The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-07-07
THE CIVIL SERVICE HuMBUG.

| II looks very much as If Hayes ano
Schurzs grand civil service splurge' emoou'
led in "Order No. H. Was destined TO peter
out suddenly amid general guftaw AS
promulgated and everywhere understood II
{ meant tina, no person accepting office under
the government should hereafter be allowed
10 take any active part in politics-should
serve on any political commi,tees-attcnd
any political caucuses and conventions, make
any campaign speeches, or any contributions
for the success OF the party. In short, the
eighty or ninety thousand of the best men OF
the country who had been picked out as the
mos. competent and trustworthy to fill the
public offices were to be taken completely
out of all active part in the management OF
the party in power, and all others who as
pired to public positions were given to un'
derstand that prominence as political man.
ayers would be regarded as an objection to
their appointment in future. Under such a
regulation, what kind Of men would be left
to run the party? Not the best men, certain.
", for these Mr.. Hayes has carefully picked
out to fiji the offices. Not the next hes: men,
for these are in reserve 10 fill the ranks as the
present noble army of ofiiceholders die out,
Then none but the worst element can be lett
10 run the party-to advocate before the peo-
pie and indCctrinate them with those great
principles on the success of which depends
the conservation Of our free institutions and
the well being and prosperity of this mighty
western empire over which floats that gor'
geous Star Spangled Banner which was un
furled for our own especial gloritication by
Madame Freedom IN person from her noun
tain height, when she,tore the azure robe of
night and set star of glory there! Is this
civil service reform?
MIR. Vice.President Wheeler who left
Washington in disgust the day after the SEN
ate adjourned IN March and has not been
there since, says it is inexpedient and i'm.
stuff and nonsense. Gran
ny Dix tells the President In long and
kindly letter that he tried il once when Gov
ernor of New ork, we believe, and it proved
a narrowing failure. John Sherman laughs
and wnking with his left eye says, "Oh, the
order will doubtless have beneficial effect.
1t will force out Of politics an Objectionable
set of Federal officers, who have been manip-I
ulating the elections for their own personal
interest and attract a new element to pollti.
cal organizations standing nearer the people.
The new men who take hold to manage the
party interests will work harder and more
because they vii. be stimulated
by hope of reward for their services, and,
added the Secretary, the outs are always
stronger than the inns" In short, Mr.. .Sher-
man approves the Presidents order because
he regards it as "displacng inefficient politi.
cal workers and substituting class of men
who will 60 into politics solely for the re.
ward they expect to receive for their political
shrewdness
And the President, taking his cue from
Sherman, instructs his kitchen organ to ex.
pound order No. in substantially the same
way; for, says this inspired authority
1--WE are assured by those fully advised of
he purpose of the order that II is not intend.
I'd to interfere with the freedom or expression
Of any mans opinion or limit the privileges
II the citizen when In or out Of Office. The
,fliceholder will be at liberty to exercise his
Judgment and discretion in all relations of
he citizen the same as before, and to advO.
,a.e his views in all Respects as fully as ever.
L will not interfere with the privilege OF
writing or speaking on political subjects
With the greatest freedom, nor will 1t molest
my political relation maintained In common
With the citizens In general for The proper
discharge Of civic duties or for purposes OF
agreeable association"
And thus the humbug, alter causing very
ligh, commotion for a few brief days, Is ex.
,loded by its own author.