Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-01

lection of the right of suffrage. respectfully
urge upon Congress to supply any defects in
these laws which experience has shown, and
which 1t is within its power to remedy. / again
invoke the cooperation Of the Executive and
Legislative authorities of the states in this great
purpose. am fully convinced that II the pub
lie mind can be set at rest on this paramount
question OF popular rights, no serious object
vii thwart or delay the complete pacificatlOn OF
the country, or retard the general diffusion Of
REFORMING THE CIVIL SERVICE.
In former message invited the attention of
Congress to the subject Of the reformation of the
civil service of the government. and expressed
thesintention of transmitting to Congress, as
early as practicable. a report upon this subject
sion. In view of the facts that during consd-
cradle period the government of Great Britain
has been dealing with administrative problems
to those presented in this country, and that
in recent years, the measures adopted We're
understood to have been effective and in every
respect highly satisfactory, l thought it de-
sil able to have fuller Information upon the
subject, and accordingly requested the Chair
man of the Civil Service Commission to make
The result has been an elaborate and compre-
henSive report. The report sets forth the
history Of the partisan, spoils system in
of the Parliamentary patronage and of Official
interference with the freedom Of elections 1t
shows that, after long trials of various kinds Of
open on equal terms to all, and which are car
ried on under the superintendent of a single
commission, have with great advantage been
established as 3, CO. conditions of admission to
administration Of that country and of British
India. The completion OF the report, owing to
the extent of the labor involved in its prepara-
tion, and the omission of Congress to make any
provision either for the compensation or the
expenses Of the commission, has been postponed
until tnepresent time; It is herewith transmit
rafnr
another government are Of no authority for u.s.
they are entitled to influence to the extent to
which their intrinsic wisdom aud their adapta-
tion to our institutions and social life may COM
mend them to our consideration.
The views have heretofore expressed con-
cerning the defects and abuses in our civil ad-
miniStratlOn remain unchanged except in so far
as an enlarged experience has opened my sense
OF the duty, both Of officers and of the people
themselves, to cooperate for their removal
The grave evils and peris OF a partisan
office tenure are now generally recognized. In
the resolutions OF the great parties in the re-
ports OF departments, in the debates and pro-
ceedings OF Congress, in the messages of execu-
tiveS, the gravity Of these evils have 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 COM
patible with the healthy existence of
great parties which are inevitable and
have approved policy at national cleo
ton, confidence on the part of the officers
they have selected and of the advisers, who, in
be consulted in the policy which it is their duty
to carry into eject is Indispensable. 1t is emf
nently proper that they should explain it before
the people as well as Illustrate its spirit in the
performance Of their official duties
1t hardly need be pointed out that very differ
ent considerations apply to the greater number
of those who fill the subordinate places in the
civil service. 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 devolved. and their best
functions irrespective of partisan politics. Their
duties are the same whatever party is in power,
and whatever policy prevails AS a conse-
quence, it follows that their tenure OF Office
should not depend upon the prevalence of any
policy, or the supremacy of any party, but
Should be determined by their capacity to serve
the people most usefT1ly, quite irrespective Of
that should govern the tenure should also pre-
vail in the appointment, discipline, and removal
OF these subordinates The authority of ap-
pointment and removals. is not a perquisite which
may be used to aid friend or reward partf-
sian, but in trust to be exercised in the public
Interest under all the sanctions which attend
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
public service of his country. The only just
ground Of discrimination is the measure of char
acter 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, offices and pro-
motions are bestowed as rewards for past ser
vices, their bestowal upon any theory which
disregards personal merit Is an act Of injustice
to the citizen, as well as breach of that trust
| subject TO which the appointing power is held.
PROPER METHODS OF EXAMINATION.
In the light of these principles, it becomes of
| great Importance to provide just and adequate
MEANS especially for every department and
| large administrative Office where personal dis
elimination on the part OF its head Is not practi-
| cable, for aScertainfn9 those qualifications to
! which appointments and removals should hare
| reference. To fail to provide such means is not
| only to deny the opportunity of aScertaning the
| facts upon which the most righteous claim to
Office depends, but of necessity to discourage all
| worthy aspirants by handing over appointments
| and removals to mere influence and favorltisln.
| If it is the right of the wOrthiest claimant to
| gain the appointment, and the interest of the
people to beStOW 1t upon him, it would seem
clear that wise and just method Of ascertain
ing personal fitness for Office must needs be an
| important and permanent function 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 per
sonally examine into the Individual qualif1ca-
tiOns of more than small proportion OF those
seeking Office, and with the enlargement of civil
service that proportion must continue to become
less. In the earlier years OF the government the
subordinate Offices were so few in number that
it was easy for those making appointments and
promotions to personally ascertain the merits Of
the candidates. Party managers and methods
DdQ not t0en become powerful agencies OF c0er-
cion hostile to the free and just exercise Of the
appointing power.
A large and responsible part OF the duty of re-
storing the civil service to the desired purity
and efficiency rests with the President and it
has been my purpose to do what is within my
power to advance such prudent and gradual
measures Of reform as will most surely and rap
idly bring about that radical change of system
essential to make our admin lstration methods
satisfactory to free and Intelligent people By
proper exercise OF authority 1t Is in the power
OF the Executive to do much to promote such
reform. But it cannot be too cleary understood
that nothing adequate can be accomplished
without cooperation on the part of Congress,
and considerate and intelligent support among
the people. Reforms which challenge the gen
orally accepted theories of parties and demand
changes in the methods of departments are not
the work OF day. Their permanent founda-
tiOnS must be laid in sound principles and in an
experience which demonstrates their wisdom
and exposes the errors OF their adverSarieS.
Every worthy officer desires to make his Official
action gain and an honor to his country, but
the people themselves far more than their Off
GERS in public station, are interested in a pure
economical, and vigorous administration.
By laws enacted In 1858 and 1855, and now in
substance Incorporated in the Revised Statutes,
the practice OF arbitrary appointments to the
several subordinate grades In the great depart
ments was condemned and examinations as to
capacity, to be conducted by departmental
boards of examiners, were provided for and
made conditions Of admission to the public ser
OF or soin Tvrvn<