The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-12-13


a,ro the yictors belong the spoils, was
a sentiment expressed with much empha,
sis in the United States Senate nearly half
. century ago BY William L. Marcy, Of
New York. Mr.. Marcy was Democrat,
and the sentiment was,atsacked BY Daniel
Webster, but Mr.. Webster himself acted
on the principle in accepting seats IN the
cabinets Of Presidents Harrison and Fill
more, II was he principle acted upon
also BY Harrison, Taylor and Lincoln; and
tha faiIare to accept and carry trout by
John O ADKINS, NIilhrd Fillmore aud
Andrew johnson, Illustrated tho fallaey Of
attempting to conduct an administration
through the agency Of political enemies
.sTo the siotors belong the spoils is a
Democratic doctrine, but Wings, Demo-
Gratis and Republicans alike have embraced
and put il in practice ever since the early
days Of the government The present
Congress have acted 90 tho principle in
replacing Republican employees with Dem
ocrats, The Democratic majority urged
that as they we're responsible for all the
acts and proceedings Of the respective bod
les, their work could be better done through
political friends than political enemies.
The doctrine is little at variance with
that Of civil sarvice reform, as advocated
BY Mr. Hayes. Although Mr. Hayes,
himself, has acted upon it, he now be-
lieves ms having faithful officers chosen,
Of his own political faith, Of course, BY
competitive examination, who are 10 serve
during good behavior, which means a life
tenure. After having been forced, by the
bargain by which his own Office was stolen
for him, to reward the thieves BY appoint
ment to place, he would now get rid of
them BY competitive examinations and after
substituting efficient and reliable Republi-
cans in their stead, seek by bis civil ser
vice reform doctrines, to pension them
upon the government for life. Should his
theories be put into practice, most Of the
subordinate officers Of the next admins
tration, ia the event Of its being Demo
cratic, would be Of opposite political faith.
Under such circumstances the administra-
ton would be failure, and the Demo-
cratic party would be held responsible for
it at the polls. Officers belong TO the party
in power, and should be given to the eapa-
Bile and reliable members thereof Is he
capable, is be efficient, is he honest, should
be the first test, and the next should be
his devotion to the party and its principles.
Civil service reform, so far as it aims to
fiji all appointivc positions with capable,
honest and respectable persons, should
meet with hearty endorsement from all
parties; but when it seeks to make Office
life tenure, as Mr.. Hayes advocates, it be-
comes a monarchical doctrine, and should
not be considered by those believing in
republican government and republican in
situations Whilst Republicans are in
power, qualified Republicans Of integrity
should have all the honors and emoluments
Of Office. When the Democrats assume
control, every Republican should be made
to yaca,e and his place be filed with an
honest and efficient Democrat. A Repub.
lican administration cannot be successfully
conducted on Republican ideas through
Democratic agency neither can Democrats
successfully administer the affairs Of gov
ernment upon Democratic doctrines through
the agency Of Republicans. Office and its
emoluments belong to the successful party
ITO the victors belong the spoils.