The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-07

imposed by patronage, 10 DEPEND solely
upon merit for retention ana povancemc"',
and With this constant incentive to exer'
lion and improvement.
These invaluable results bave been at
tanned ir high degree IN the omees wmere
the rules for appointment by compet'u'e
examination have been applied.
A method which has so approved Itself
by experimental tests at points v here sucn
tests may be fairly considered conclusive
should be extended TO all subordinate post
lions under the Government. | believe that
strong and growing public sentiment de.
mands immediate measures for securing ana
enforcing the highest possible efficiency 10
The civil service, and It's protection from
recognized abuses, aud that The experience
referred to has demonstrated the Feasibility
OF such measures.
The examinations In the cust0m'houses
and post-offices h we been held under many
embarrassments and without provision lot
compensation for the extra labor performed
by the officers who have conducted them,
and whose con,meudable interest In the I'M
provement OF the public service has ln-
dnced this devotion OF time ADD labor Win.
out pecDniary reward. A continuance OF
these labors gratuitousIy ought not 10 De
expected, aud without an appropriation ny
Congress for compensation 1t Is not practI'
cable 10 extend The system OF eximina-
lions generally throughout the civil
service. IL Is also highly import.
ant that all such examinations should
be conducted upon q uniform system and
under general supervision. Section 1853 OF
the Revised Statutes authorizes the Presi-
dent to prescribe the regulations for admis-
| sion 10 the civil service OF the United States,
and for This purpose 10 employ suitable per.
sons to conduct the requisite inquiries with
| reference TO "the fitness OF each candidate,
in respect to age, health. character, Know
ledge, and ability, for the branch oil service
into which he seeks TO enter"; but the law
is practically imperative for want OF the
requisite appropriation.
| therefore recommend an appropriation
| OF S25 600 per annum to meet The expenses
OF commission, TO be appointed by the
| President i'm accordance With the terms OF
this section, whose duty IL shall be 10 devise
lust, uniform, and efficient system OF COM
petiiive examinations, and 10 supervise the
application OF the same throughout the en-
| tire civil service OF The Government. am
persuaded that the facilities which such
commission will afford for testing the
fitness OF those who apply for office
will not only be as welcome RELIEF to
members OF Congress ~ II will be TO
the President and heads Of departments,
but that II will also greatly tend to remove
The ciusrs OF embarrassment which pow
| inevitably and constantly attend the con-
1iciing claims OF patronage between the
legislative and executive departments.
| The most fl ctual check upon the PERM.
cious competition OF Influence and official
| . IN, ta hos al nf Off ~
the substitution OF an open competition OF
mel it between the applicants. in which
every one c1n make his own record with the
assurance that bis success will depend upon
tbs alone.
also recommend such legislation as,
while leaving every officer as free as any
other citizen 10 express his political 0pin-
ions and 10 use bi. means for their advance.
Incnt. shall also enable him to feel as safe Is
any private citiZen in refusing all demands
upon his salary for political purposes. A
| law which should thus guarantee true Iibcr-
| ~ and Justice 10 all who are engaged IN lie
pubic service. and likewise contain $trin-
gent provisions against the use OF official an
| tbority 10 coerce the political action OF phi
yate citizens or official subordna'cs, Is
greatly to he desired.
| The most serious obstacle. however, to an
Improvement OF the civil service, and espe-
cially 10 a reform in the method OF appoint
mept and removal, has been found to be
the practce under what is known as the
spoils system, by which the appointing
power has been so largely encroacbed upon
| by members Of Cong ess. Toe first step IN
| the reform OF The civil service must be a
complete divorce between Congress and
| the Executive In the matter OF appoint
ments. The corrupting doctrine That to
| the victors belong the SPOTS is inse para
! BILE from congressional patronage as the
| established rule and practice OF par
| ties in power. IL comes To be uDder-
stood by applicants for Office. and by
| the people generally, that representatives
and senators are entitled to disburse the
patronage Of their respective districts and
States. Ii l. not necessary to reciie at length
the evils resulting from this invasion OF The
Executive functions. The true principles
of government on the subject Of appoint
ments 10 Office, as stated IN The national
conventions Of the leading parties OF the
country, have again and again been ap.
proved by The American people, and have
not been called IN question In any quarter
These authentic expressions OF public
opinion upon this all.impOrtant subject are
the statement OF principles that belong TO
the constitutional structure OF the Govern
ment.
"Under the Constitution the President
and heads OF depar ments are TO make
nominations for office. The Senate is to ad-
| wise and consent TO appointments, and the
House OF Representatives IS 10 accuse and
prosecute faIthless officers. The best infer
est Of the public service demands that these
distinctions b. respected; that senators and
| representatives, who may he judges and ac-
cusers, should not dictate appointments TO
Office" To tins end the c. operation OF the
| legislative department OF the Government
| is required, alike by The necessities Of the
case and by public opinion. Members OF
Congress will not be relieved from the de-
mands made upon them with reference 10
apnonrmepts to Office until by legislative
enactment The pernicious practice Is con-
demned and forbidden.
Ii is therefore recommended that an act
be pa. sed defining the relations Of members
of Congress wthIespect to appointment 10
office by the President; and | also recon-
mend that the provisions Of section 1867
and OF the sections following OF the Re-
vised Statutes. comprising the teDuI e-of-
Office acl OF March 2. 1867, be repealed.
Believing that to reform The system and
methods Of the civil service in our country
Is one OF the highest and most imperative
tfuiies Of state.manship, and that il can be
pes manen,ly done only by the co0pera-
ton OF the legislative and executive de-
partmrnis of the Government, again com.
mend the whole subject 10 your consderate
attention.
1t Is The recognized duty and purpose OF
the people OF the United States to suppress
poiygamy where 1t now exists in our Terri
tories, and TO prevent ils extension. Faith.
ful aud Jealous efforts have been made by