National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-03-28
THE NEW CIVIL SERVICE

pOsttl0DS 10 tne uOvernment ana 10 nu-
manly.
THE NEW CIVIL SERVICE RULES.
One other matter connected with civil service
reform has ALEC been considered by the Presi-
dent and his CahInet-to what extent good Off.
GERS whose terms have expired shall be reap
oieers who have served faithfully for four years,
and whose administration is satisfactory to tho
IN snG As PsSps En siSy
brine Jasie claim 70 be ,SeSIpCnsSS' Tn: sOn
The cases Of officers who have served eight years
have been thought to involve an additional
principles; that is, whether IN majority O. cases
vice to have q change once in eight years.
Abuses will grow up even under good otfioers
changes viii creation
office. holding class antagonistic to the spirit Of
our institutions There are some other reasons
perpetual tenure oil once may not DO desirable.
All these things have been carefully considered,
that q person holding once TOR eight years has
much less claim for reappointment than one
This '0 decision viii not prevent the rosppcInt
ment Of a postmaster, for Instance, who Is mani.
testify the best man for the place, even Il he has
ali 10 clerk ships in the Departments m Wash.
inpton or elsewhere, or to Offices which require
Fl GRs Re%son n
March -.
A sweeping modification Of the regula-
lions pertaining to civil service cannot, of
course, be instantly put Into force. 80 as to
fit every case. But as the attention of the
President and his Cabinet Is from time to
time called TO incongruities in the pro.
POSED regulations, so for as foreshadowed,
we trust they will make II their pleasure
to change their programme accordingly.
Thus they can eventually work out per
feet system.
To illustrate we would call attention to
the foregoing paragraph, as embodying
most fallscious idea in connection with the
civil service. II reformation OF the civil
service is Tor the purpose of lettering that
service ard purifying the public atmos
pbeIe, then we must take the liberty Of
suggesting TO the learned gentlemen who
have been engaged upon the "Rules" that
tie longer faithful officer serves the more
the interests and welfare of the Govern.
ment are promoted. When he ceases to
promote, or 10 care for, such interests and
welfare then there is cause to remove. But
until then he should be encouraged by the
Government in well-doing. and given to
understand that so long as he continued true
TO his trust he would be sustained and
kept in the service. Fit Is for the good of
the Government to continue him at the ex-
piration Of four years, then it certainly is
self evident proposition that the additional
skill and efficiency acquired by him each
additional year that he remains makes his
value to the Government all the greater
the longer his service lasts. This applies
not only to heads Of bureaus and clerks In
the Departments, but to consulates, Iudan
agencies, marshalships, coilectorships and
all that 60 to make up the service. Changes
are &C silly in every Instance, and often dis
as,rous to the Government. The outgoing
officer often sees want staring him In the
face, and in his desperation either neglects
his duties and plunges into dissipation or
takes the first false step Of his life as pro-
vision for the future. The incoming Off
Ger finds and crestes confusion from un.
familiarity with his duties, mistakes occur
| that 1t takes years to correct, and evils Of
| different descriptions continue to grow out
of the new relations for months If not years
afterward. This Is particularly the case
with the larger collectorships, both of in
ternal revenue and customs where there
is complicated system of accounts and
reports which must be carried along
in harmony with those Of the Depart
ments or endless confusion follows.
Years do not secure absolute perfection
in this respect Then the general prin.
ciples and laws governing the administra.
ton of such offices, both as to domestic and
foreign matters, can be well understood
only after years Of study and practice. We
urge the gentlemen having charge of the
Departments, and we appeal to the Presi.
dent himself, not to adopt any such false
theory as that after an officer has served q
few years he should be reappointed, but
should not be If he serves a few years
longer.
That Is simply keeping in the rut of the
old spoils system. 1t is virtually saying to
an officer, "You have done well, been
faithful to the Government, and we cannot
complain; therefore you must make room
for some one else. to do well, though pos.
sibly the new incumbent may prove ut
terly incompetent and untrustworthy.
With all due respect, such theory is alb
surd and unjust. Its fallacy will not stand
the light of the peoples criticism when
they come to see 1t put In force. The great
popular heart Of the country longs for a
genuine publication Of the civil service, Tor
purer political atmosphere, for healthier
and better administration of public affairs
generally. The political party that leads
off in this reform. and proves its sincerity
by its works, will be generously sustained
by the country. But even the Republi.
can party, II it continues to keep IN the
old ruts, will pass out Of sight ut
the next great ,riil. POll,ical iI,rigu",
the fear Of politicians and the hoFe Of