Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-03-08
The Presidents View. on the Civil Service,

The Presidents Views on the Civil Service.
The President, in a recent interview
with an officer of one Of our largest
Custom-Houses, gave expression to
some views upon the subject of reform
in the civil service which will interest
the public. The officer stated that he
heartily appreciated the Presidents $
civil-service order, so-called, of June
last, but stated that, in his Judgment,
it did not go far enough to reach all the
evils existing. While he saw no obiec-
tions, after party conventions had set
tied upon candidates and made up the
issues of the campaign, to Federal Off
GERS participating in campaign work,
expressing their political views, and en-
deavoring TO influence their fellow-citi-
zens in all legitimate ways, provided
they did not neglect the business of the
Government, this was very different
matter from their working together as
a body, at the command of their SUI
perior officer, and being made part
of political machine for party cleo
tioneering. The latter proceeding is a
use of Federal power in elections of
which the people had always COM
planned, and with good right; and was
such an interference with the independ-
ence of the officers as citizens that its
influence on them was very bad, and in
violation of their manly self-respect.
The President said that this was all
wrong, and an abuse of the Federal
power of which he did not approve;
that in his opinion a superior officer
had no more right to dictate to a sub
ordinate in the performance of political
duties or work than the head of mer-
camille establishment had to dictate to
his employees.
The officer than said that there was
another evil in the present system of
civil service even greater than that
against which his order was directed,
namely, the uncertainty of the tenure
of the subordinate officers. So long as
the retention of an officer in the service
depended upon the nomination and
election to Office of his personal friend
and political patron, any order to pre-
vent the improper political conduct OF
a Federal officer would be wholly in
vain, for his very bread and butter de-
pended upon his insuring the success OF
the man upon whom he depended to
keep him in place. While removals
continued to be made for political
reasons, the great evils in the civil serv-
ice could not be corrected.
The President stated that it was his
wish and purpose that no removals OF
subordinate officers should be made for
political reasons. He thought that an
employe in the Custom-House should
| If1 tnH inst nlnp tYsnn fnH IN
a well-regulated bank, insurance COM
pany, or business firm, and be retaine d
as long as he is honest and efficient, and
performs his duties satisfactorily, or
until the end of his term, if appointed
for definite term.
The officer said that he had no further
recommendation to make on this sub
ject, these being the views of the Presi.
dent, except that he would make them
known and cause instructions to be
given to Federal officers by which they
should be guided.
The President inquiredlf his views in
these particulars were not already
known. The officer stated that he was
afraid that they were not; that we all
knew the platform of the Republican
party upon which he was elected
and his assuring letter of acceptance
and the declarations of his message.
But these were general expressions, and
except the order of June last, no au.
thoritative instructions had been issued
upon the subject either by himself OIL
the head of the Treasury Department.
The President inquired whether the
officers of customs had not been gov
erned in their action under his admin
istration so far by those principles, and
whether any removals of subordinates
had been made for political reasons
since he came into office. The officer
replied that such removals had been
made, he believed, for political reasons
and contrary to the principles the Pres
ident had enunciated, and that subor-
dinate officers even to the present mo.
ment had a dread that they might be
removed without cause, and while they
were still in the satisfactory perform
ance of their duties, merely to make
room for others for whom influential
politicians desired to secure places.
The President said this was all wrong,
and such, state of things ought
not to continue. The officer said that
| ne was nOI Inere 10 complain Oh OF CTlU'
icise any system of the Administration
in the past, but to make suggestions fol
the future improvement of the civil
service, which were prompted by along
experience in, and intimate acquaint-
ance with, the interior workings of a
large institution of the Government, and
to ascertain definitely the views and
wishes of the President to guide him in
the future administration of his own of
flee, and he asked the President for
permission to make these views and in
structions of the President known to
his subordinates and others, being con-
fident that, if they were known and un-
derstood by subordinates and officers,
the tone and efficiency of the service
would be vastly improved, and that the
feeling of independence and security
during good conduct would result in
great advantages to the Government.
The President said that he desired nc
concealment of his aims and intentions
in this matter, but, on the contrary, de-
sired that they should be known and
respected by all who were responsible to
him. - Washington Cor. Boston Adver-
iSer.