The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-06-28
a Wholesome Example.

Ne July number OF llarpcr'S Magazine
contains an interesting article by the Hon.
Freeman II. Morse, formerly member of
Congress from Maine, on "Our Civil Ser
wee" After tracing the origin and growth
OF the ''spoils SYSTEM hitherto prevailing,
Mr. Morse closes with the following de
scription of the way in which the same
evil has been cured in England:
Many politicians oppose civil service re-
| form upon the ground that control over the
| public patronage necessary to keep their
| party well organized and in good working
condition. 1t is the selfish and personal
considerations that govern this class of
men which imbittcr and intensity our
| Presidential elections, and keep the whole
country in blaze OF unhealthy excite
ment. seriously disturbing business, and
often giving the canvass ANYTHING but
far expression Of the candOr and ntelli-
gence of the country.
Take away the hope Of reward, not only
would the canvass be equally interesting,
perhaps equally earnest. but free from Bit
tclmeSs, and it would be an honest discus
sion of great national questions in which
IL large class of our most substantial men
would take an interest-men who now too
generally stand llO0i, declining to mingle
III Il contest that seems to be carried on
more 10 get possession government plum
der than for any purpose OF public utility
If the needed reforms in our civil service
can he effected and made permanent our
elections would be conducted in Il far more
hAnpSt nd
be purged from the inlIammatory excite
ments, eNtraVagances. and dishonesty
which nov too often attend them. The
country would he quiet and free from the
agitation Of 0itice-seckcrs. and officials at
Washington could attend to the duties
their position demands, instead of devot-
ing their time to audiences of the great
army of patriots who make forced marches
upon the capital ut the inauguration of
every President, anxious to enlist and
serve ia any positions that pay well.
Satisfied as we are, and have reason to
be, with our own political institutions,
may we not yet learn something from
countries which have had many centur-
les Of experience in civil government
The English civil service. although NOW
brought to Il high standard Of honesty
and efficiency, was, down to and through
George the Thirds reign. and later. far
more corrupt in all its branches than has
ever been the case in America; indeed,
corruption and injustice often extended
to the Judiciary. Powerful lords and
commoncrS actually owned a majority of
seats III the House Of Commons They
dictated who should be elected to Parlia-
Il ftp,, ,,tt = Il
seats in the House Of Commons for thou
sands OF pounds. SO late as 1916, not
over onc-third of the members Of the
House of Commons We're elected by indie
pendent voters. limited as suffrage then
was. When members thus bought their
way into Parliament, we should naturally
conclude that they would scarcely he
proof against temptation when they cot
there. Administration measures We're too
often purchased through the Commons,
and the king himself was high bidder
Tor votes with money. peerugeS, and other
titles OF honor, AS one writer upon the
subject says The king had patronage
and court favor for the rich places. pen
SlonS, and brides for the needy" Horace
Nalpole relates that to obtain votes in
favor OF Lord Hutc's prclminaries of
peace "a shop WAS publicly opened at
the pay office. whittier the members
lIoclled, and received the wages of their
yenality in bank-bills, even to so low a
sum as E2OU for their votes on the treaty.
t25,0Oo, as Martin, Secretary of the
Treasury, attcrWard owned were issued
III one morning, and in a single fortnight
a vast majority was purchased to secure
the peace" MI under 0tticcrs-civil ser
wants as they are termed in Great Britain
We're mere stakes played for by the
higher officials, as they have come to be
with us by the great political parties
The English nation at last became dis
gUstcd and alarmed at the magnitude of
the evil. and turned for safety to remedial
measures. BY the exercise of great vigi-
lance in guarding the purity Of legislation,
and by the adoption of Il series OF meas
ures to raise the character OF their civil
service, the evil has been nearly, if not
quite overcome, and the English civil
s2lN ice is now brought 50 near to what
such il service ought to be, that in most
respects it is a model lor imitation. Com
pctitive examinations have been adopted
in all branches of the service. and when
best qualified and most meIitoriouS are
accepted. Politics and politicians have
no Influence over appointments, and, of
course, members Of Parliament control no
patronage. When 4 new minister comes
IN, there Is no change OF officers. except
me those composing the actual members
OF the government, such as the cabinet
ministers. under secretaries of state. lords
Of the treasury. the law officers Of the
crown, and a few others having special
relations with the government Those
actual members OF the government 90 out
with the retiring ministry; but removals
t0r political reasons are now unknown in
| the administration of the English govern
mcnt, and no removal is ever made as
| long as the officer is faithful and efficient
Or the contrary. they have a carefully
arranged system OF pensions, so that when
4 good officer is worn out in his country'S
| service he may not be turned adritt pen
niIess
70 this desirable condition have eNpc-
ricncc and necessity brought the English
civil service; Il similar experience and
| necessity have finally turned public attcn-
| ton to the Importance of Il most radical
| ltlpllI III lllt Sulllt bltllcll Oh service III
our own country. The President and
| ms cabinet are now engaged in earnest
attempts at such !; reform, and, so far IL,
We can Judge by what they have already
accomplished, with a firm determination
to perseVere and carry it through They
Will, no doubt, be strongly opposed by
| partlzan politicians, and probably efforts
Will be made to check the progress Of
their work; but they have the sympathy
and support OF the country to sustain
them in their patriotic endeavors and
their reforms will be carried to a reason
able, and it is to be hoped to a high de
| gree of success
| How the Actor Won the Heiress.