Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-08-17

ploy." The Convensicn wisely added that
reform is necessary, even more in the higher
grades of the public service President, Vice
President, Judges, Senators, Representatives,
Cabinet officers, these and all others in au-
thority are the peoples servants. Their Of
fees are not a private perquisite; they are
public trust"
Two evils infest the official service of the
Federal Government. One is the prevalent
and demoralizing notion that the public ser.
vice exists, not for the business and benefit OF
the whole people, but for the interest of the
oficeholders, who are in truth, but the SER
wants of the people. Under the influence of
this pernicious error, public employments have
been multiplied, the number gathered into
the ranks of of6ceholders have been steadily
increased, beyond any possible requirement of
the public business, while inef6ciency, pecu.
lation, fraud, and malversation Of the public
funds, from the high places of power to the
lowest, have overspread the whole service like
leprosy.
The other evil is the organization Of the Of
fetal class into body of political mercena-
ries, governing the caucuses and debating the
nominations Of their own party, and attempts
ing to carry the elections of the people BY
undue influence and by immense corruption
funds, systematically collected from the sala.
ries or fees of ofice-holders. The official
class in other countries, 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 q gigantic
power, capable of sitting the inspirations ofa
sound public opinion, and of resisting an easy
change of administration until misgovernment
becomes intolerable, and public spirit has been
stung to the pitch of a civic revolution. The
first step in reform is the elevation of the
standard by which the appointing power Sc
lects agents to execute official trusts. Next
in importance, is conscientious fidelity in
the exercise of the authority to hold to &C.
count and displace untrustworthy or incapa.
BILE subordinates. The public interest in an
honest, skillful performance Of official trust
must not be sacrificed to the usufruct OF the
incumbents.
After the immediate steps, which will in-
sure the exhibition of better examples, we
may wisely 60 on to the abolition Of unneces.
sary Offices, and finally to the patient, careful
organization of 9 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 expecta-
ton if I withheld the impression of my con-
viction that no reform of the Civil Service in
this country will be complete and permanent
until its chief magistrate 10 constitutionally
disqualified for reelection.
Experience having repeatedly exposed the
fntilty of selfimposed restrictions by candi'
dates or incumbents through this solemnity
only can he be effectively delivered from bis
greatest temptations to misuse the power and
patronage with which the Executive is neces-
sarily charged. Educated in the belief that
it is the first duty of citizen of the Repub-
lie to take his fair allotment Of care and
trouble in public affairs, ! have for forty
years, as private citizen, fulfilled that duty.
Though occupied in an unusual degree during
all that period with the concerns of govern
ment, have never acquired. the habits of Of
foial life. ~: 5a7. : ,.:n,
When year and half ago entered up
on my present trust, it was in order to con.
summate reforms to which had already de-
voted several of the best years of my life.
Knowing as I do, therefore, from fresh expe-
rience how great the difference is between
gliding through an official re ine and work.
ing out reform of systems aid policies, it is
impossible for me to contemplate what needs
to be done in the Federal administration,
without an anxious sense of the difficulties of
the undertaking.
If summoned by the suffrages of my coun-
trymen to attend this work, ! shall endeavor
with Gods help to be the efficient instrument
of their will. SAMUEL j. nLDEN.
To Gen. John A. McClernard, Chairman,
Gen. w. B. Franklin, Hon. j. j. Abbott,
Hon. 81. j. Spannhorst, Hon. n. j. Red6eld,
Hon. F. S. Lyon, and others, Committee, &c.