The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-04
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON. April 8, 1877.
NE NECESSITIES OF CIVIL SERVICE REFORM

WASHINGTON, Aprii ., 1871.
G1E NECESSITIES OF CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
coNoREssMEx CRYING OUT FOR RELIEF.
Among the forthcoming instructions for the reform
Of the civil service that most Immediately and ur-
gently called for Is one for the guidance oil members
OF Congress what ihoy TO say 20 the ONCE
seekers who are restoring them.
81 nave refused 10 sign any recommendations or TO
ale any claims or petitions tor Office" said member
OF Congress here to-day land have told hundreds Of
applicants that nothing would be done until the
Southern question was settled. But now they come
again by companies and regiments, and want
20 know what 10 DO. II II Is 10 be grab
game must suppose take part IN It TOR my constit-
uenta the President and Cabinet really mean civil
service reform then am ready and shall refuse every
body. II otfccseckng and applications Tor places
are 70 be considered al all; IL the door 10
len open 10 any one 4 and there Is 10 DO
policy bali prctence and naf reality, mon
] shall have TO push In with the rest The President
must hurry and make public his policy IN such detail
that we Congressman shall know what TO answer our
constituents"
The rush TO be greatest tor consulships
and places In The New York Custom House
Tnore Is story on tho street sha'
only one consulship is At this time vacant, the
salary Of which Is only $4,000 per annum, and that
there than 2, 500 applications Tor consush'ps
nle AS TO the New York Custom House, y has
about 1850 persons employed, and u Is believed
that under . proper system, at least QUO OF
these could be dispensed with and the service
performed better than It IS now But congressman
from different parts OF the country complain that they
troubled with applications for places IN This over
crowded Establishment
II is not generally known that the New York Custom
House contains officers charged to" Members OF Con-
Gress from OF the States OF the Union and from
al parts Of the Statcs OF New York and New Jersey
The President ought not to delay much longer some
definite declaration about Office seeking II he makes
Il known that no vacancies shall be made anywhere
merely to put on new men, that subordinates
Bha be dismissed only tor cause, that political SER
Vices shall not be allowed 'clalms,' and that
congressmens recommendations shall not be received
Is "dictatons, /" but shall be considered as those OF
Nher respectable people and no more-such an order
will great number OF anxious seekers for Office
10 their usual industries, and relieve members
Of Congress Of worry which many OF them would
BE- only too happy 10 escape A proper
and thorough reform IN the method of filling minor
places only here but all the country, would
have tho ready support OF all the best mon in Congress-
but TO retain favor for this the system must be very
rigdly maintained, because If there is favortism IN
instance, or II for any cause such rules are
violated then every member OF Congress demands AZ
once has sshare OF places"
There Ia another reason why some definite rules
about appointments should at once be made public.
Not few competent and worthy officers, who ought
be of their places, compelled 20
10 Washington sometimes from long distances,
10 defend their possession because they
are threatened with supersedure al the request
Of Congressman and other influential persons who
wish TO have their friends appointed. Even II the
President refuses such applications for change still
the attempts are made, and az the officer does not
know how far they may be successful he is put the
expense and anxiety to come hher and defend himself
against he knows not what. Whenever it becomes an
established fact by tho Presidents express public
order that dismissal shall be only for cause q CON-
petent and faithful officer will attend his duties
his post and let the politicians do their worst and Will
not suffer the hardship of having to to Wash
lnaton and haunt the OF Cabinet officers
and the White House.
lts TO he hoped, therefore, on many accounts that
he has With the Southern matter II no wishes 10
succeed no wi II IS very evident have break down
NJ once good many OF the abuses which have gath
cred about the civil service and which have become
nxed supersttons II is generally asserted here for
instance that according to the Presidents intentions
officer who has served four years faithfully may
count on reappontment but that If he has served
eight years he "has had his share" and must not
complain II he Is removed and put IN. 1t
s hardly probable that the President holds any such
silly policy as that which alone would subvert any
civil service, but in the absence OF any authoritative
public statement from him this absurdity Is taken for
law and gospel here and Cabinet officers and others
worried by persons who calmly and confidently set
mp "caims" on the score that the present incumbent
Of tho place they want has "had his share"