The Republican journal., 1881-07-14
The Spells System.

The Portland Advertiser in referring
to the Journals conclusions that the act
of Guiteau had no logical relation to the
spoils system, omits matter of import
ance in this connection. That is, the al
legged insanity of the assassin. If, as many
believe, Guiteau is insane his actions are
not to be accounted for, and his crime is
only Il counterpart Of that of the Pocasset
child murderer. In none of the numer-
Gus published interviews with Guiteau,
and in none of his letters, is anything
said of his claims to an Office or Of his
disappointment because of his failure to
obtain one. Indeed, from what he has
said and written the natural inference
would be that his crime was the direct
outcome Of the Conkling matter. Gui-
teau was an ardent partisan of Conkiing
and Platt When arrested he said: les
| have finished Garfield, now Arthur is
President. | am u stalwart.' And in
the letters found on the prisoner written
before and in anticipation Of the crime
the same sentiments are found, in sub
stantially the same language. The logic
al deduction from these facts must be ap-
parent to all. The spols system certain
ly has naught to do with it, 1t may be
said here, lest there should be any mis-
construction of these words, or any doubt
as to the Journals position concerning
the conspiracy theory, that it does not
now and never has entertained even a
bare suspicion that Guiteau was the tool
of any man or set Of men. TO accuse
Messrs. Conkling and Platt OF having,
directly or indirectly, encouraged the as
sassn is a crime of scarcely less magnl-
tude than that of which the President
has been the victim. Such charge can
only reflect upon those who make it.
The Journal finds no fault with the at
lacks upon the spoils system, although
their logic is not of the best, and in many
instances they have been carried too far.
The view it has taken of this matter is
amply confirmed now that the ''too pre-
vious' Outburst is over. For example,
the Boston Journal of the 9th says that
"there would be Guiteaus, deadbeats and
tlamps under the best system of civil sell
vice." and the New York Herald Of the
sth remarks that the relation of the at
tempt to kill the President to civil SER
vice "has already been grossly eXaggerat
ed 1t says further: ave ought to
abolish the spoils system; but if we do
we need not iiatter ourselves that we
have thereby made the life of the eXecu-
tive safe against lunatics." This is sub
stantally what tie journal said IA week
ago.
There is no need, nor is it Just, to add
the crime OF a ilnatic to the evils of the
spoils system. Nor is our civil service as
at present, and for many years conduct
ed, without rc,teeming features There
are many Democrats in the Departments
to-day; many WHO have held office con
tinuously under different administrations;
and many who have won promotion from
step to step solely on their merits. 4
Maine man who entered the Post Office
Department as clerk became Postmaster
General. The present Treasurer of the
nited States Il position of the greatest
financial responsibility under the govern
ment does not owe his place to sin
tluence' or party services, but to his
capacity Us shown in former responsible
positions in the Treasury Department.
These are noted but not exceptional,
service reform have been observed. ln
deed, it may be said that where a clerks
opportunities and abilities enable him to
demonstrate his usefulness, his term of
office during good behavior is quite secure.
But there are many positions which re
quire no special ability and afford no OPP
pOrtunities to those possessing them.
Most of the work of the government is
necessarily of Il routine character In
many positions good penmanship and
average intelligence are the only quallt
cations needed. The civil service reform
examinations in such cases are simply alb
surd. The merchant who wants Il book
keeper does not put applicants through
an examination in Greek and mythology,
nor is there any good reason why the
Government in employing accountants
should do So
This civil service question cannot be
properly settled 10y theorists profession
al retormers, who are seldom practical.
1t must be dealt with in practical bust
ness like way. Appointments should be
made on probation, and competent en-
ployces Of the government should be
assured of retaining their positions during
good behavior. This alone would do
away with many of the evils of the spoils
system and would be alike of advantage
to the clerks and the government. Now
a clerk whose ''intluence" becomes an eX-
Congressman does not know when he may
be called to step down and ont to make
room for an appointec Of the new NJ. c.
This fear is pretty sure to demoralize the
clerk, and to destroy his usefulness to IL
greater or less extent. OF the humila-
tons and degradatlons too often endured
in obtaining a place, and Of the sad fate
of those who, after years of government
service have untitled them for other work,
are turned out without cause. it is not
necessary to speak now.
Mr.. Depew has withdrawn from the
contest at Albany and a Republican eau