Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-12-01
and social life may commend them to
Onr consideration.

/ ence has deepened my sense oil the duty
both of officers and OF the people them
selves TO cooperate for their removal.
The grave evils and perils OF a partisan
spoils system OF appointment TO office
and of office tenure, are now generally
recognized. In the resolutions OF the
great parties, in the reports OF depart
ments, in the debates and proceedings
of Congress, in the messages OF EXecu-
! cutives, the gravity OF these evils has
been pointed out and the need OF their
reform has been admitted.
To command the necessary support,
every measure of reform must be based
on common right and justice, and must
be compatible with the healthy exist
ence of great parties, which are inevit-
| able and essential in a free State.
When the people have approved a
policy at National election, confidence
on the part OF the officers they have
selected, and of the advisers who, in
accordance with our political instltu-
tions, should be consulted, in the policy
which it is their duty to carry into
effect, is indispensable. Ii is eminently
proper that thev should explain it be-
fore the people, as well as illustrate its
spirit in the performance OF their official
duties.
Very different considerations apply
TO the greater number of those who fill
the subordinate places in the civil ser
vice. Their responsibility Is To their
superiors in official position. 1t is their
duty to obey the legal instructions Of
those upon whom that authority is de-
volved, and their best public service
consists in the discharge of their func-
tiOns irrespective OF partisan politics.
Their duties are the same, whatever
party is in power and whatever policy
prevails. As consequence, it follows
that their tenure of office should not
depend on the prevalence of any policy
or the supremacy of any party, but
should be determined by their capacity
to serve the people most usetully, quite
irrespective of partisan interests. The
same considerations that should govern
the tenure, should also prevail III the
appointment, discipline and removal OF
these snbOrdinatcs The authority OF
appointment and removal is not per-
0uisite, which may be used to aid
friend or reward a partisan, but is a
trust to be exercised in the public in.
terest, under all the sanctions which at
tend the obligation to apply the public
funds only for public purposes.
Every citizen has an equal right to the
honor and profit OF entering the pub
lie service of his country. The only
Just ground OF discrimination is the
measure OF character and capacity he
has to make that service most useful to
the people. Except in cases where,
upon Just and recognized principles, as
upon the theory of pensions, officers
and promotions are bestowed as rewards
for past services, their bestOwal upon
any theory which disregards personal
merit, is an act of injustice TO the citi-
zen, as well Us a breach OF that trust
subject 10 which the appointing power
is held.
In the light of these principles it be-
comes of great Importance 10 provide
lust and adequate means. especially for
every department and large admins
trative office, where personal dlscrlml-
nation on the part OF its head IS not
practicable for aScertaining those quail
tications to which appointments and re-
movals should have reference. To fail
10 provide such means is not only to
deny the opportunity OF ascertaining
the facts upon which the most righteous
claim to office depends, but, OF neces-
sity, to discourage all worthy asplrants
by handing over appointments and re-
mOyalS to mere influence and favor
"a - -. tl,n rfpht II tho
wOrthieSt claimant to gain the appoint
ment, and the interest of the people to
bestow it upon him, it would seem clear
that wise and Just method of aScer-
tanning personal fitness for office must
be an important and permanent tunc-
ton of every Just and wise government.
1t has long since become impossible, in
the great offices, for those having the
duty of nomination and appointment,
To personally examine into the lndl-
vdual qualifications OF more than a
small proportion of those seeking office;
and, with the enlargement of the civil
service, that proportion must continue
10 become less.
In the earlier years OF the govern
ment, the subordinate offices were so few
in number that il was quite easy Tor
those making appointments and promo"
tions to personally ascertain the'merlts
of candidates. Party managers and
methods had not then become power
iul agencies OF coercion, hostile to the
free and just exercise OF the appointing
power.
\ large and responsible part of the
1uty of restoring the civil service to the
desired purity and efficiency rests upon
the President. and it is my purpose 10
do what is within my power to advance
such prudent and gradual measures Of
reform rs will most surely and rapidly
bring about that radical change of sys-
tenn essential To make our administrative
methods satisfactory to free and intel
ligrnt people. BY proper exercise OF
authority, it is i'm the power of the Exec
utive to do much 10 promote such re-
iOlm. But il cannot be too clearly un-
derStoOd that nothing adequate can be
accomplished without cooperation on
the part of Congress and cOnsiderate
and intelligent support among the peo-
ple. Beiorms which challenge the gem
erally accepted theories of parties, and
demand changes in the methods of de-
partments, are not the work of day.
Their permanent foundations must be
laid in sound principles, and in an ex-
perienCe which demonstrates their Wis
dom and exposes the errors of their adj
versaIieS. Every worthy officer desires
TO make his official action gain and an
honor to his country, but the people
themselves, far more than their officers
in public station, are interested in a
pure, economical and vigorous admins
tratiOn.
BY laws enacted in 1853 and 1855, and
now in substance incorporated in the
Revised Statutes, the practice of arbitra-
~ appointments TO the several subordi-
nate grades in the great departments
was condemned, and examinations, as
10 capacity, to be conducted by depart
mental boards Oi examiners, were pro-
vided for and made conditions of admis-
sion 10 the public service. These statutes
are a decision by Congress that eNamina-
tons OF some sort, rs 10 attainments
and capacity, are essential To the we'll
being of the public service. The I'M
portaut questions since.the enactment
of these laws have been as 10 the charaC-
tor pf thpSp examinations and whether