, 1876-04-27
THB first STEP TOWARD REFORMING
THE CIVI. SERVICE,

Tho English press does not find much en-
couragoment for reform in tho politioal sys-
to.n Of this country from the general outcry
that has been mado in both pnrtics against
tho corruption represented by BE1KRAp.
Thoro arc two roaaons why this popular in
diguation Iacks tho o1oments Of genuine and
permanent improvement. III tho first plaee,
tho indignation Is rather against tho inli-
vidua corruption than against tho system of
which it ia natural product. In the next
placo, both parties, in dealing with it, seem to
bo actuatcd by partisan motiycs,-tho Demo-
orats to uso it in thoir effort to displnco the
Republican party, and tho Republicans to
mako it m opportunity for showing their CO.
pacty and Willingness to punish official of
fondera inside tho party. Tiia is the general
sentiment Of the English pross, fairly reflect.
cd by recont arsiclo in tho paAilaN Budget.
It holds TINT tho only radical reform is 10 be
found in tho inculcation Of now political
ideas concerning tho Civil Service; TINT tho
punishment Of corrupt officials, whero cor
ruption is almost necessary incident Of tho
syatou1, will not reach moro thnn QUO guilty
man in toni and that, while DE1RNAr may
possibly bo disgraced for tho exposure Of
his corrupt practices, tho immunity enjoyed
by otAcrs equally corrupt but not exposed
will bo q standing temptation. SIT is i'm
possible to believe" says this journal, stint
tho people can have unshrinking confidence
In officials whom they send with immense
power and wrotchodly small salaries into q
profuBo society led by tho chiefs OF profitable
rings and tile most experienced lobbyists
md log-rollorB in tho country; and II further
Expresses tho opinion that "the Democrats,
who arc pursuing Republican offenders with
such flerco passion Of virtue, aro no moro
inclined than the adhorents Of tho Admins
tration to enforco tho only efficient remedy"
That remedy is tho reform Of the Civil
Service.
Tho people Of England are able from their
own exporionco to compare tho blessings OF
wcll-organizod Civil Service with tho evils
Incident to distribution Of oiIico By partyism
Or favoritis1n. Tho systom which now oh.
tains in this country was formerly the Bys-
tom in England, and tho same abuses We
now suffer were endured In that country.
Bribery, corruption, and incompetence wero
once as characteristic Of tho management Of
public atfairs in Great Britain as In the United
States. Individual cases wore thon exposed
and punished as with us at the present
time, though more generally md efficiently,
but these exposures did not correct tho
evils. It waA not till an organization on
scientific and business principles of the pub
lo service that thero was genuine puridca-
tion. The benodts of this organization, which
has bocomo moro and moro efficient with in-
creased ago. now assuro tho same honesty
and capability in tho management Of political
trusts % In tho control Of private enterprises
under tho officers Of corporations. Tho Civil
Service Of Crest Britain Ia no longer subject
to tho change In parties and tho accidental
integrity or corruption Of the men who ase
inductad into office under tho auspicea Of any
particular regime; but 1t has personnel
lifted to the duties Of public soryico by apo-
clal training. oflce-holding in England IL q
profession just rs reputable as law or jour-
nalism o. profession in this. Tho roaponsi-
bio duties are we'll paid for, and are dtxcharg-
I'd by men who hayo attained fitness by e1pe-
sience In tho subordinate gEalaa. Ihezo is