New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-19
THE NEXT MESSAGE.

The announcement that the President is pre-
paung a special message to Congress on the
subject of Civil Service Reform, is received IN
some quarters with great uneasineSS Many
good Republicans, who are deeply impressed
with the imperative necessity OF harmonlzng
the differences in the party, so that the
President and Congress may act together
in defending the imperilled honor of the
Nation, dread the revival of what they look
upon as an untmcly quarrel. We are per-
suaded that their fears are grOundless. Mr.
Hayes has made some mistakes, but he has not
shown himself to be destitute of common
sense. He understands the temper of Con-
gress He understands the limitations upon
the Executive authority. He knows too much
to attempt what is plainly impossible
And. moreover, he comprehends the gravity
of the present crisis in the affairs of the coun-
try too well to waste in domestic brOils the
strength which ought to be reserved for the
attacks of the public enemy. We expect,
therefore, that his Message will be prudent
and kindly; and when he reailirms the princi-
pies Of the Cincinnati platform and the
pledges which we have all praised him so
heartily for making in accordance with it,
surely the Senate will have too much dignity
and right feeling to take offence with him.
There is no reason then why the Message
should do harm. Perhaps there Is no reason,
either why it should do good. Civil Service
Reform is not to be accomplished by messa-
gcs, proclamations, reports, rules, and COM
mittecs of inquiry. General Grant gave Us all
these cOntriyances sometimes one, sometimes
another, sometimes all at once. President
Hayes appointed Commission of Inquiry, and
after 1T had made number of admir-
able recommendations respecting the New
York Custom House, it was discovered
that the same recommendations had pre-
viously been made by Collector Arthur and
filed away in the Treasury Department with
out action. 1t is beginning to dawn upon the
public mind that if the Government service
has been corrupt and inefficient, the fault has
not been altogether with Senators and Repre-
scntatiycs and the engineers Of the political
machine, but principally with the Executive.
And if reform tarries now, it is because
the Executive negleCts the power already in
bis hands or does not know how to use it.
Senatorial influence cannot compel him to
nominate unfit persons for office. 1t cannot
compel him to remove valuable public ser
wants. And if it be said that the Senate will
not allow the removal of unworthy officers,
and will not confirm the nomination of
good ones in their place, the answer is,
Let Mr. Hayes try and see. The Senate
has done nothing yet to justify such a
prediction. The only disagreement between
the President and the Senate so far has been
in relation to the removal of Messrs. Arthur
and Cornell, and the Senate has refused to
advise and consent to their removal, on the
ground that they are honest and competent
officers. That the Senate is correct in this
Judgment is not seriously disputed certainly
it cannot be disputed by President Hayes.
Now, the right way to 90 about Civil Ser
vice Reform is to drop the discussion over the
New-York Offices, and proceed to abolish
abuses revise the rolls of subOrdnates, cut off
unnecessary expenses, and reduce the force to
a business basis with the aid of the present
Collector and Naval Officer. They both pro-
fess entire readiness to carry out the proposed
changes. Their friends insist that they are,
and always have been, in favor Of reform. They
have the advantage Of familiarity with Custom
House affairs, and nobody doubts their ability
This is the course which The TRIBUNE rec
commended at the very beginning of the Pres
Idents term, before the Quarrels began. The
Custom House has no doubt, been used az
political machine, but Collector Arthur was
not the originator of that abuse. He found
the system thoroughly established, and he had
no power TO change it until the word was
given at Washington. Now the word has
been given. Let him see what he can do.
If he fail there will be cause enough for de-
mandmg his removal.