National Republican., 1878-07-24
CiyII-Serylce Reform.
To the Editor of the National Republican:

To The Editor of The National Republican:
Many who believe in civil.servico reform
and advocate 1t from pure and honest motives
as n measure of reforming tho civil service
have but little idea of tho manner in which 1t
Is abused and the result Of its work in some
branches of tho Government Departments.
The Patcnt-Oflico Bureau, for nearly fifteen
months has been undergoing this reform, and
to.day presents such an unsettled and chaotic
state (said by those Of experience) as was
never before known in the memory Of the old
est official.
do not state this ~ an argument against
civil service, for am one OF its most ardent
adhorcnts, and believe, were 1t rightly applied,
would result In much good, both In purifying
the service aud III establishing practical and
efficient force In all governmental Depart
ments. But tho manner In which 1t has been
applied In tho Patent. Office Bureau clearly
demonstrates that through subordinate hands
it has been sadly perverted.
Ny business relations bring me almost daily
to the Patont Office, and from personal obser-
walton ! regard myself safe In saying that at
no time during the past twenty years, under
tho various Administrations and different
heads of that bureau, has 1t presented so un-
settled state, or has there ever before been
so much general complaint and dissatisfaction
rs at the present time. Among the officials, |
am informed that there Is scarcely one who
seems to feel his tenure of office Is In any do
gre6 secure, or knows how long he may be re-
tained, or how shortly dismissed, while among
all the employees there ise feeling Of discon-
tent aud uneasness especSDl Dly about the lst and
18th of each month, as all are ina state Of fear
lest their names may be placed upon the list of
those who shall bs dropped. Formerly In this
bureau officials regarded their positions secure,
aud from long experience were enabled to rem
der valuable service; but now, under the policy
of the policy Of the Commissioner, aud In the
name Of reform, Official heads roll into the
basket on the lst and 18th of each month.
The Patent-OliCo is II department which all
parties. irrespective of politics, have an equal
interest, and to which they send their invcn-
tons, expecting them to be examined by tried
and efficient men, who, by long experience,
have become experts in their profession; aud il
any branch Of a department should be free
from continual change no one will question but
that this Department should be exempt. A
glance ut the appointments and discharges
made ia the Patent-O Office during the last few
months will convince tho most inCredulOus
reader that In no branch of tho Government
service have changes been SO numerous and fro
qucnt rs here.
The Patent Office force consists of about 800
employees, and during the months of Marcl
| those engaged in the work of restoring models
and about the same number appointed. On til,
! lst of May and on the 3lst of the same month
some thirty were discharged. Among the mum
Der was one who received his appointment tow
ard the close of the month, being on duty but
one week.
On the 18th and Both Of June large mum
Der were discharged, and during the mOntl
many new appointments wero made.
In the present month ofJuly, so far, sixt!
have been discharged aud more than that mum
Der appointed. Almost every day for month
past us one walked along tho corridors IN
would meet new aud strange faces carrying
files, drawings, &c, or engaged in other duties
The same may be said of the examining
corps aud clerks who assist them aud thes
changes being so frequent become nOticeabl,
while one hardly becomes acquainted wit
new faces ere they have disappeared an
others in their turn have taken their places
A list of the appointments and discharge
made during the past year in this bureau wou
astOnish the public aud, without doubt, tn
Commissioner himself, at the extent Of hi
missionary work, even II he did not feel lik
positively disOwning the record he has made.
Now, it is evident that all this has not bee
done in the interest Of reform, and il has yer
much the look rs II Jealousy and spite ha
done its work under the guise of reform, Will
a few perhaps have been removed out of pOliti
cal aud other considerations Out of the Ion
list OF removals, | have not learned of bu
three against whom charges of aIy kind wer
preferred.
On last Saturday another large reduction Q
the Patent-OiliGe force took place, which wa
the accumulated result of the managem ent q
the Bureau, caused by the Commissioners con