American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-09-20
Two Pictures of Civil Service Reform.
1t would be waste of words to crit

IL would De waste OF words to crit
icise the hypocrisy, falsehood and
treachery of the Fraudulent Admins
tration In regard to everything con-
hected with reform in the civil service.
Two years ago, when the loudest pro-
fessions were made of an intention to
to correct the scandalous abuses of
Grantism and to make merit only the
standard of appointment and of pro-
motion, it was found that Hayes and
his Cabinet at that very time were be-
slowing offices and patronage on the
worst class of forgers. perjurers and
thieves, male and female, who had aid
ed in the villainly by which they got
possession of power.
Grant offended decency and out
ragged public opinion by many of his
appointments, and by the manner in
which he upheld Ring chiefs that no.
toriously plundered the Treasury. But
he did not profess to be reformer,
and he INDUCED in no cant. He treat
ed the public patronage as if it were
his personal property, and admitted no
accountability for his acts. Hayes
started out deploring the ways of his
predecessor, and promising to open a
new book. At the same time he was
conniving with Sherman to reward the
scoundrels who had stolen the votes
of three States and absolutely forged
the Electoral return of Louisiana,
which was accepted by the Commits
sion, and nov constitutes part of its in
famous history.
Never before were public trusts SO
openly prostituted, or were criminals
who ought to be serving terms in the
penitentiary SO audaciously recognized
and billeted on the Treasury as now.
The frauds were perpetrated with the
promise that those who engaged in
them should not only be protected
against harm, but should be paid by
valuable offices. And the pledges have
all been redeemed from necessity, be-
cause it was in the power of the con-
spirators of high and low degree to
have added to the exposures that have
already been made.
Conspicuous among the members of
the Administration as the noisy cham
pions of reform were Mr.. Evarts and
Mr.. Schurz. While in the Senate the
latter had vehemently condemned the
practices under Grant, and had de-
bounced the interference of officehold-
ers in elections, and in the manage
ment of political campaigns. The for
mer had expressed similar views in
different public speeches. They pro-
posed at the outset to prepare set of
civil service rules which were to illus
trate the reforms intended for adoption
But they never got further than this
promise.
In June, 1877. while Messrs. Evarts
and Schurz were said to be blocking
out their plan, Hayes, under their adj
vice, issued his well-known civil-serv;ce
oh
to compare it with the arrangements of
the Ohio campaign, as formally an
nounced by the Republican State Com
mittee. Here they are, side by side.
for public edifcation:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, II COLUMBUS. Ohio, |
1.-THE Republican state
No officer should belCentral Committee to-
required or permitted night decided to open
to take part in the man the campaign August
carnations. caucuses, will speak at Cincinnati
or August r at
rule is applicable to ev- August 70. Secretary
cry department of thelSherman Will speak at
civil service. 1t should Steubenville. A'plonso
officer of the General Charles Foster at Ak
Government that be is rom"
expected to conform his
@enta. r. r b 5. H ffSalss-
The same order declares that emo
assessment for political purposes on
officers or suboIdinates should be al
lowed" Yet in the face of it regular
agent goes through the departments
and is allowed five per cent. on all his
collections. He is said to do a thriving
business, and is applauded for his eff
cheney and zeal by the whole Fraudu-
lent Administration. The money thus
raised has been sent to Ohio to buy
votes and to carry on the campaign
N. Y. San.