National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-02-17

of pins, each one of the same quality, if
they only come up to certain standard and
pass the examination.
II is evident, in looking down from the
heights where repose is found, that there
are grades and variations, distinctions and
differences in the several hundred Govern
ment employees who are found on the
floor of the House. The member from the
Podunk district, even though fully up in
the three "R's," cannot hope to shine in
that coruscant circle where the honorable
Sunset CLEANS like the evening star-the
"venus" of the Democratic constellation,
as it were. And yet We are sometimes
inclined to think that he is just as valuable
in his place. Perhaps he is only polar
star ON the outside circle, but there is
steadfastness about his humble virtues that
shine continually from his place, such as is
not possessed by the efulgent meteor,
which only occasionally flashes before
our astonished vision The fact is that in
selecting n Congress, communities do not
rely ON mere formal standard. 1t would
be nonsense to breach such an idea. We
find that the dull boy at school who
never could pass an examination has
some way found his way there. And so in
civil life the practical. valuable, sound men
of today were not always the bright boys
in our younger years. 1t would be very
hard matter TO prove that the clever boys
average the best. The fact is, the value is
found by trial, experience and the peculiar
surroundings of ones life; their inclina-
tons and the bent of their minds decide
their most valuable sphere of usefulness.
1t is found after trial, not before. To make
technical knowledge the basis of it is to put
virtue to an arithmetical test. The condi-
tons are not harmonious. 1t does not mat
ter so much how clerks start on their
career as what they become after trial.
The best clerks and the best business men,
and also the best Legislators, would fire.
quently he very much puzzled to answer
the conundrums of the school,room. No.
The trouble is not here. 1t is in the fact
that after he has got his position, after he
has learned his duties and has become
proficient and valuable aid to the Govern
- AO oSSuAItS bAdt SiSih
can keep his place. No Government under
the sun has more valuable and proficient
corps of departmental employees than that
now engaged in this city. It is doubtful
whether any large business enterprise in
the country has more industrious or ILL
paid class of clerks, and it is certain that
there is mono that would have the shame
lessness to treat them as the Democratic
business firm of the House proposes to do.
When we think Of the general standard of
morality, industry, business efficiency and
of intelligence that obtains among the
Government clerks now in Washington, it
is matter Of wonder that they consent to
remain as public servants. Only the uni
versal dread that makes us
Rather besr the ills we have than fly to others
that We know not Of"
can account for it. None of them possess
a competency. Most of them have learned
the Government profession as their
means of subsistence. Few indeed have
anything ahead, saved from their meagre
pay; consequently they submit to the
badgerings Of false and niggard economy;
rather than resign positions where they
have become the mark Of every pretended
"rcformer' Of the day. 1t is a painful
spectacle, perhaps, to see this love of Office.
But it is easily explained. The Govern
ment clerks here are the proteges of the
Government. They have families and lit
lie children, in turn dependent on them, in
many cases. They have broken the ties of
their early homes and centred their hopes
and lives here. 1t is not easy for man of
wealth and freedom from carking care to
break such chains, but with them it is next
to impossible. They must submit to the
chagrin CT seeing their brothers at home
passing them in the race, and becoming in
dependent and helpful men, while they sit
here and arc pelted with mud. "nagged"
by upper officials and with the sword of
Damocles suspended over them, are the
subjects of every petty scheme Of economy
and the objects of all envy and abuse.
This matter indeed needs reform, but the
reformation should begin at the other end.
If Mr.. Cox can introduce system by
which he Can bring his colleagues up to the
same standard of usefulness and economy
in their sphere AS the Government clerks
exhibit in theirs, he will accomplish some
thing worth doing. Until then it is not
becoming in him TO introduce bill for civil
service reform. The system is good enough
now, but the clerks need protection. They
need some acknowledgement of their rights,
and they need to be treated as if they be-
longcd 10 the human family. To promul-
gate system Of economy AMI wholesale
abuse that tends to drive every self re-
SpCCi!ul man out OF Government employ,
and then reform the rest, will never ac-
compiish the purpose of purifying the
Government service Ia fact, there is no
such intention. The Government service is
now pure. No one can successfully i'm
puen it. The only point desired is to at
tGck them and promise something grandi-
lcguent for the future. If the country is
taken in by such devices, which it will not
be, then the object Of the so called REFORM
crs will have been accomplished.
EDITORIAL GOSSIp