The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-10-11
THE sPOILS SYSTEM.

- E.+-. IAE SEOh0 xO1Gm.
There seems to be q good deal of loose
sentimentality and erroneous opinion upon
this subject. DISTINGUISHED observers must
fail to perceive any essential difference be-
tween one faction calling itself the "better
clements" and another fa' ton they are
pleased 10 denominate the "worse elements"
The clamors about renewals from Office seems
to proceed upon the presumption that certain
men are born with a divine right to public
place, and that a duty is resting upon the
dear people to support them in. office.
The high moral disQuisitions that have been
hurled At President Arthur, in relation to the
retention Of the cabinet. are In the line Of
this failacious sentiment. Attorney-Gensrsl
MacVesgh, one Of the cabinet. and . maa
who has been regarded a. belonging 70 The
sentimental side, states that the President 10
entitled 10 the selection of advisers from
among his political and personal friends, aud
his administration TO full credit for what Il
may accomplish, without resting under the
imputs.ion Of having performed valuable
public service through q cabinet inherited
from his predecessor. In the adninistration
Of public affairs harmony is an essential ele-
nent, and the country seems to be acquies-
cling in the right and propricty of = selection,
by President Arthur Of . cabinet of his own
choice. ..
The principles which would govern the
selection Of cabinet members applies IS we'll
to every branch of the civil service. No man
has all Inherent right to office, aud the world
is full of better men that never held Office.
Rotation lii Office is essential to a
vice. The position OF the civil service re-
formers, that officials are not 70 be removed
except for cause, is a sort Of cunninRly de-
vised scheme for the ms to stay Ill. The pro-
fessions of these reto,meIs are merely thso-
| r~e.ical, and are not reduced to practice when
these matters does not commend itself TO the
public judgment as being preferable to that of
Conkling. He removed Collector Merritt,
who had the entire commercial endorsement
of New York, to make room for Judge hob.
ertson, to whom he was under obligations for
PCioohhi ~ 40 o ktOPCA SoAAC oA
human nature for men III official position to
help their friends If they deem them worthy
and competent; and their Partially often in-
clines them to discover worth when it does
not exist. The question Of civil service may
be discussed, and rules adopted, aud . sort OF
ssoical indifference mapped out for the distri-
button Of public patronage, but men will al
ways find themselves coming out Of the came
hole i'll these mattsrs-political and personal
friendship and esteem. Th- struggle in po-
lit!cal life turns on the control Of . hundred
thous md Offices, moro OF less. These Offices
every Republican camp-foliowsr lo%ks upon
- q personal perquisite of his own vicserious
chieitain. That victorious chieftxin in June
was President Garfield. He is now Presidcui
Arthur.
Efforts have been made to reform the
abuse Of assessing, Offices for political pur-
poses. The late President Garfield In . public
speech said 1.-THE practice affords q larg.
so-ealled electioneering fund which in NAM
cases never gets beyond the shysters aud tn.
mere camp-followe rs Of the party" Thu
remark showed the insight of the man int
matters below the superficial business Of run
ming a campaign. That there were shysten
and camp blowers who make q living out o
parties no knew instinctively. 1t Is not con
fined 10 us tional elections, but shows itsel
in the most petty municipal contest, wher,
these shysters are gathered together to asses
officers. candidates, and those who have re
mote expectations of becoming candidates
and then putting The money into their owl
pockets. The very worst feature OF the spoil
system Is that these creatures, upon pretenst
of party service, manage to crowd into public
position. The civil service rule, that 10 off
cial shall take All active part in politics, wouls
be more effective if extended to embargo &C
tive politicians from Office. The fact of all,
party succeeding to power carries with it
presumption that til. peopl. desire the al
ministration Of pulir afl hrs 10 lie committe,
: to that party. AS ile PRESIDENT that was 40
pointed mo that Were agreeable to him /,
should the President that is be accorded tin
: same privilege. And if the American peopl
do not like it, they can bring about a chang,
at the next election.
} 1t is a noteworthy circumstance that all III,
coln'y conventions of New York, from
/ which Half Breed delegates are claimed L
l have haau sapt trru thair F,o.s m.. -.