Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-08-05
IpvANDRIA GAZETTE AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISER.

Two evils in(est the official service of the Fed
eral Government one is the prevalent and de-
morsliZing notion that the public service exists
not for the business and benefit of the whole peo-
pie, but for the interest OF the 'flce holders who
are in truth but the servants Of the people. I'M
der the influence of this pernicous error public
employments have beon multiplied the mum
bers of these gathered into the ranks Of the OF
fec holders have been steadily increased beyond
any possible requirement OF the pup c business
while inethciency. peculstion fraud and NAL.
versstion of the public funds from the high
placs of power to the lowest, have overspresd
the whole service like leproSy. The other
evil i the organization of the official cl"ss int
body OF political mercenarles, governing the
caucusses and debating the nominations Of their
own party and attempting to carry the elections
of people by undue influence and by immense
corruption funds systematically collected from
the salaries or fees of oficeholders. The off ial
class i'll other countries, sometimes by its own
weight and sometimes in alliance with the army,
has been able to rule the unorgan!zad masses,
ev en- under universal suffrage Here it has al
! re.iy grown into gigantic power, CAPABLE OF
stiff ng the inspirations of u sound public opin-
ion. and Of resisting An easy change OF aiminls-
tration until mis- govern uenl becomes lnto cradle
and public spirit has been s.ung to tbs pitch OF
q civic revolution he first step in reform is
the elevation of the standard oy which tha sp.
pointing power selects agents to execute Official
| trusts. Next in importance is q conscientious
fidelity in the exercise of the authority to hold
t" account and disp!ace untrustworthy or inca
p.ble suoordinates.
The public interest in an honest skil!ful ser
| formsncc of official trust must t b. sacrificed
to the uses OF the incumbents. After these
imm dale steps which will insure the eXh btlon
! OF better examples we may wisely 60 on to the
! abolition OF unnccess ~ offices and finally to
the patient careful Organization OF q bette clv!l
service sy: ten under the tests, wherever practl-
! GA ln # Irovp6 and fidelity w blie
much may be accomplished by these mothods 1t
u; ght encourage deuslve expectations If with
/ held here the expression of my conviction That
no reform of the civil service in this country Will
| be complete and permanent until it Cnet Mag
s:ra;a is consttutionally disqualified tor r. cleo
! ticn. experience having repeatedly exposed the
lutrty Of selt-imposed restrictions By candidates.
or iucumbcrts. Through this solemnity only
can be Z eli: cua!!y delivered from MS greatest
temptation to misuse the power and patro'ago
/ with which tie Executive is necessarily charged
| Educated in The belief that it is the first duty
! of citizen OF the Republic to take his fair nj
lotnicnt Of Care and trouble IN pubic affairs, l
have for forty years, private citizen, fulfilled
+, that duty. Though occupied in al unusual de-
! gree, during ali ths; period, with the concerns
! Of g rerAIueEt have naver acquired the habit
| 0. official life. When year and half ago
! entered upon my present trust it WIS IN order
! to consummate reforms to which l had already
! devo,ed several of the bes: years OF my life,
| Knowing, Is | do. therefore, from fresh eZpe-
rence how great The difference is between Gid
ins through M official routine and working out
II reform OF systems End policies it Is Impossible
! for ne u contemplate what needs to be done IN
the Federal Admin strstion without Al NJ xious
sense of the d ilicu ties of the undertaking |:
summoned b} tue sulfrages of my countryme.i
, TO ntt.mpt this WORE, | shall endeavor, W! n
Gods help, to be The rEcienti"strumt III .: .Lelr
will SAMUEL }. TlLDES.