New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-11

ders disapp0ntmcnts and the madDess of
hatred and revenge. 1t is scarcely neces-
sary to say that THE TRIBUNE is no advo-
cate OF the existing system. 1t has been for
years a constant and nnvaryinS opponent of
the spoils systematic plan which had its origin
with a Democratic Administration, and has
never been opposed by the Democratic party
| except when that party was out of power and
running low for political capital-of using the
Government offices rs a reward for party SER
vices. But it has never indulged the dolu-
sion that the evils of the system could be cured
by the schoOlmaster's remedy of competitive
examinations,
The crying evil of the whole existing system
is the loose tenure of Office IN the Govern
meDt service, and the custom which prevails
to considerable extent, though greatly mod-
fled by successive Republican Administrations,
of making changes with the incoming of each
new Executive. The expectation of sweeping
changes in the offices was what filed
the mind of Guiteau and excited in him
the hope of an official position. 1t was the dis
appointment of this uufounled hope, appar-
entity, that helped to incite him to the COM
mission of his crime. SO long Us the tenure
OF office continues to be uncertain and vague.
dependent upon the will or caprice of the
removals and sweeping changes in the depart
ments, new Administration will always be
beslcged by crowds of clamorous seekers for
place, thinking of nothing but their own per-
sonal needs and selfish ends, and ready to be
Knocked off their balance by disappointment
and failure. No reform of the service that
does not have regard for something like fxty
Of tenure, or that does not mt least make the
subordinate places dependent upon something
besides favOritiSm or partisanship, can cure
this evil. Competitive examinations are well
enough III their way for admission and promo
ton i'll the service, but reform to be effective
and thorough must rest upon the establish
mcnt of the principle that faithful service
insurcs absolutely pcrmancnce of tenure and
continuance in office.
The difficulty that seems insuperable in the
way of establishing the service upon such a
basis is the natural unwiingness Of the two
great parties to deprive themselves of the most
effective weapon they have in the prosecution
of campaigns. Democratic newspapers and
Democratic orators discourse upon this theme
with great carnestness, as though they really
desired To see the factor of patronage elimi-
mated from political controversy and the spoils
system abolished. Nothing could be further
from the truth. The expectancy of office
through the agency Of wholesale removals upon
the advent of Democratic Administration is
the source of at least onc-half tie strength
of that party in u Presidential election. Take
that away and the party ceases to be for
midahlc. With this weapon in the hands of
the opposition, the party in power imagircs it
cannot afford to dsarm itself. There was
much Democratic talk in the last campaign
about the wrongfulness of permitting
Government officials to contribute to
the funds for election purposes With
hundreds of thousands of Democrats working
like beavers and spending all the money they
could raise for no other purpose than to GUST
these officials and get their places, ii was
pretended that any movement of the men in
Office to keep their places was unsecmIy and
improper The abSurdity of tia pretencc was
| too palpablc. The simple truth is, though at
first blush it may sound strange, practical re-
form of the service depends upon the party
out of power. This was pointed out 10 the
Democrats in the last campaign. They could
very easily have disarmcd the Republican
ofcc-holders and put'an end TO their election
contributions by giving assurance that with
the advent of Democratic administration
there should be no removals from Office except
for cause. But they did not dare weaken
themselves by giving such IN assurance.
We always glad, of course, to hear Dem
ocrats protesting desire to reform the Civil
Service. But we should have more faith in
| their sincerity if they would give some such
practical proof of it they were invited to
and declined in the last campaign. When they
get ready to say authoritatvcly that if they
should obtain power they would make no re-
| movals from or appointments to the subord-
| nate places for partisan reasons, they can have
the reform they 50 camorous for.