The Portland daily press., 1878-03-01
Precept and Example.

In his inaugural address President Hayes
gave his Interpretation of the much-debated
reform of the civil service, and announced
that an "officer should be secure in his ten
ure as long as his personal character re-
mained untarnished and the performance Of
his duties satisfactory" He further an
nounced that the civil service must be di-
vorced from politics, and that no partisan
service would be expected from public Off
GERS. Many appointments have been made
since then which do not meet these condi-
tions. The latest and perhaps the most
striking instance of the disregard of his pro-
fessions by the President is in the failure to
re-appoint Collector Simmons of Boston.
Mr.. Simmons was, it is acknowledged by
everybody, one Of the most efficient Collect.
ors Boston has ever had, and his administra-
ton has been eminently satisfactory to the
merchants of the city-so satisfactory indeed
that the business men who were strongest in
opposition to the original appointment were
foremost in recommendation of the reap
pontment. The affairs of the Boston Gus
tom House have been conducted during his
term with rare ability and fidelity. He was
prompt in his submission to the executive
order requiring civil servants to abstain from
interference in politics, and has rendered
loyal obedience to it. What is the result?
The President refuses to reappoint him solely
because of political reasons, and another man
is put in his place solely because of political
reasons.
1t is not urged by anyone that Mr.. Sim-
mons was inefficient or derelict in the dis
charge of his duties, or that he interfered in
politics. The most that can be said against
him is not that he opposed civil service re-
form by word or deed, but that sin his heart
he did not believe in it." That is, like the
Datchman's boy he is slapped for "thinking
damn. How the President became pos
sessed of this clairvoyant power is not appar-
ent. Other appointments have gone to show
want of even the faculty SO necessary to a
ruler, the faculty of judging men. Further
more Mr.. Simmons is succeeded by poll
tician, man who was urged for the place
because of his influence in Massachusetts,
politics. Is was said that "however capable
Mr.. Simmons might be in managing ward
caucus, he was not capable of manipulating
the politics of the State, thing which Mr..
Beard has proved himself capable of on many
occasions" That is, Mr.. Beard was ap-
pointed as a politician at the dictation of the
Massachusetts Senators, in contradiction to
the declarations of the President that
the civil service should be divorced
from politics and that Congressman should
not dictate appointments.
That Mr.. Beard will make a good collector
there is no doubt. He is in every way fitted
for the position. Under the old system there
could be no objection to his appointment.
But it is not in accordance with the new
system of civil service reform. 1t is plain
violation of both the spirit and the letter of
that system. Not only is faithful and effici-
ent officer discharged, but the claims for pro-
motion of the officer next in rank are disre-
garded, and man is given the appointment
as reward for his political services and for
the personal fidelity of the Massachusetts
Senators.