The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1879-12-06

pOlltical subjects, 10 unite In compelling ODE
of the right OF suffrage. / respectfully urge
upon Congress to supply any defects In these
laws which experience has shown and which
1t Is wi hin its power to remedy. L again In
woke the cooperation of the executive anc
legislative authorities OF tae States in THU
great purpose. / am fully convinced that
the public mind can be set at rest on this par
amount question OF popular rights, no serious
obstacle will thwart or delay the complete
pacihcation of the country, or retard the gen
erai diffusion of prosperity.
In a former message 1 invited the attention
of Congress TO the subject of the reformation
of the civil service of the Government, and
expressed the intention OF transmitting tC
Congress as early as practicable report upon
this subject by the chairman OF the civil ser
vice commission
In view of the facts that, during a consider
able period, the Government OF Great Britain
has been dealing with administrative prob
lens and abuses, in various particulars an
aiogous to those presented in this country
and that In recent years the measures adopted
were understood to have been effective and in
every respect highly satisfactory, thought IL
desirable to have fuller infOr nation upon the
subject, and accordingly requested the chair.
man of the civil service commission to make
thorough investigation for this purpose
The result has been an elaborate and compre-
hensive report.
The report sets forth the history of the par
tisan polls tenn in Great Britain, and of the
rise and fall OF the parliamentary patronage,
and of official intereren with the freedom
of elections. 1t shows that after long trials OF
various kinds of examInati those which
all, and which are carried on under the super
fnLendence of single commission. have,
with great advantage, been established as con-
ditiOns OF admission 10 almost every official
place in the subord nate administration of
that country and of British India. The com
pletiOn OF the report, owing to the extent of
the labor involved in its preparation, and the
omission of congress to make any provision
either for the compensation or the expenses of
the commission, has been postponed until the
present time. II is herewith transmitted to
Congress.
NV. ~
ernment are of no authority for US, they are
entitled to influence, to the extent to which
their intrinsic wisdom, and their adaptation
10 our institutions and social II may com
mend them to our consideration,
The views 1 have heretofore expressed con-
corning the defects and abuses In our civil ad.
ministraiion remain unch anged, except in so
far enlarged experience has deepened my
sense of the duty both or officers and of the
people themselves to CO operate for their re-
mOval. The grave evils and perils of a parti
san spoils system of app intment to Office and
of office tenure, are now generally recognized
In the resolutions OF the great parties, In the
reports Of departments, in the debates and
proceedings of Congress, in the messages of
executives, 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 oe based on common
right and Justice, and must be compatible
with the healthy existence of great parties,
which are inevitable and essential In free
State.
When the people have approved policy
at a national election, confidence on the part
of the officers they have selected, and of the
advisers who. In accordance with our political
institutions, should be consulted, in the peli-
cy which il is their duty to carry into effect,
Is Indispensable. IL is eIninently proper that
they should explain ii before 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 I'LL the subOrdi-
nate places In the civil service. Their respon-
1t Is their duty to obey the legal instructions
OF those upon whom that authority is de-
volyed, and their best public service consists
OF partisan politics. Their duties are the
same, whatever party Is In power and what
lows that their tenure OF Office should not de-
pend on the prevalence of any policy or the
supremacy of any party, but should be deter
mined by their capacity to serve the people
most usefuly, quite irrespective of partisan
interests. The same considerations that should
govern the tenure should also prevail In the
appointment, d scipline and removal of these
subordinates. The authority OF appointment
and removal is not perQuislte which may be
used to aid friend or reward q partisan. but
is trust to ne exercised in the public interest,
under all the sanctions which attend the OBJ
legation to apply the public funds only for
Every citizen has an equal right to the hon.
or and profit of entering the public service of
his country. The Only just ground OF discrim-
ity he s to make that service most useful to
the people. Except in cases where, upon just
of pensions, offices and promotions are be-
slowed rewards for past services, their be-
stowal upon any theory which disregards per-
sonal merit Is an act OF injustice to the citizen,
as well a breach of that trust subject to
which the appointing power Is held.
In the light OF these principles IL becomes Of
great inheritance to provide lust and adequate
means, especially for every department., and
large administrative office, where personal
discrimination OH the part of its head Is not
practicable for ascertaining those qualifica-
tons TO which appointments and removals
should have reference. To fan TO 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-
siIy, to discourage all worthy aspirants, by
handing over appointments and re-
movais to mere Influence AID favorit-
ism: If II 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 a wise and
for Office must be an important and perma-
nent function OF every just and wise govern
ment. 1t has long since become impossible.
in the great offices, for those having the duty
of domination and appointment, to PERSONAL
" examine into the individual qualifications
OF more than small proportion OF those seek
ing office; and, with the enlargement OF the
civil service, that proportion must continue 10
become less.
offices were so few In number that
Ii was quite easy for those making appoint
ments and promotions to personally ascertain
the merits of candidates. Party managers
and methods had not then become powerful
agencies of coercion, hostile to the free and
Just exercise OF the appointing power.
A large and responsible part OF the duty OF
restoring the civil service to the desired purity
and efficiency rests upon the president, and 1t
is my purpose to do what Is wltnin my power
Of reform as will most surely and .apidly bring
about that radical change of system essential
to make our administrative methods satfsfac-
tory to free and intelligent people. BY
proper exercise OF authority, IL Is In the power
OF the executive to do much to promote such a
Ptrt 4 On a nn6Qr-
stood that nothing adequate can be accom-
plished without co operation on the part OF
Congress, and considerable and intelligent sup
port among the people Reforms which chat
lenge the generally accepted theories oil par
ties and demand changes In the methods Of
departments, are not the work of a day. Their
refinement foundations must be laid in sound
principles, ana in an experience which demon
strates their wisdom and exposes the errors of
sires to make his official action a gain and an
honor to his country, but the people them
selves, far more than their officers in public
station, are interested in pure, economical,
and vigorous administration.
BY laws enacted In 1853 ana 1856 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 exam. nations. as
boards of examiners, were provided for and
made conditions OF admission 10 the puonc
service. These statutes are decision by Con
tainments and capacity, are essential to the
well being Of the public service. The i'm
portant questions since the enactment OF these
laws have been to the character of these
examinations, and whether official favor and
partisan influence, or common right and
merit, were to control the access to the exam
nations. In practice, these examinations
have not always been open to worthy persons
generally, who might wish TO be examined.
Official favoritism and partisan innuin ce, a. a
alone were permitted to go before the examin-
ing boards, subjecting even the examiners TO