Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-03
VIZ. winsarss,. Reform Theory.

VIZ. win5ora's Reform Theory.
Ey-Seeretary Vtndom s plan OF civil service re-
form Is attracting considerable attention. IL Is
IN BRET that each state shall have special COM
Mission and that all applicants for government
appointments within that state shall go before this
commission and submit TO a competitive eh-
animation; that each state shall be entitled to its
quota OF appointments in proportion to popuia-
ton, and the appointments TO Office shall be mace
from "a list fOTW aTtled TO Washington by the CON-
mission Of the prisons examined, In the order OF
merit as vacancies occur OF an increase force is
Eecess ary. The primary object OF this plan is t.
relieve COngrCSsIaen from the responsibility OF
making selections for Office for their respective
states, " hiCh Is an essential step towards prac-
q cal civil service refCIm But the question is do
Congressman desire to be relieved OF this burden?
Past efforts to inaugurate civil service reform have
demonstrated that members OF Congress cling te
naei0usly TO what they regard their right in the
oil taton OF federal officials IN their own states
President Hayes declaration that he would not
listen 10 congressional dictation in the matter OF
appointments was the real cause OF his unpopu
lar.ty with the legislative department Of the gov
ernalent- He was openly ridieuiad and denounced
as a visionary and theorist, who was vain enough
70 st up his own judgment OF what the states
wanted in the way OF federal officials as superior
10 that of the representatives of those states.
Usually when a man gets into Congress he wants
% be reelected and his conduct is regulated by
that desire. He loses sight OF no point that can
BE- utilized to his advantage. He plays every card,
and the control of federal appointments is consid-
cred the trump. The Representative or Senator
who can secure good positions for large number
OF his constituents generally feels that his calling
and reelection sure. Therefore. ii is not to be
expected that congressman will willingly resign
this privilege which custom has bestowed upon
them
But TO waive the Congressional prerogative in
the matter OF federal appointments, what assur-
ance can there be that the delegation to Congress
from state will not control and manipulate the
commission OF that state? The commission would
no doubt be composed OF prominent members OF
the dominant party in the nation resident in that
State. and il the natural order OF things those
members would have ambitions TO crafty which
would render it desirable for them to possess the
friendship and influence OF the Congressman OF the
State III would certainly not be very difficult for
state delegation in Congress to establish its in
nUence over board of commissioners which they
would probably be largely Instrumental in Great
Ing not more difficult. at any rate, than 1t is
Der the present system, to control appointments in
the various departments. Ii is easy enough to for
mulate civil service reform theories, but in
Try where every man considers that he has
Genable right 70 an office, wherever and whenever
h. can get IL, it is hard to put the reform prac
tce. The people viii not consent to a system OF
because that would, in fact, establish life possess
Session OF Office for all who behaved themselves
and performed their duties. Rotation in Office" Is
apoitical doctrine in this country that tells fear
fully against genuine civil service reform
The committee recently appointed by the ma
fiOnll board OF underwriters to examine into the
condition OF the fire department of st. Louis and
Hs falliteS for extinguiShing confiagratonS re-
eemmendS that the rates OF insurance be specially
raised in that city, because the discipline and
equipment OF the department are inadequate, thus
maa1nS fire risks there extra hazardous The
same reasoning which demands an increase Of
Rates in St Louis, and they are manifeStly sound
and tenaole, should insure a rate for Washington
much lower than the average for towns and cities
There are three good grounds for a specially re-
dueed rate here In the first place, re depart
ncnt Is well disciplined and admirably equipped.
In the second place, fires are much less
liable 10 occur here than In manufacturing and
commercial cities In the third place, on account
OF the exceptionally wide streets and the great
number or squares and open reservations. de-
0Huctve CONGREGATIONS are far less likely to spread
than in any city in the country and perhaps In the
world We believe, however, that in spite OF these
unusual and highly advantageous conditions,
washington is not favored with exceptionally low
rates Why is she not?- is Il question which inter-
eas good many people
through city streets is not only spreading, but in
DNhe places IL is taking such steps as will bear
NUTS IN ST Louis a number OF citizens have
joined together and procured an Injunction to pre-
vent the new Mutual Union company from erect
Ing poles In some of the streets that city, as pro-
posed, and its work in that direction has accord
fgy been stopped, for the present, at least 1t is
altogether likely that this opposition has been in
spired by the Old Western Union corporation, as
Charged, but its success is the less to be de-
sired On that account public sentiment, how
ever formed, which objects to the erection of new
poles and wires VIII soon cryStalize into demand
that those now up shall be removed. And "to this
complexion must il come at last
Perhaps the most exemplary community in ex-
1stenee Is that residing upon Pitcairn island 1t
consists OF 95 persons, ali told, and such thing as
crime or even an effeRse of mild character is
ra-e'y ever known The magistrates Office is. In
faef, sinecure, because the people behave them
st-lFe so well he has nothing TO do. These people
strange to say, are the descendant, OF the mutt
neers of the snip Bounty, who settled upon Pit
eairn island in 1890 They were criminals in the
eyes OF the law, at least and yet they established
AM built up colony noted for obedience TO law
and observance of religious duties. The present
Inhabitants OF the island simple In their tastes
Industrious, frugal and honest and they observe
Sunday with great str1ctness.
Mr.. Biaine's Panama letter, quite naturally gets
some diSapprobation In European circles but is
endorsed IN every word by the American people
The current number OF Huper'S EeeTsig sums up
the home feeling In regard 10 it concisely by say
Ing: 1.-The letter is temperate and dignified doc
ument, stating our position with blended spiri,
and courtesy and decision II is captally adapted
q meet any such proposition as joint European
proteetorate. had IL been advanced. But whether
the project was merely tentative runor a de-
sign seriously entertained. the letter has suicet
u arrest it, and t is another Illustration OF the
skill and ability with which Mr.. Blaine has man
aged the department confided to him."
capital remedy for the hip-pocket complaint
which prevails with such fatal results IN some
localities, Is suggested BY the Louisville Courier
Journal. Its prescription is to levy tax OF SIS OF
The vendor OF firearms for every weapon sold; e
Charge license fee OF SO from any person whC
Desires 70 carry pistol, and 10 impose ae of s.,
on every person found carrying pistol without
license. The plan should be generally adopted
ano could very properly be put In force In Wash
1nZtOA- III could hardly IN pr,oye a most ON