The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-12-06
CIVIL SERVICE REFoRM

The organization Of the civil service of the
country has for a number Of years attracted more
and more Of public attention. So general has be
come the opinion that the methods of admission
to it, and the conditions of remaining in il are un
sound that both of the great political parties have
agreed in the most explicit declarations OF the ne
cessty OF reform and the most emphatic demands
for it ] have fully believed these declarations
and demands to be the expression Of sincere con
viction OF the intelligent masses of the people upon
this subject, and that they should be recognized
and followed by earnest and prompt action on the
part of the Legislative and executive departments
of the Government In pursuance of the purpose
indicated before my accession TO office eudeavor-
ed to have my views distinctly understood
and upon my Inauguration my accord with the
public opinion stated i'll terms believed to be
plain and unambiguous. My experience in the
executive duties has strongly confirmed the belief
IN the great advantage the country would find in
observing strictly the plan of the Constitution
which imposes upon the executive the sole duty
and responsibility Of the selection Of those officers
who, by law are appointed not eected-and which
in like manner assigns to the Senate the complete
right to advise and consent to- or to reject the
nominations made, whilst the House Of Repre-
senatives stands us the public censor of the per
tormances of official duties. with the prerogative
of investigation and prosecution in all cases of
derelictlOn.
service may, as think, be traced in most eases to
practical confusion of the duties assigned to the
several departments Of the Government. My pur
pose in this respect has been to restore the system
established by the fundamental law, and to do this
with the hearticst co operation and most cordial
understanding with the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives The practical difficulties in the Selec
ton of the numerous officers for posts of widely
varying responsibilities and duties, are acknowi
edged to be very great. No system can be expect
ed to secure absolute freedom from mistakes. and
the beginning of any attempted change of custom
is quite likely to be more embarrassed in this re
spect 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 Senate which, when acting up
on nominations as to which they may be disinter
ested and impartial judges, seem as strong guar
anty OF freedom from errors of Importance is
perhaps possible in human affairs. In addition to
this | recognize the public advantage of making
all nominations as nearly as possible impersonal.
If the senses of being free from mere caprice or
favor in the selection and in those offices i'll which
special training is of greatly increased value, be
lieve such a rule as to the tenure of office should
obtain as may induce men of proper qualifications
to apply themselves lndustriously to the task Of
becoming profcients Bearing these things in
mind have endeavored to reduce the number of