National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-05-14
FURTHER THOrGHTS on CIVIL SER
VICE.

VICE.
There is something iucougruous and un.
satisfactory in the results Of the reforms
instituted by the Government in creating
and fillirg vacancies in the Departments
which will not all to impress the public
mind LniayorGbly 10 respect Of the practi
cal utility Of the methods adopted Not
because there is disposition to doubt the
sincerity Of the Administration in ITS pro.
fessed desire to introduce a higher pin.
ciple than that OF politics In the distribu
ton of the Cfices in its Girt. or because
there is not great reed of such an innova.
ton on the old system OF appointments,
but because it will be difficult for the
people to understand the merits of the
principle, judging from the consequences
OF its operation every day attracting the
general notice, and moving the common
sympathy to prejudice against the cruelty
they iDhict upon unofendng lives. II
may well be doubted whether the terms
of the most formal statute can impose an
Obligation upon Executive discretion 10
disregard the pubic welfare and turn
away competent and f,ithful employees
who have of right relied upon their eff
cheney and honesty as a sufficient guaranty
of their position ior the purpose of making
room for others who bring no superior
claims to merit while they necessarily
come with the knowledge on their own
part and that Of the Government that they
lack the experience essential TO the highest
usefulness Of clerical service. snd conse.
quently with far less fitness for the duties
they are TO undertake than these who are
retired for their benefit, and ;hsirs oHly, tor
certainly no one vii! contend that the
Government will lie gamer in such
cases.
Nor viii It do for those who assume to
be the esrec'a. agencies of reform in the
civil service 20 pl'cd the existence oil Il
law passed by collusion among political
leaders to parcel out the public offices as
matter OF plunder, and 10 enable each
other at all Zines TO brow exactly when
they could demand 4 removal and iusist
upon the appointment OF some lavOrite
heuchmar. Such is the law requiring the
distribution Of cierkships among the
States and Territories in proportion To
their population. 1t is directly IL the in
tersst of politicians, and obviously con
templates appointments for political rea
sons, based upon assumed pCli,i,sl rights
II II is not an attempt ~ rerogI'ye the pc.
htical right Of the people OF the several
States to have their propoItionate share OF
the Fedora! Offices what right is sought
10 be secured by The 'aw? 1t is not within
the ingenuity OF rsn TO define the
right to be projected as any Oher than a
political one; for al the nights OF The
States, as such, affecting theit Federal re
l.iious, are OF that deuom nation. And As
there can be no slCh thing as 4 right tc
hold office, either local OF national except
In pursuance OF al election by the people
or appointment by competent authority
any law Of Congress puTport!ng TO c;e4It
such right in the people Of a State is =:
absolutely void as II II had gone further
and sought to give each county and town
ship Of the severs! States The same protec-
ton. or had vested the right q particular
individuals. II is also imperative and
void because there is no power 20 enforce
il. The President is the represt NATIVE o.
the executive powes .o,e.y. and Congress
has nothing more 20 do with il than thu
judicial branch Of the Government Sup
posing. therefore, the President declines Il
make an appo nlment as directed by tn,
statute, be is violating nc law. for althouel
enacted il is aot law. and IN all such case
il is held 10 be nigh moral duty 20 Gec.ln,
Observance, with view OF obtaining Judi
cial tccIsicG upon salute believed 10 b.
injurious 10 The public n:r;cst
As this law va. nev=f thought 10 be
measure Of rc!cTm but WAS Always re
caTdrl as !edEaz he proportion OF patron
age BELONGING 10 SeLA:c!i And members
and WAS male !0T iad :.Cse. Il Is tn
litigation OF duty 81 trote sAv;ug al hear
the reformation Of he CIV! service 10 re
fuse 10 Iccosa Le H. &c TIE cad that It's pro
visions may be tested before the pTope
tribunal Ce.,ainy they should not usk,
vacancies by d:,p.ac.Gg u.ed aud ;a!th:u
clerks io install inexperienced ability Ano
INFESTED integrity, under void ana v!ciou
law, when Il can be cast down TO the leve
OF politics at the date o! It's passage BY s.
simple and harmless. meluS II not how
eyeI, disposed 10 do This, still, how
easy to defer acton until Congrrs
should have sn opportunity 10 re
peal the law, II upon proper shown
/, be found TO be unwise. But, If the OF
jrel 10 to rcform the civil service. see wha
will be the result in not impossible con