Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-10-27
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

The recent meeting Of Republican Con-
gressmcn at Washington, which was held
to consult upon the situation, has brought
this question of Civil Service Reform
more prominently before the people. 1t
appears from the tone Of the remarks
made at the meeting, that but few Of those
present were friends Of the Presidents
policy or rather of that part OF it which
relates to the Civil Service. OF true re-
form, everybody who holds good govern
meut in reverence, is in favor, aud this
leads us to the inquiry, what does true
reform consist in
1t is impossible for us to sec what re-
form is to be effected by the Presidents
order loibidding all Federal Officers from
taking an active part in politics. There
are, OF course. limits beyond which such
an officer should not go, yet it would be
hard to lay down n rule defining just
where that limit is. What would hold in
one instance. would not hold good in
I another. II is not 10 be desired that
/ Federal officers should descend to the low
arts Of low politicians; pack conventions,
/ or put up states and then throw the weight
Of their official patronage and influence to
have the slate foisted upon the people
But neither is it desirable tha: any other
class Of men should do this; purity of
elections, right from the very ground
work is the grand essential offree govern
ment. Federal officers are brought to
public notice in the frat instance by the
part they have taken in political matters.
They occupy the same relation TO the
National party that tho county officer
does 70 the local branch Of that same par
ty. The one is elected by the people to a
county Office, not because he has special
qualifications for that Office (for there may
be a score of others equally qualiGed), but
rather because lie has those qualifications
and aspires to bis position. The other is
appointed by the appointing power FOR
similar reasons. 1t is not the use Of the
appointing power which we have TO fear,
bat Il abuse. The system has obtained
Of permitting the Congressman from
State to exercise a controlling influence
over the Federal appointments within the
State and 1t is in this practice tha! the
abuses Of the appointingpower arise. The
President and Heads Of Departments can
know but little Of the character and quail
ilications Of those who ARE seekers after
governmental positions, the Senator or
! Representative are presumed to know
who they recommend. 1T too frequent
ly happens, however, tdat the Congress
1 mans rccommeHdati i- based more up-
on party services than personal merit,
hence Civil Service Reform becomes
popular watch word--people favor it,
without hardly knowing how the propo.-
cd reform is to be bGoughtubout. ltdoos
not follow that because n man takes in
forest enough in the principles OF his par
ty to desire to see lis party successful on
all occasions, that lie is either incompe-
tent or a rascal, and If be be either one or
the other OF these, his ab,taiuiGg from
active politics viii not hclp his case bit.
We take it that true Civil Service Re-
form means that none but honest ana
competent men shall be ass grcd TO pub
lie position, that if such are already in
place they shall not be removed 10 make
room for those whose claims ARE based on
political services only. Again, reform
would seem 10 Indicate That whore dis
honest or incompetent mcif are already in
Office their places should be at once sup
piled with others OF theright kind. Such
Il reform rs this would be wholly accept
able to Tie body ofthc people ofall shades
Of politics. And while We do not question
but there are at times grave abuses Of the
appointing power, the remedy does not
lie in rendering nugatory the influence
and abilities Of a large class Of men sim
ply because they are employed in the
public service.