Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-08-24
TIE DEMOCRATS AND CIVIL SERVICE
REFORM.

Thinking men have long since perceived
that the only way to secure an ecohohii'ai
and thoroughly honest and efhcient ad-
ministration of public business Is 10 hi'
the civil service out of the rut of partisan
politics. So long as the enormous federal
patronage, as it is now called, continues to
be the prize of party warfare, SO long VIII
Congress be deprived of the services of the
hest class of men, and politics in general
be controlled by those who devote them
selves entirely to managing party machln-
cry, not in the public interest, but for the
furtherance of selfish aims. The reform
of the Civil Service is in fact an issue
which ought to command the energetic
support of all sensible men without dis
tinction of party, for its present condition
initiates against the interests of all alike.
Under the existing system 1t is I'M
possible to obtain that independence
and consciousness in Congressional can
didates which must ever be the best guar
antees for effective public service. The
man who desires to enter politics is now
obliged to submit to compromises and to
make concessions which are incompatible
with any high standard OF ethics. In fact,
the requirements of party candidates de-
mand an abnegation of sincerity which
practically excludes from public life those
who are best qualified to adorn it, and
establishes standard fatal to the devel-
opment of such class of statesmen as
great nation has right to expect. The
difficulties in the way of reform are IN
questionably very great, but there is
distinction in eligibility between the
two parties, and it is necessary to point
out what it consists in. AbstractlV speak
ing there is nothing to choose between the
normal tendencies of partisanship, no mat
ter what it is called. Both parties employ
the same kind of machinery, in the same
way, and for the same ends. II the influ-
ences behind them were identical in char
acter it would be useless to expect more
from one than from the other. But it is
at this point that they diverge. The Re-
publican party embraces all the elements
which are striving after better things. 1t is
controlled in the main by highly individ-
ualized and positive class of thinkers, who
will not countenance the baser political
methods, and who are at all times ready
to renounce party ties rather than support
corrupt policies. The result is that what
ever reforms are possible under the circum-
stances are urged IN the Republican party.
The professional politicians kick and re-
sist, but in time they are compelled to
assent to the adoption of purer methods on
pain of defeat at the polls. The independ-
ent element forces them on, however reluc
tant they HAY be, and finally changes are
introduced which pave the way for still
better things. Thus the best hopes of the
country are inevitably conferred upon this
organization, and thus true reformers are
attracted to it, and are led to strengthen
its power for good at every possible oppor
tunity.
But no such restraining and purifying
influence is connected with the national
Democracy. In that party there has never
been the least indication of reform
tendency. The baneful maxim, "To
the victors belong the spoils, has always
been its rule of conduct. It has never
desired or sought anything more than the
monopoly of offices. When it goes into
a campaign its goal is the public crib,
and whenever it gets the upper hand it
proceeds to make a clean sweep of all
the positions within reach. No sane man
ever doubted that Hancock's election
would be the signal for sweeping change
in the offices, or that this would be de-
Tended and applauded by the masses of
he party. All talk of Civil Service
reform would be laughed to scorn. "None
but Democrats on guard would be the
cry, and regardless of fitness, regardless of
every consideration but the claims of
party, they would be thrust upon the peo-
pie as pensioners Now, despite all the
difficulties of the undertaking, there have
been accomplished some encouraging re-
forms in the civil service already. What
they are was stated by the Hon.
Carl Schurz short time ago in this State.
He showed that in fact great deal more
has been done than the public generally are.
4
efforts are being made to enlarge and
reinforce these beginnings by better things,
with the best results. We have then
already inserted the entering wedge, and
it is only question of time and perse-
verance to complete the good work, pre-
vided the party which comprises the only
active reformatory influences extsnt, re-
mains in power. But if the Democrats
carry the coming election all these efforts
will have been made in vain, and the
country will be thrown back into the con-
dition from which it has taken so many
years to emerge No Democrat who has
any regard for the truth will venture to
assert that there is any possibility of Civil
Service reform under the auspices of his
party. Even if such an assertion
was made no one would believe it.
1t is unfortunately toowell understood that
the Democrats are hungry party; that
they have been too long deprived of the
wants of Office to be scrupulous and that
if successful at the polls they would drink
the cup of their partisan prosperity to the
very dregs. This consideration alone
ought to convince all thinking men that it
would be fatal blunder to give such a
party the opportunity to destroy all hope of
reform in the administration of the public
business.
THE ARISE OF PETITIONS