Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1881-06-24
DortG obQrro Ginlcs
PORT TOBACCO O:
Friday Morning, June Oath, 1881
Civil Service Reform.


days paper. The object of the associa-
ton. it will be seen, is to secure the es-
adjustment Of a system of appointment,
promotion and removal in the civil ser
vice-Municipal, State and Federal
based upon the principal that public Of
flee is public trust, admission TO which
should depend upon duly ascertained fit
ness. The association will exert itself to eff
feet measures to make the appointment to
and promotions in the subordinate, exc
cutive and clerical offices of government
depend solely upon the merit of the can
didate, to be ascertained as far as posi-
BILE by competitive examinations, to which
all who are properly qualified are admis-
sible; and that removals shall not be
made for political opinion or refusal to
render partisan service.
This is undoubtedly the true basis upon
which the civil service of the local, State
and Federal Governments should rest.
The system, which has for long time
prevailed in all public employment,
of distributing the offices to partisans, as
a reward for party services, past and pros
pective, is most false and dangerous one
This system of public employment not
only leads to the employment of incom
petent and supernumerary public officers,
to the great and improper increase of
public expenditures, but also operates to
give political party that once obtains
control of the government machinery,
means of extending and perpetuating its
power, not dependent upon the popular
approval of the public policy of such
party. No more forcible exemplifcation
or this fact could be found than is pre-
sented by the present domination in Fed
eral affairs of a party whose policy has
been for years condemned by decided
majority of the intelligent voters of the
country.
This pernicious system exerts, too, a
most baneful influence upon society. 1t
has the effect Of breeding class of lazy
loafers, who, without sufficient informa-
ton to form Intelligent political opinions,
abandon all useful industry, and devote
their time to lounging around greg-shops
and corner-groceries with view of ma
nipulating primaries and controlling po-
litical action. In return for such ser
vices, they expect to be rewarded by en-
ployment in the public service, and this
is the class from which, under the "spoils
SYSTEM" public officers are too frequently
appointed.
The true and only Legitimate purpose of
Government is the protection OF individ
uals in the enjoyment of their lives, lib
erty and property, and the advancement
of the common interests of the community
by judicious public meas res. The proper
office OF political parties is to act in har-
mony and organized unity to direct the
affairs of government acco riding to certain
distinct and duly promulgated principles
Of political economy. The only appeal to
popular support that these parties should
be enabled to hold out, ought to be ad-
dressed to the intelligent conviction of the
people upon its platform of political prin
ciples. They should not he enabled to
hold out brides to political proselytes in
the shape of public Office at xhorbitant
salaries. The people, in popular as well
as in monarchial governments, should de-
fhoir al cd apf
solely upon their private industry, and
should be content if they are protected by
Government in the enjoyment of their per-
sonal, civil and religious liberties and the
fruits of their private industry. 1t is
false principle that teaches men to look to
government for support, except when they
are bodily or mentally disabled so as to
be incapable of labor. There are many
other views in which the falsity and per-
niciousness of the "spoils system" might
be proved, and on just ne grounds can it
be justified.
1t is most gratifying to observe that the |
Intelligent and conscientious people of
the country seem to be becoming thor
oughly aroused upon this question. Thi.
is certainly most inviting field for the
labor of all true reformers. The National |
Civil Service Reform Association has, du-
ring the past session of Congress, already
accomplished some important work. in
the way of getting bills for divorcing the
Fodoral Civil Corvioo from, pol;t;o f,r..o
bly, reported in both Houses. 1t will be
the proper duty of our State association
to make determined efforc to secure sim
liar action by our State Legislature du-
ring the next session. Until some pro-
vision for permanency OF tenure in pub
lie Office is established, it is all folly to
talk about making 1.-The salaries Of public
officers the same as those paid for similar
services in private employment" The
tenure of public and private employment
will have to be made Of equal stability,
before the remuneration for such services
can be justly equalized. 1t is to be hoped
thele for, that Gov. Hamilton and all his
reformers will be found identifying them
selves with this movement, though it is
somewhat surprising fact that not one of
the two hundred and seventy Vice-Presi-
dents of the Maryland Institute meeting
are found among the officers of this asso-
citation.
We are in thorough sympathy with the
work of this association,
and hope to live to see the day when the
public service will be thoroughly sepa-
rated from political influences. When
such state of affairs shall be attained,
the supremacy of political parties will de-
pend, as it properly ought to, upon the
merits of their political doc