National Republican., 1877-12-07
CiviI-Seryice Reform.

we had supposed the primary purpose OF
civil-service orders and rules in the Govern
ment to be to secure ability and integrity
in the public service, and to make no changes
of experienced officials, except where their
terms of service have transpired or these
qualifications are found wanting. The pres
ent or any other administration will find no
more direct mode of qualification, under an
assumed oivil-servios policy, than to make
changes in the persornsl Of the civil service
for the mere purpose of rewarding friends,
when those to be displaced for that purpose
are known and acknowledged to be capable
and faithful public servants 1t matters
little whether these changes are made on
the part of the appointing power from party
or personal considerations, there Is hazard
TO the public servies in making them, when
they are the result Of causes foreign to those
relating to the integrity and ability of the
incumbents. To turn out ono good man
from position and put another in his
place who is no better, If rs good, is not civ
n-service reform at all; and those who ma
neuvre under such q policy will sooner or
later learn how much of popular distrust
will be challenged by the proceeding. We
venture the opinion that in nineteen cases
out of twenty, where removals have been
made or designations have been called for,
since the 4th of March last, and others have
been appointed in their places, the public
service has been placed in jeopardy or un-
der deterioration by the change. ,...a.
Where commissions have expired, and
the appointing power has deemed IT advisa-
bic to try an experiment by injecting new
material from the State of Ohio or elsewhere
into the public service, the action is less
pointed and noticeable than when suspen-
sions or removals are made to make room
for some personal or political friend or fam
lily relative, without any regard to the con-
sequences liable to befall tho public service
thereby. Every change brings a risk in the
way of capacity, integrity, and experience to
the public service, and true regard for its
efficiency and integrity will occasion much
hesitancy on the part of q genuine civil.
service reformer before changes are made
without just cause. We do not recognize
caprice or partiality or family ties as afford.
ing Just cause for turning one man out oi
place and putting another in his stead when
tho capacity and honesty of the party re.
moved are above reproach To do this only
brings ridicule upon the appointing power
and reproach upon the service. '.' "
In the city, of New York there are three
important offices connected with the collec.
ton of the customs duties of that port-the
collector of customs, surveyor, and naval
officer. Two of these offices are filled by
capable, efficient, and honest men, whose
terms of service have not yet expired. Their
duties have been discharged with marked
fidelity. Indeed there can be no hope ol
improvement under change, and yet an
attemp pit has been made to remove them, not
for cause, but from caprice, and Senator
CoNKLINa has interposed his influence IN
the Senate to prevent this serious infractior
of the civil service principles and rules oi
the Government and not without some
success. For this act of public duty and
benifcence to the service he has beer
reviled beyond measure by class
of superseryiceable politicians who al.
ways revolye aruund the seat Of power a.
the senseless miller floats around the lighted
wick. They are mere sycophants and fat
terers, who worship the rising sun and fee