The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1877-06-14
Civil service Reform.

This Is q subject that is bothering good many
people IN the United States and occupying much
of the attention of the Administration. We are
unable to understand the principle upon which
it is operated, as we almost dialy hear of remov-
ais from Office for no apparent cause and IN cases
in which no complaint has been made. If Civil
Service Reform means only putting good and
competent men in office, il is commendable. But
We do not think that is its simple meaning The
drift of those who are rabid on the subject seems
to be. that Offices should not be bestowed in con-
alteration of political services, and that office
holders should be prohibited from taking an &C.
tive part in politics. Taking this view of it, it
is doomed to failure, as it should be; for it is an
attempted reform against nature, and against
the teachings Of ages. The Christian religion is
founded upon the principle Of rewards and pun
ishments, and this has been the governing prin-
ciple through all time. When Thomas Jefferson
declared that "to the victors belonged the
spoils," he only uttered q truth which has been
recognized since the foundation of the world !;
and when Gen. jackson put it. into full force, he
exhibited just appreciation of the fact, that
Government or an Administration should be in
the hands of its friends.
Whenever political party comes into power,
and enters upon Civil Service Reform of the
character that recognizes neither friends nor en-
emies in appointments to Office, that Administra-
tion is going to bring to its party defeat. 1t will
take away the incentive for support, and offer
premium to opposition. Parties are held togeth-
er upon the theory that the principles they ad-
vocate are essential to the welfare of the public;
and when any party comes into power, if it be-
it,la
ordinate oficesin the hands of its adherents. And
those who have been the most active and eff
cient workers in their respective States, Coun-
ties, precincts, ETC., if honest and capable other
wise, are the persons who are entitled to recog-
milton. Otherwise, what would be the RESULT
Those who had done the work that carried the
day, would see themselves put aside, and the
honors and emoluments bestowed upon men who
had noped at home, perhaps not even going to
the polls to vote; or, still worse, upon men who
had actually opposed the successful party. How
long will dO-nothings or enemies keep party
organizedf The folly is still greater, when the
oface-holders of party are forbidden, from head
quarters, to take an active part in support of
their principles, of the party that placed them
in Office. This seems to be the style of Civil Ser
vice Reform upon which the men who now have
1t in charge are bent. 1t would use up any party
that ever existed. You never catch the Demo-
cratic party engaged in any such reform, except
in urging it upon Republicans. With all their
faults, they are emnently level-headed in reward
ing their friends, and in keeping the Offices in
Democratic hands, whenever they have the pow
or.
What would have been thought of such move
as placing Pemberton and his army in the forti-
fcations of Vicksburg, to garrison them, after
their capture; or of placing outspoken Copper
heads and stay-at-homes upon sentry duty, in
the face of the enemy; of appointing Gen.
Beauregard to the command of the Union army,
to repel Lees invasion of Pennsylvania 1t
would have speedily closed out the Union cause.
And this hgh-toned Civil Service Reform, if
carried out according to the ideas of its selfrght
eous advocates, will as speedily close out the Re-
publican party, or any otheF party that adopts it.