Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-29
nur Army Of PIacemen.


John c. Calhoun, the great master OF
the philosophy of history. once re-
marked, with precedence that has be
come all but fulfilled prophecy, that
when the number Of oficeholders reached
one hundred thousand nothing could
preserve the liberties of the American
people but an overwhelming change IN
public sentiment or a popular revoiu-
ton. We Of to-day have seen enough OF
the corruptions Of placemen and the
dsngerous influence they WELD to con.
fess the truth Of CslhOun's prediction.
The nnmber Of OfficehOlders in the en-
,lov IF the Federal Government has
rescbed. if it has not passed, the danger
limit which he set TO it.
For three decades the party that has
controlled the government has gone on
Increasing the number Of subOrdinates,
and each year the machine theory has
been more and more widely ap-
piled. until, as was evidenced IN
the last election, the vast army
moves as one man for the perpetuation
Of party supremacy. Not only is party
fealty rewarded. but the rule is estab-
lished that every placeman must become
a worker and labor as zealOusly for par
ty ends as his superiors may command.
So powerful an engine has the civil ser
vice become in elections that free and
untrammeled choice on the part Of the
masses is well nigh impossible.
One need not speak Of the record OF
dishonesty, corruption and waste that
the history OF Grants regime discloses.
The smothered rascality practiced under
the late incumbent Of the White House
alone suffices to invite the condemna
ton Of the Republican party. The et-
forts made by the administration to cor
rect the abuses prevailing in the depart
ments are laudable, so far as they have
gone. bat where so much has been dis
covered in the way of guilt and cor
rup,i0n, 1t needs no long stretch Of fancy
% conclude that there is more to be
brought tolight. The heads Of the de-
oartments can render a valuable service
20 the country by pushing the search
during the interval before the meeting
Of Congress. Despite what has been
done, however, it is difficult to believe
that the fondness for white.wash, or the
skill in applying it, has been lost or
lessened.
Should President Garfield recover be
will have it in his power to take stand
in behalf Of honesty, and, while be need
not be expected to hearken to the calls
Of every dreamer, who raves on civil ser
vice reform, he can give the nation the
benefit OF the ideas on the subject that
he must possess. He can be the mouth
piece Of a party, as others have been be-
fore him, but to be the servant Of the
people will require an effort, which he
can make If he chooses. Should he make
1t he may ALLEVIATE the allegiance Of the
bosses, but he will earn the approval of
the nation.
The army Of placemen is far in excess
Of the actual needs Of the service. The
whole force Of the internal revenue
could in the near future be dispensed
with, and by properly apportioning time
and labor in the departments, as is done in
private business, the number of employees
could be largely cut down. The "spOils
system" will probably be with US always,
but its machine features can be abolish
ed Herein lie the dangers that are to
be feared. Il is time for the change in
public sentiment. Should it fail the
other alternative alone will remain.