National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-08-30

based in caprice on the part Of their insti-
gator, and were in no degree founded in
common sense or common honesty. In
this we have reason to believe that the
President has been misled-not by any
true Republican, but by one or more who are
noted more for their political idiosyncrasies
than for their fixed principles of action. We
cannot think that the President, on his own
motion, would ever have interpreted his
civil-servico rules so inconsistently with
what is right, just and equitable to all
members of the Republican party Us they
have been rendered. Under their practical
rendering, these rules say to the clerk
who has been honored by former Ad-
mnistrations, because he was Re-
publican, and who has been continued
in service because he is capable-You
must surrender some of your Legitimate
rights of citizenship. You must not hold
relations with political organization that
has been honored for eight years on ac-
count of its respectability, its patriotism of
purpose, Its fidelity to principle and its po-
litical usefulness. Unless you sever your
relations with the Republican association
of your State you are in danger of forfeit
ing the favor of the Administration and the
position you hold under it. This blow,
aimed at the dearest right of an American
citizen this demand for n REIMBURSEMENT
of the most sacred duty that attaches to
American citizenship, is new feature in
official life, and one never before, since the
foundation of the Government, introduced
into American politics by any political
party, This anomalous measure of reform
was rendered rigorous-offensively so--not
because there was any seeming necessity
for it relating to the public interest, but
because "a power behind the throne stronger
than the throne itself" had capriciously
demanded 1t to answer personal ends and
purposes. We have never believed the
President capable of reducing his views of
the rights and duties of citizenship to so
narrow compass on his own volition. We
have always thought, and we now think,
that he has yielded to nm unfortunate
prompting, and we shall continue so to be-
lievo until stronger proof to the contrary
to show that we err in judgment.
The inconsistency of the civil-service rule
adopted in its application to individuals is
too marked to insure respect. The clerk is
handicapped by the order under n menace
of dismissal, while his superior is allowed
to enter the political arena without re-
straint. He can attend cauCusses or con-
ventions, as is his pleasure. He can traverse
the land and make speeches al H6itnm. He
can spend money or receive money for politi-
cal service, and he is co mmended for his
action. lie can control appointments, shape
tickets dictate nominations and exercise q
controlling power in every department of
politics and the order of civil service lies
as dead and harmless at his feet as are the
remains of CESAR in his tomb. 1t is the
citizen of lower degree in the official scale
the clerk-who is more severely worked
and more poorly paid-but whose
interest in good government is none the
less on that account-who is selected rs the
victim of the severest rigors of this need
less, foolish and tyrannical civil-service rule
This Inconsistency is too marked and toe
absurd to command respect. We entertain
the belief that the Mephistopheles Of this
branch of civil-servce reform-the molder
of Presidential action against another class
of public servants-is devoting his valuable
time which, under his own theory, belongs
to the official harness, solely in attending
political meetings and giving direction to
the popular will in the political field,
We have regarded civil-service ordel
number one as a child of folly, of unfai
! discrimination and unjust application t.
the citizen, whether circumstance has cas-
his lot in the official scale on a higher o.
lower plane. Equality is violated ant
equal rights are abrogated by it-and moth
ing can be more distaseteful than this to tn,
American citizen, who believes that all mel
are created free and equal in the scale o
political rights. The least, however, tina
this Administration could have done in thi
} instance, if the civil-service order was to b.
instituted, was TO preserve its consistenc.
} and integrity by making it apply to al
classes in the civil service alike. II has no
been so construed and applied, fact whcl
affords just ground for plain and homes
CRITICS III.
BULL-DOzING CIVIL SERVICE.