Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-12
common Politicians" and Party
Managers"

common l-OIltlclanS ana 'I-dFtN
Managers"
The New York Tribune has published two arti-
Giles, written by Gail Hamilton, in which she re
views in her sharpest manner. Dorman b. Eaton's
article in the February number of the Atlantic
Monthly The great civil service reformer makes
a terribly bad appearance under the lashes of his
vigorous antagonist. We copy a part of Miss
Hamilton's last article in the Tribune.
VIII Mr.. Eaton tell US what constitutes the de-
fusion in believing that right and sound Govern
ment can be carried on by the interested aid OF
,arty managers and their dependents Would
he have government carried on by people who
have no interest IN 1t, and no influence over par
ties or preference IN par ties MIR. Eaton speaks
as if "paity" were a mere cSprce-a sort of ye-
neering without strength, put on to serve mere
temporary purpose. Docs he know that party is
as deep, abiding, As poryadng As principle
that all which Is abiding, rs vital Ia party as ptncl-
pie Ii is idle TO speak OF the people as opposed
to party. The patty Is the people. The people
divide INTO parties just fast and just as far
they are free and intelligent A Government is
always in the hands of one party or the other. 1t
is never, for any length of time, run by mob.
And it always is and always will be carried on by
the interested AID of the managers OF the party IN
power. When the English Liberals are upper
most, the English Government is carried on by
the Liberal party managers, and when the Eu-
gish Conservatives are IL the majority, the con-
servaive leaders carry on the Government aud
are responsible for lis administration. What Mr.
Eaton pronounces to be a deluslon is the absolute
truth. Not only can Government be carried on
by the interested ard of party managers and their
depe ndenls. but 1t cannot be carried on without IT,
An administration can be carried OIL by mush and
gush, but it cannot be carried on. The Govern
meLt NAV he betrayed into but it never can be
trusted to the hands of the opposing party. The
sentiment aud con viction Of the people tor nulat
ing IN party and organized BY party leaders passes
before them IN the form of administ alton
for final Judgment. II is true that Mr.. Eaton
aises his head in the one sentence only TO cut It
of In the Lext, out he seems so entirely uncon-
scious Of the decaptation that 1t is necessary to
give him gentle knock.
In speaking of the cost of the Civil Service
Commission AID its rules, Mr.. Eaton says: "lt
never cost $40, 900 pei yeal-not half as much as
would be expended IN iutiigues and bibery about
the selection of single collector, not half as much
as the neglect and incompelency of any one of
many partisan or mercenary officers annually cost
the Government.
Of course Mr. Eaton means that the $4,000 eN
pended in antiques aud bribery about the selec
ton of a slng lie celllectOr waS expended by the
Government The $50, 900 spent the civll SER
vice Commission and is rules was spent by Gov
,rumeut. We are not tslking about economy for
citizens, but economy for tue Government, There
wOnld he point OF purpose Ia SAY Ing that S2O,-
Ia pay of r. form, because Knot of tneu are buy
ing and selling chances on Their owu account cut
,ide. But Mr. Eaton. general r. marx that SiO,-
900 would readily be spent III seize ing single
collector is MT OF the smallest value as evidence
Let him name FIVE collectors IN the hole county
whose selection cost the Government $4,000
apiece in lntrigucs and bribery. lie adds, 10 the
same succlEi aud conclusive style, that II Is nUt
half a. much tnesneglect and incompetency of
one of many pstti-sn OF mercensry officers aunu
ally cost the Government That Is, there are
many officers who, by reason OF being chosen on
partisan grounds rather than by cOmpe-
Iitve examination, cost the Government $40,
900 apiece every year, through their neg
iect and Incompetence THIS, also, Is an
AIRY nothing, unless Mr.. Eaton will give it a
local babltatiOn and name. OF the many part
ian OF mercenary officers whose costly incompetent
cy he ahitms. ask Mr. Eaton to "a ne IL just ten
ask tim 20 We the names of ten Federal Ulcers,
chosen on partisan grounds, whose negect and in
compe ency mot dIshonests-costi the government
$40 900 apiece year after year. | Ask him, Also,
to give The names vi the party leaders upOn whose
recommendation they were appointed To ONCE.
Unless he does tbs his statement doe, not Ilse
above the level Of Islander. His sweeping general
assertion is not of the slightest use exc, p TO hOr-
rify those who know nothing about ii. Ia any
court Of justice MIR. Eaton would ne ordered of
the wituess-stand 10 five minutes, If he mad MOTH
ing better than this TO offer. II the mere pleasure
OF seeing himself 10 prlnt cont nts him, he Is safe
since there Is refGuug gene al sta enenl, but
if be wants 10 be mau among meu, let hin give
specifications, and some thIng Ia tue mature ot
de nee son, ing that looks toward proof.
And what does Mr.. Eaton mean by "inercenary
Offices I" He is lavish OF epithets. Ills article Is
peppered ali over with hretng aud Invertebrates.
" bat does be mean by hi cling If Federal
officer works for the United States government
and receives a sasry therefor, does that consl ute
him a hirehng; Must he keep books, and Inspect
sampes sId examine Candidates for love of coun-
try alone and without wages, Ia order not to he q
mercepaly and a h.rehDgi Nheu M. DoImau
Is. Eaton ppJinted Civil Service Reform
Com ssioner, do he go on to Washington, work
without salary and board himself 1t he did not,
he MAS just as much bireng as the Secretary of
state, who receives 81. 900 year from govern
me mt for the time which WAS earning him S50, 900
year outside OF government. ID res MIR. Eaton
write his article in the Atlantic Monthly, aud do
he other authors wiite their articles in the Allan
tic Monthly from pure love of literature, declining
all pay Utless they do this, they are just as
much hirelngs as the collectors aud clerks. In
the army the hlrelings and mercenarles not the
soldiers who receive pay; all soldiers receive pay
They are the soldiers who fight for pay
aone-who fight, not for their own country
but ior any country whatever that will give them
thirteen dollars month. They have their
counterpart IN politics. not among tue federal ot
GERS who are the champions Of party, who are re
publicans or democrats by conviction, with zeal
and warmth ana love, who believe that their par
,y embodIes the principles when for the safe
~ and welfare OF the people, and who may be, at
least, presumed to recognize the responsibility
they are under TO bear their standard high. The
counterpart of the Hessans is rather to be found
IN the men no have no party convictions, no par
ty attachments, but are willing TO take office under
any party, so they get Office; who want only
the emoluments Of office, but have no creeds TO
enforce with enthusiasm and piact &c with fidelity.
mt rcenary may be a brave soldier but a sol
L. .L.1,t ha hN.u 4 :.
lighting for his hearthsone as well as for his pay.
An office holder without political opinions or pref
erences principles may be honest, but he is not
less likely to be honest because he believes
thoroughly IN the party which placed him 10
Office, desires eagerly its Advancement aud feels
responsible for It's purity aud power.
GAIL HAMILTON.