Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-07-06

"llICl % alo' w . Law 0CCh kbot WI
rupt civil service is legacy from Great
Britain to this country. There is moth
lug inherent in republican government
which has produced it or need perpet.
uate it. AS the thing itself was
indigenous to Great Britain
the cure was provided there; and as We
have adopted the one, We may adopt
the other" 1t must be considered.
however, that we are long way behind
the
Condition of the British Service in 1855
when the last great reforms were intro
duced Hasty or violent action
will prejudice the whole cause.
There must be a day OF small
things in reforms as in every thing else.
The most that could be hoped for at
present is the examination OF the great
majority of candidates aid the promo
ton they merit. Tenure in Office is not
necessarily involved in the first move
ment toward reform. 1t may be treated
separately, and though it must ultimste-
~ be during good behavior, "if reforms
is to be permanent, that question can be
considered after others are out Of the
way. We need a didactic literature, so
that the subject may be
Fairly Put Before the Public.
We need also such change in the law
as will give civil service commission a
tenure similar TO that OF judges. Even
tually the law limiting the tenure OF a
great number of officers to four years
must be repealed. There is nothing to
In lrp,n taGInu tho
initiative in reform and pushing it for
ward to great lengths without the action
OF Congress. This was done in Great
Britain and Parliament WAS speedily
coerced by public opinion into support
ing all the reform measures to the full
est possible extent. The
Benefits OF the System
in the United Stntes, it is sufficiently
obvious, would he very great. When
good beginning has been made, the re.
form will work out its own salvation,
and bring the whole rotten framework
OF the present system clattering about
the ears OF the office brokers. Congress
men will be glad to relinquish the bur-
dens OF patronage when they appreciate
how thankless the tasks it imposes are.
Public Opinion VIII Support Exan.ina-
tions
and carry them out TO their legitimate
conclusion ii once they are fairly insti-
tuted. For more than century admin
istrative science has engaged the best
efforts OF leading statesmen OF Europe,
only in tht United States has it been
neglected and despised in an increasing
ratio rs the country has grown more
rich aud powerful, and consequently
has needed it more. A modern writer
well SAYS that outside of the American
Union the spoils system
Has Not the Support of a Single State
above the moral level of Mexico, Tur.
key and the facttious Spanish-Amcrican
republics which the example Of the
United States has helped to dcmoralize.
1t is impossible that the American
Union should retain that system and
continue to hold her high position
among the nations OF the earth. The
immediate consequence OF reform would
be to increase the practical efficiency
and economy OF the service; TO remove
the chief source OF corruption in public
life; to
Leave Congress and the Executive
Free
lone is forcihly reminded OF the late
Senate contest, and the Garlield.COnk'
ling hghu ior,the discharge of their lcgit-
innate duties; to diminish political agita'
ton by making elections fewer; to in
crease popular interest in public ques.
tlons: to stimulate elementary euuUa-
ton; to promote true democracy by put
ting all citizens on an equality before the
law and abolishing patronage; and
finally, to remove stain from the repu-
tation OF republican institutions and
cause the first government in the world
to be regarded in all respects as the best
r Il