Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-08-12

are not private perquisite; they are a public
trust Two evils lnfest the official service of the
federal government. One is the prevalent and
DEMoRALIZING NOTION
That the public service exists not for the bust
ness and benefits of the whole people, bat for
the interest of oilice-holders, who are in truth
but servants Of the people. Under the inllu-
ence of this pernicOus error public employ
ments have been multiplied The numbers of
those gathered into the ranks OF Office holders
have been steadily increased beyond any possi-
BILE requirement OF public busine4pwhile inef-
fclency, peculatiOn. fraud and malversation of
public funds from high places OF power to the
lowest have re-, oversp pread the whole service like
OF the official class into body OF political mer-
cenaries governing caucuses and debating
nominations of their own party and attempting
to carry elections of the people by undue fnfiu-
ence and by immense corruption funds sys-
tematically collected from the salaries tees Of
oMce-holderS. The official class in other cOln-
tries, sometimes by its own weight and some
times in alliance with the army, has been able
yersal suffrage. Here it has already grown
into y gigantic power capable of sitting the
inspiration OF sound public opinion and Of
resisting an easy change of administration until
MIsGovERNMENT
Becomes intolerable and public opinion has
been sttlng to pitch OF strong revolution.
THE FIRST STEP IN REFORM
Is the elevation of the standard by which the ap-
pointing power selects agents to execute official
trusts. Next in Importance is Il conscientious
fidelity in the exercise OF authority to hold to
account and d5place untrustworthy or incapable
subordinates. The public interest in an honest,
skilltu performance OF official trusts must not bG
sacrificed to the use Of lncumbents. After these
immediate steps, which will insure an exhibit
tion OF better examples, we may wisely so on
to the ab0llshlng of unnecessary Offices, and
nnally 70 tne patient, careful organization OF d
better civil-service system under tests wherever
practicable OF proved competency and fidelity
Whiie much may be accomplished by these
methods, 1t might encourage deusive expecta-
| tions II Withheld here the expression of my con-
viction that reform of the civil service in this
| country will be complete and permanent unit
ITS chief magistrate is cOnstitutiOnally disquali
lied for collection, experience having repeatedly
exposed the utility OF self-mposed restriction
| ny Candidates or incumbents. Through thi
! formality only can he be effectually delivered
from his greatest temptation to misuse the pOwe
| and patronage with which the executive is neces
| sarIly charged. Educated in the belief that 1t i
| tne nrst duty OF citizen of the republic to tax
MS lair allotment OF care and trouble in publ
affairs, have Tor forty years as private citizen
| fulfilled that duty. Though occupied in an un
usual degree during all that period with concern
OF the government, ! have never acquired th
habit OF official life When, q year and hal
ago, entered upon my present trust, it was i
order to consummate reforms to which ha
already devoted several Of the best years of m
life. knowing As do, therefore. from fres
experience, how great the difference is betwee
| gliding through an Official routine and workin
out reform OF systems and policies, it is i'm
possible for me to contemplate what needs to b
done in the federal administration without
anxious sense of the difficulties of the under
taking.
Ii Ifslmmoned by the sufrrages of my country
men to attempt this work, l shall endeavol
of their will.
[Signedl SAMUEL j. TILDEN.
To Gen: JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Chairman
Ten. ". b. franklin, Hon. J. J. Abbot
Hon. f. s. Lyons and OtherS, Committee.