New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-10

service from the sway of ncOmpetency and en-
arged the class who should share in its honors and
responsibility.
In this country it would be step in the opposite
direction. II would be trammeling the feet of an
intelligent people with the restrictions which igno-
rance alone made necessary. 1t would be establish
ing class among a people, the very essence Of
whose life is that there shall be no class and it
would be assuming in the face of facts that Gov
eminent of the people, by the people, and for the
people, has more elevating influence upon the
people than monarchy OF despotism.
The case for intelligence is stronger even than
have stated it. Not only in The atlantic Monthly
but in his official Report as Civil Service Reform
Commissioner, Mr. Eaton makes no count against
the intelligence and capacity of the Civil Service
In his whole array of Evils to be Remedied inca
pacty does nOtOnce appear. His soul is dIsquieted
because of fearful powers of expansion and repro
ductiOn, of aggressive and INSCRIPTIONS spirit of
mercenary craftsmanship" Letnot the readers heart
be troubled. Fearful" seems to he a convenient
and favOrite word of the Reformers, but reduced
to facts and figures the most timorOus mortals need
not start and shrink before it. This have shown
before and shall presently show again. 1t is
enough for my present purpose to emphasize the
fact that it is partisanship and bad politics, not
stupidity that Mr.. Eaton brings against our Civil
past his own views and is answering objections
brought by others against his Reform that he al
ludes to want of capacity as an evil to be sup
pressed. 1t is in reply to an objection that il is
want of integrity and not want of capacity from
which our Civil Service suffers, that he gives
faint page out of the hundred or so composing his
Report to prove that such is not the case but even
in this single page, and in the very heart of this at
tempt to prove incompetence, he admits, he AYERS
that large majority of the persons in the clerical
service we're persons of intelligence and capacity"
In the same manner the Report of Mr.. Curts's
commission makes no charge of lack of intelligence
against the Civil Service, but is narrowed up by
the overweening political influence which it weighs.
The Report declares directly that 1t is pleasant
to express our conviction not only that there are
many men of the highest character and ability in
the service of the Government, but that the large
majority of the persons so employed cannot justly
be suspected of improper conduct"
This testimony is absolutely conclusive, so far as
the claims of the Reformers are concerned. In the
English Civil Service a large majority were def
nitey declared, by authority aud responsibility. TO
be incredibly incompetent. Eighty per cent of the
clerks were testified to be not worth their salt.
In our Civil Service large majority are
definitely declared by the accusing party to
be intelligent and capable Thus is a great gulf
nXed between the TWO services, ana what might be
imperative in the one, may well be impertinent for
the other. 1t is idle to talk of reforming" body,
a large majority of whose members are vrtuOus.
There is no party, assembly, nor club, nor any
form whatever Of organized society on tins planet
of which you can say more than that large ma
Jority are unexeeptionable. Not even the lawyers,
of whom Mr.. Eaton is one, not even
the editors of whom Mr.. Curtis is another,
can say more in their most boastful mo-
ments-if men so devoured with modesty and
mistrust can fairly be said to have boastful mo-
ments-than that large majority of them are in
corruptible updefled and Of the highest character
and ability But Mr.. Eaton has seized the bosom
of reform, and sweep he will whether there is any
thing to sweep out or not England has had
Civil Service Reform, and America shall have
Civil Service Reform, no matter though the Amer
lean Civil Service was established in the beginning
OH as high basis as England has climbed after de-
cades Of effort. Mr.. Eatons determination to rival
England in the matter of reform remind us OF the
little girl who crowned the climax of her mothers
charms over those of the other little girls mother
my mother can take her hair off nights, and your
mother can'tp GAIL HAMILTON.