The Portland daily press., 1878-04-15
The Question of the Hour.

A considerable discussion is made in some
very respectable quarters about the method
of appointment of officials in the civil serv-
ice of the nation. There are many things to
be said on both sides of this question. 1t is
true that safeguards should be established
against selfish use of the power of appoint
ment by President or Congressman, and
quite possibly some abuses have existed, as
must necessarily arise in an extensive and
widely distributed business. One point how
ever should be clearly stated lest posterity
may get false impression from the sweeping
statements that are made by some people
who discuss this question. The truth is, as
may be readily ascertained by any one who
cares to take the trouble to observe or en-
quire, that our civil service for the past ten
years has been notably free from corruption,
ineficiency or INSTRUMENTATION of any kind.
The record of the service during President
Grants administration shows less percent
age of loss in the public revenues from official
misbehavior than occurred under any admin
istration since the time of Jefferson. And
this, too, at time when the public morals
had just been debiitated by the effects of
great war and its accompanying demoraliza-
ton. The government service is notably
superior to that of private persons and COR
porations. Banks, railroads, insurance COM
panies, cities, churches and individuals have
suffered from the weakness and wickedness
of employees to much greater proportionate
extent than has the government. We have
frequently published statistics demonstrating
this fact and will not repeat them now. We
only wish to protest in the name of Justice
against certain sweeping and careless state
ments, now much in vogue, that our civil
service is notably bad.
A care should be taken by we'll disposed.
people who feel an interest in this question,
which is not one of very grave consequence
inasmuch as we shall undoubtedly have a
a very good service in either event, not to
obtrude it to such an extent as to endanger
greater interests. 1t is not the "Question of
the Hour" as it Is sometimes called. The
t'Question of the Hour" is a far more i'm
portant matter. A deliberate and formid-
able attack is being made on our national
honor and our business security. All the
forces of ignorance, prejudice against the
rich, dissatisfaction with our social organ:za-
ton, demagoguery and financial quackery
are being organized and consolidated to de-
bauch our currency, sully our national honor
and bring wreck and misfortune to legitimate
and honest industry and enterprise. The
danger is imminent. Honest and intelligent
people must stand together against it or the
evil will prevail. For the coming two
or three years the struggle will be kept up.
Is it then time to draw public attention off
from the main issue to a consideration of a
collateral matter of administration Is it
time to attack and weaken the influence of
men who are acting with US on the great
question? While we wrangle and break each
others heads the common enemy wakes
strong. While we dispute as to who shall
have the naming of tide walters and post
masters the communists seek to capture the
government.
Let US, then, in the name of honor aud
patriotism concentrate all our energies to
meet the great danger. Let US uphold each
others hands and strengthen each others
influence. Let us not divert to minor ques-
tions of government that attention which
should be held steadily to the great question
of national honesty and good faith. Let
press and pulpit unite in preaching the gos-
pei of honest money and social order. When
we have passed the crisis, when peace and
security are established, we may discuss the
problems of administration and call each
other names If we disagree, without jeopardy
to great and vital interests.