Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-11-10
Ciyil-ScrVice Reform.

ca. IIeylSteT-
The time has come for action. The
sad calamity which so recently spread
a gloom over the entire country has
eliminated the crisis.
The Executive Department of the
Government must be so modified as
to relieve the President and the cOun-
try of this continued menace.
The leading principle actuating our
fOrefathers in forming this Govern
ment, was self government, in Opposi-
ton to monarchy or concentration of
power.
In dividing the powers and resposi-
bilities among the various departments
of the Government, and reserving to
themselves (the people) the uttinaatuna
ct torentena. they sou sht to attain the
desired equilibrium between the great
est liberty and necessary legal re-
straint.
The Executive was supplemented
with the appointment of his imme Ii
ate advisers (the Cabinet), and also the
subor jinates nece 8 ,ry to the respec-
tive departments, although the COnsti-
| tuition says Congress may leave this
with the heads of the departments"
| at that time, and for many years af-
| terward, it worked well; but as the
country grew, it increased until it has
| become not only An embarrassment
to the President, but serious danger
one that cannot be ignored with inn
punity.
The immense patronage at the dis
posal of the President not only endan-
gers his life from disappointed office
| seekers, but il is the main Secret-the
chief cause of corruption in our Presi-
Dental elections.
| I leave this statement-in all its
length and breadth-to the honest con-
viction of every one who knows the
workings of the various machinery OF
politics.
Healthy competition and laudabIe
emulation are not to be despised, nor
even underestimated; but this power
behind the throne"-these 100, 900 offic-
es, with their millions Of money at the
disposal of the successful candidates.
dangerous power; dangerous to the
President who would honestly dispose
of such vast pat!anage, dangerous to
the people if it fall into the hands OF
corruption and ambition.
| But cit is easier to find faults than to
remedy them" How can this difficult
| ty be overcome?
| In the first place, let the people fill
as many of these offices by election as
can be done to advantage; such as re-
quire local knowledge of the person
and office; where the people know the
man, and understand what is required
| of him.
But a majority of these offices must
still be filed by appointment: there
fore let Congress appoint commit
tee-say two Representatives and one
Senator-for each department.; which
committee, with the head of that de-
partment. shall appoint all subordin-
ates-leaving the President with the
appointment of his Cabinet and the
Supreme Court only. Making his du-
ties more exclusively executive; free
ing him, In the meantime, from an un-
desirable nuisance and embarrassment
with this danger.
Then come on with your competi-
tive examination, where it can be done
conveniently, and let them hold Office
during 'good BEHAVIOR" thus encOur-
aging fidelity and zeal, and making Of
ficers more directly accountable to the
people, whose welfare should be the
first and chief desideratum.
There'are other remedies, OF course:
the above suggestions seem to accord
more nearly with the principles on
which the Government was estab-
lished. q. w. FARRAR, NJ. ID.