The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-04-11


re Extra session Effect OF the NV ~.
Dsrrer 81 asaMdtng Armtcs ~
ESruoiU-A change Dessr""ie. =.
from our regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, April sth, ISL.
Since the Southern question has been
settled, there is a dead calm IN politics.
that will probably be undisturscd until
the extra session OF congress, which,
those who profess 20 know say will as
semble on the 18th Of May. There is
much local interest in the effect and In
nuence of the new administration upon
the little. but by no means insignificant
world embraced ia the departments; and
this interest should be more than local
when we realize to what immense ana
influential proportions the civil service
has grown in the last seventeen years,
The changes contemplated, as toreshad-
owed in the rules recently published by
he different cabinet officers, Is well
as in the public and private
utterances OF the President,
will, il pcrsistently carried out, effect d.
rectly or indirectly at halt million OF per
sons, and it is no exaggeration to say that
it will produce silent Statutory revolt
uUn an the moral OF our government.
THE OLD BARBARIC MOTTO,
That TO the yicfors belong the spoils, has
had a most debasing influence upon
American politics, inasmuch as that with
a great many it has obscured the real
principles Tor which parties should con-
tend, and has made political contests, not
a statesmanllke advocacy and trial OF
great national policies, but a vulgar
scramble for profit and place. During
the early days of the Republic, and in
deed till the calamity Of war had bur
dened us with public debt, pension
lists, internal revenue, complicated
financial system. and an immense civil
service-the debasing influence of the
spoils system. was bnt little felt. But
now, when our civil service il much
more expensive than the army and navy,
and when Its rank and file is superior in
wealth, intelligence and influence to the
rank and file of the military or naval es-
Establishments OF our own or other coun-
tres the old question of the
DANGER or STANDING ARMIES
Has been brought home 10
rs in new and peculiarly menacing
form. The changes contemplated are
such as will make the tenure OF the cm-
ployes entirely dependent upon himself
and entirely independent of political in
fiuence. Ii i. desired, in short, to con.
vert the civil service from soulless po-
litical corporation, INTO an effective and
legitimate arm Of the public service. The
labor Of conversion will he llcrcuean,
and the reformers will be met at every
step with the obstacles and discourage
posed "damned CUSTOM but from the
character of those who have pu,
their hands to the plough, it is bellev
ed they will not look back. The evil is
deep rooted, it is said to have been plant
cd IN the days Of Jackson, and by "Old
Hickory" himself. If Hayes succeeds
in roofing it out, il will be glory enough
Tor one President. The man who la s
looked without shame and disgust behind
the scenes and seen how offices have
been distributed and to whom:they have
been distributed, is not to be elyied... The
reform about which there Is much Cos.
sip at present and no little apprehension
In the particular circles that will be et-
fected, concerns the elite army of occupa-
ton, or rather. without occupation,
THE CARPET HEROES,
Naval and military, that have figured 80
brilliantly in social campaigns at the Ma
tional capital. For years past there has
been the grossest favoritism shown by
the authorities here In the matter OF sta.
uoning the officer of the regular army
and navy. Qaits number are now or
the plains WHO have never seen anytLisg
bl; the toughest frontier service, though
repeated efforts have been made 70 have
some rotation that would give the army
officers some variety 10 their experience.
For years past the hotels. opera boxes
and saloons have been held against all
attacks bya favored ring Of titled mill
tary and naval exclusives,
WHO DRAW THEIR PAY
with military precision, but perform no
other military duty. II is shame TO
coniine these healthy young men, paut-
ing for distinction, TO hirtations oil
Pennsylvania avenue, and Lafayette
square. Let them have taste Of the
sweets OF life Oh the American Siberia,
lighting Indians, and Illuminating upon
hard tack; and, let those who have been
on the plains icr years be bani.hed 10
Washington and made acquainted with
The sad yicissitudes OF iaeu aud soldier.
through champagne, terrapin, opera
boxes and diplomatic receptions.
the CORNERSTONE