rusts." In like manner Grant promised
oeace to the South, but gave it only the
larsh medicines OF war; he demanded
hat no guilty man should escape, and
hen schemed with vile conspirators to
lefeat the ends Of justice.
How different this from the ringing
ones Of popular and national sentiment
which came from the st. Louis Conven
ion and how still more different from
he words OF wisdom and far-seeing
tatesmanship to which Gov. Tilden
ave voice in his letter Of acceptance
lie demands, first an elevation of the
tandard Of appointments; next a con-
cientious fidelity in the exercise of
as to removals; then an
OF public interest by setting
etter examples; then the abolition OF
Offices. and, finally, an or