The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-08-18

4
gal, specie paying times before the civil
war Vast masses of currency lie in tie
banks unused. a year and a-half ago the
| l'gal tenders were at their largest volume.
and the twelve millions since retired have
been replaced hy fresh issues of fifteen mill
mons "i bank notes. In the meantime the
banks have been surrendering about four
i millions month, because they cannot find
prnhtable use for so many of their notes.
| Ihe public mind will no longer accent
| sllams. 1t lms suffered enough from jilil.
slohs' An nsincere policy increases dis.
| trust. An unstable policy increases un.
certainty. The people need to know that
inc government is moving in the direction
OF ultimate safety and prosperity, and That
II Is DONG 80 through prudent, safe and
conservative methods, which will be sure
10 inlet no new sacrifice on the business
Oh the country. Then the inspiration of
| new hope and well-founded confidence
VIII hasten the restoring processes of ma
lure, and prosperity will begin to return.
The st. Louis Convention concludes IFS
expression in regard to the currency by
declaration of its convictions as to the
practical results of the system of prepara
tions it demands. 1t says: 1--WE believe
such system, we'll devised, and, above all
intrusted to competent hands for execu
ton, creating at no time an artificial scar
city OF currency, and at no time alarming
the public mind into Withdrawal of that
vaster machinery of credit by which nine
ty-five per cent. of all business transactions
are performed-a system open, public, and
inspiring general 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, manu-
lactures and the mechanic arts, restore
employment to labor, and renew in nil its
natural sources the prosperity of the peo-
ple."
lhe government Of the United States.
IN my opinion, can advance to a rcsump-
tlon OF specie payments on it's legal tender
notes by gradual and safe processes tend
ing to relieve the present business distress
II charged 10y the people with the admin
lstratlon OF the executive office, should
deem 1t duty so to exercise the powers
with which 1t hus been or may be invest
ed by Congress as best and soonest to con
duct the country to that benitcent result.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The convention justly affirms that Re
form Is necessary in the civil service ne.
cessary to It's publication, necessary to it's
economy and its efficiency, necessary in
orocr that the ordinary employment of the
pubic business may not be "a prize fought
Tor at the ballot box, brief reward of
party zeal instead ofposts ofhonor assigned
ior proved competency, and held for tlCiei-
W IN the public employ" The convention
wisely added that "Reform is necessary
even more III the higher grades of the pub
nc service. President Vice-Presidcnt
Judges, Senator, Representatives, Cabinet
oHccrs, these and all others in authority
are the peoples servants Their Offices are
NOT private rerqujsite they are public
trust"
Two evils intest the official service of
the Federal government.
One Is the prevalent and tlemornlizinp
notion that the public service exists not
Tor the business and benefit of the whole
people, but for the interest of the Office
holders, who are in truth but the servants
OF the people. Under the influence of this
pcrniclous error public employments have
been multiplied the number of those
gathered into the ranks of ofce-holdcrs
have been steadily increased beyond any
possible requirement ofthe public business,
while lnef1ciency, peculation, fraud and
malversation OF the public funds, from the
high places OF power to the lowest, have
oversprcad the whole service like II lcprosy.
The other evil is the organization of the
official class into II body of political mer-
cenaries, governing tho causes ami dicta.
ting the nominations of their own party.
and attempting to carry the elections of
the people by undue influence, and hy i'm,
mense corruption funds systematically col
lectcd from the salaries or fees of ofIc,.
holders. The official class in other coun-
tries, 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 it
has already grown into gigantic power
capable of sitting the inspirations ola
sound public opinion, and of resisting an
easy change of administration, until mis-
government becomes intolerable, and pub
lie spirit has been stung to the pitch of u
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 III inheritance is conscicn-
tious fidelity in tho exercise of the authori
ty to hold tn account and displacc untrust-
worthy or incapable subordinatcs. The
public interest i'll an honest, skillful per-
Torrance of official trust must not be sacri-
feed to usufruct of the incumbents.
After the immediate steps, which will
ensure the exhibition of better examples,
we may wisely go on to the abolition of
unnecessary offices, and finally, to the pa
tient, 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 delusivc
expectations if withheld here the express
sion of my conviction that no reform OF
the civil service in this country will he
complete and permanent until its chief
magistrate is constitutionally disqualified
for reelection; experience having repeat
cdly exposed the futility of self. Imposed
restrictions by candidates or incumbents
Through this solemnity only can he be
effcctually delivered from his greatest
temptation to misuse the power and pa
ccssarily charged.
CONCLUSION
Educated in the belief that it is the first
duty of IL citizen of the republic tn take
his fair allotmnt of care and trouble in pub
lie affairs, have, for forty years, us pri-
vate citizen, fulfilled that duty. Though
occupied in ali unusual degree during all
that period with the concerns OF govern
ment, have never acquired the habit of
official life. When, year and u half ago,
entered upon my present trust, it was in
order to consummatc reforms to which
had already devoted several of the best
years Of my life. Knowing asI do, there
fore, from fresh experience, how great the
difference is between gliding through, IN
official rnntinc and work ing ont a reform