New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-17
CIVIL SERVICE SCHOOLS.
LETTER FROM PROFESSOR WEIR.

LETTER FROM PROFESSOR WEIR.
THE NEED OF ACADEMIES TO TRAIN YOUNG MIN
FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE AS WEST POINT FITS
THEM FOR THE ARMY.
To the EdffOr or The Tribune.
SIR: Contemplating detaltbe admirable system
of discipline furnished and enforced at the United
States Military Academy. and the thOroughness
with which its ends accomplished, the question
arises: Why is it not possible for the Government
TO establish similar schools of training with appro-
pirate systems of instructions for the Civil Service
1t is not merely the knowledge of military science
acquired at West Point, which distinguishes the
graduates of that institution in addition, the per-
sonal character is there formed on very strict
basis of integrity and honor / venture to affirm
that no other institution, college in the land, is
equally free from the receptions that engender the
habit of falsehoOd. Whatever defects of character
or morals may be charged against the graduates OF
the Military Academy, from lying and stealing they
have from the first been VIGOROUSLY and conspcu-
Ously exempt. This is due, in part, to the fact
that they are trained in a profession Of educated
gentlemen and conduct becoming officer and
gentleman" is expected as first condition OF sus-
tanning that esprit de corps which is more marked
in the military than in any other professOn-unless
we except that of the church.
Now why cannot we establish Civil Service
may enter upon a course of study specially adapted
to the needs of the several departments of the Civil
Servicei Would not this be means of solving
that difficult problem Of Civil Service reform, the
condition of which must remain national disgrace
so long as this service open 10 mere scrainbleTs
for spoils without respect to qualification Such
schools need have greater degree of exclusveness
than the Military Academy has. They should be
under competition and with proper limitations,
TO every citizens son who manifests the requisite
ability, and passes the requisite examinations. /
think however, to multiply these academies would
tend TO lessen their Importance and standing Every
graduate of the Military Academy feels just pride
in the fact that the institution from which he
is distinguished and honorable; and the ordeal
through which he has passed is one through which
all his associates must pass. There are no minor
Ioop-holes through which the shirk may crawl to
an equal place or distinction.
One or two such institutiOns--say one at the
East. and one at the West-fOunded upon a scale
commensurate with the ends in view; with their
several departments presided by the best talent
the country affords with all the appliances for
thorough training in finance, in law, In morals, in
government and in all the minor business pertain
ing to the conduct of the State, would doubtless
soon establish within their precincts, and among
their graduates prestige or morale, which would
emulate the integrity Of the graduates OF the Mill
tary Academy, and reflect honor upon service that
has not merely fallen into discredt, but which has
become the subject of national shame. Then, too,
a service well organized disciplined, efficient.
would necessarily have it's grades ranks. The
Aedglng lieutenant on graduation, does not expect
that by the end of the year. he will wear the epau
let's of a brigadier-genera He enters one of the
five distinct corps Of the army, and sees before him
n long graded list, reaching from the novice to the
veteran. BY the time each successive grade Is at
famed his experience in addition to ls early In
struction enables him to fulfil his duties with pre-
cison and intelligence Are not the caamities that
are brought about through corrupt legislation,
| through official fraud, and through the general
rottenness of our civil system, in many respects as
momentOus as those engendered by war; Aud yet
for this latter emergency VIC prepare ourselves with
wise forethought while for the former evils we
make no provision, but simply drift with the turbd
| current of events.
| There was formerly in Congress a cry raised by q
certain class of politicians against West Point as
! hot he'd of arstOcracy." The idea is still nurSed
by this class of eminent Lawmakers, and its echoes
NAV still be heard within the halls of our National
| Legislature. Now what was meant by this phrase 7
j Simply this: That West Point so trained equipped
and transformed its students as TO render them
bonorable members Of an honorable profession, and
this conspicuous transformation stood in such
marked contrast with the laundering arrogance Of
the ignorant and the undisciplined that they held
| that IL should not be tolerated in land where all
men are born free and equal. Our common legis-
ator with his feet elevated upon his desk and his
hat tipped defantly forward on his scheming brow,
may we'll regard with disfayOr the aristocracy Of
manners and Of education for it is the one arstoc
rscy that deGos all attack, and is unassailable
He may level West Point yet he cannot reach the
object Of his ardent hatred
Now it is just this spirit in various forms of mani
festation which stands in the way of erecting
yirtuous and educated Civil Service system Why
| it may be asked, shOuld an educated man and
gentleman have the preference OF place oyerthe
| bonest though ignorant sons of toll Z There's the
rub Honesty cannot supply the deficiencies of ig-
norance; and yet We as a people, pretend that 1t
may. Select your candidates. says the politician.
not from those experienced In legislation possess
ing some knowledge Of government. educated in
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