Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-08-22

the OASIS recognized by the st. Louis plat
form. The constitution of the United States,
with its amendments, universally accepted as
fnal settlement of the controversies which
engendered civil war, but aid result SO BEN
ehcent. The moral influence of every good
citizen, as we'll as every governmental author
ity, ought to be exerted, not alone to mains
tain their just equality before the law, but
likewise to establish q cordial fraternity and
goodwill among citizens, whatever their race
or color, who are now united in the one des.
tiny of common selfgovernment If the
duty shall be assigned to me l should not fail
to exercise the powers with which the laws
and the constitution of our country clothes its
chief magistrate to protect all its citizens,
whatever their former condition, in every po>
li'ioal and personal right
The public mind will no longer accept
shams. 1t has suffered enough from illusions.
An insecure policy increases distrust an un>
stable policy increases uncertainty. Tho reo-
pie wish to know that the government is
moving in the direction of ultimate safety and
prosperity, aud that it is doing so through
prudent, safe and conservative methods which
will be sure to inflict no new sacrifice on the
business of the country.
Then the inspiration of new hope aud we'll
founded confidence will hasten the restoring
processes of nature, aud prosperity will begin
to return. The St. Louis convention con.
cludes its expression in regard to the curren-
cy by declaration of its convictions as to the
practical result of the system of preparations
1t demands. II says: "'We believe such
system we'll devised, and above all intrusted
to competent hands for execution, creatingat
no time an artificial scarcity of currency, and
M a. AZ
withdrawal of that vaster machinery of credit
by which nine.fve. per cent of all business
transactions are performed.
a system open, public, and inspiring gen.
cral confidence would from the day of its
adoption bring healing on its wings to all our
harassed industries, set in motion the wheels
of commerce, manufactures and the mechanic
arts, restore employment to labor, and renew
in all its natural sources the prosperity of the
people. The government of the United States,
in my opinion, csn advance to = resum mptiou
of specie payments on its legal tender notes
by gradual and safe processes tending to re-
lieve the present business distress.
If charged BY the people with the admin
istration of the executive Office should deem
lit duty so to exercise tho powers with which
1t has been or may be invested by Congress
as hest and soonest to conduct the country to
that benifcent rcsult-civil service reform.
The convention justly afirms that reform is
pscsssat7 in .the civil serpices-nccessarv TO
purincaeon, necessSry -eeonoIs5 -assS4 ~.
efficiency, necessary in order that the ordiua.
ry employment Of the public business may not
be prize fought for at the ba!As box, brief
reward of party zeal instead of post of honor
assigned for proved competency and held for
fidelity in the public employ.
The convention wisely added that reform
Is necessary, even more in the higher grades
Of the public service. President, Vice Pres
ident, judges, senators, representatives,. cIbi.
net officers, these, and all others in authority,
are the peoples servants. Their Offices are
not private perquisite-they are public
trust. Two evils infest the official service OF
lent and demoralizing notion that the public
service exists not for the business and beno>
FIT of the whole people but for the interest of
tho Office holders, who are in truth but the
servants of the people.
Under the influence of this pernicious er-
ror public employments have been multiplied
The number Of those gathered into the ranks
Of officcholdets have been steadily increased
beyond GIy possible requirement of the pub
llo business, while incficieDcy, speculation,
fraud aud malversstion of the public funds
from the high places of power to tho lowest
have overspread tho whole service like q lep-
rosy. The other evil is the organization of
the official class in body Of political nercc>
n'ries, governing the caucuses and debating
the nominations of their own party, and at
tempting to carry the elections of the people
by undue Influence and by immense corrup-
ton by funds systematically collected from
the salaries or fees Of oficeholders.
The official class in other countries, some.
times by their Own weight and sometimes in
alliance with the army, has been able to rule
the unorganizcd masses. Even under univcr.
sal suffrage here it has already grown into gi-
gantic power capable of sitting the inspira-
tions of sound public opinion and of resist
ing an easy change of administration, until
misHgovcrnment becomes intolerable and pub
lie 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 executive
official trusts
Next in importance is 6 conscientious fdel-
ity in the exercise Of the authority 10 hold 20
account and disp!ace untrustworthy or incap-
able subordinates. The public interest in an
honest, skIIlful performance of official trust
must not be sacrificed. After these imme-
diate steps, which which will ensure the exki,
bition of better examples, We may 60 On to
the abolition Of unnecessary offices, and final
ly to the patient, careful organization of
better civil service system, under the tests,
wherever practicable, of proved competency
and fidelity.
While much may be accomplished by these
methods, it might encourage delusive expec-
tation if l withheld here the expression ofmy
conviction that no reform of the civil service
in this country will be complete and permI-
nent until its chief magistrate is constitutions
ally disqualified for reelection. Experience
having repeatedly exposed the futility Of self
imposed restrictions by candidates or incum>
bents through this solemnity only can he be