Ellsworth American., 1877-12-13
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

The organization of the civil service OF
the country las Tor number OF years at
trscted more and more Of public attention.
30 general hss become the opinion that III.
methods OF admission TO IL. and the condi-
tions OF remaining in il are unsound, that
both OF the great political parties have
agreed IN the most explicit declarations
for the necessity OF reform and 10 the IDoSt
emphatic demands for it. Lave fully be-
leyed these declarations and demands 10
be ,he expression Of sincere conviction
of TIA. Intelligent masses OF the people
upon this subject, and that they should be
recognized ard followed by earnest aud
prompt action { n the part OF the legislative
: aud executive departments Of the Govern
nent. Ia pursuance OF the purpose indi-
Gated before my accession TO Office | en-
deavored 10 have my own views distinctly
understood, and upon my Inauguration uy
accord with the public opinion WAS stated
IN terms believed 10 be plain and unsmbig-
nous. Ny experience in the executive du-
ties has strongly confirmed the belief Ia the
great advantage the country would find 10
observing strictly the plan OF the Constitu-
ton, which imposes upon the executive
the sole duty and responsibility of the Sc
lections OF those officers who, bv law are
appointed-not elected-and which in like
right to advise and consent TO, or TO reject
the nominations so made, whilst the House
OF Representatives stands as the public
censor of the performance OF official du-
ties. with The prerogative OF Investigation
and prosecution 10 all cases of derelction
The sleDishes and imperfections in tho
civil service may as | think, be traced in
most cases 10 practical confusion Of the
duties assigned 10 the several departments
OF the Government Ny purpose in this
respect has been to restore the system es-
tablished by the fundamental law. and to
do this with tbs beartiest corporation and
IN st cordial understanding with the Sen
ate and House OF Representatives. The
practical difficulties In the selection of the
Numerous officers for posts of widely vary
ing responsibilities and duties are scknowl-
edged 10 be very great. No system can
be expected to secure absolute freedom
from mistakes, and the beginning OF any
attempted change OF custom is quite likely
TO be more embarrassed in this respect
than at any subsequent period. 1t is here
the Constitution seems TO me to prove its
claim TO the great wisdom accorded to it.
1t gives TO the Executive the assistance OF
the knowledge and experience OF the Sem
ate, which. when acting upon nominations
as TO which they may be disinterested and
Juugcs, stCuue as stiouk q
anty OF freedom from errors of importance
as is perhaps possible in human affairs. In
addition to this / recognize the public ad
vantage OF making all nominations AZ near
ly as possible impersonal. II the sense Of
being free from mere caprice or favor in
the selection and in those offices in which
special training is ofgreatly increased val
ue, believe such . rule as TO the tenure
of Office should obtain as may induce men
of proper qualifications to apply themselves
industriously TO the task of becoming pro-
fcients. Bearing these things H. mind |
have endeavored to reduce the number Of
changes in subordinate places usually
made upon the change of the general Ad-
ministratioR and shall most heartily Coop
crate with Congress in the better systemat-
izing OF methods and rules Of admission to
the public service aud OF promotion within
it. as may promise TO be most successful in
making thorough competency, efficiency
and character, the decisive tests in these
matters.