New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-18
FIXTTY or TENURE IN OFFycF

THE OPINIONS or Az OPPONENT OF TIE cr,srp.r
FEATURE OF CIVIL SERVICE REroRN-Ax AR
GcMENr DRAWN FROM THE WORKINGS OF T1Te
FRENCH SYSTEM
WASHINGTON July IL" Civil Service Reform ia
talked about everywhere again." recently said an
ex-diplomatic Official, who has filed responsible
positions IN the legations at several European cap
tails. There is perhaps good deal 70 be desired in
our civil Service system. and the condemnation Of
our patronage PLAZA Il doubtless Just a certain ex
tent but after all believe our Civil Service is the
best, cheapest and most efficient i'm the world
theorists, of course. paint their schemes in rose
c"iors' but they often know nothing of the actual
results which their plans would bring. There j. the
hAly OF tenure In office, which seems 10 be the CEN
rh feature of proposed reform Well how does il
Work aDroadF In France for example. where en-
trance TO the Civil service j. helged about
WIN enormous difficulties, and where positions
are ordinarily held for life. il is the
constant sndy of majority of the civil function
arcs To consume as much time rs possible with any
gwen piece Oh work How not to do il is reduced
to "a science indeed,
DO YOU know the number of Civil Ssr,ice On,
pioyes IN France' MOI Well, friend of mine was
'noe 'olu py t'ainbettl, then journalist that the
CIV rolls contained the names of 400 600 employees
is' mlnd you, does not include single military or
naval onl'er Four hundred thousand is a large
number, and yet We think our 100000 is an ei,or-
'hey VIII treat you spendidly If YOU 90 among
'heh; our boys can't make a bow 80 handsomely.
ana are not 80 well uD Ia department. bat would
prefer 1or actual work the young fellow who comes
TO Washington from Western village for a wears
experience and fun, through the favor of his Con
gresham, t. three or four OF those who ill the lilo
positions abroad.
\ young American is brought up among IL.
most stirring activities. and. whatever his parent
age mas been led TO consider the accomplishment Of
something not only desirable but necessary and
unier any clrcumst ances he will be apt 10 Get some
thing accomplished for his own peace of mind if Cor
nothing else. \ young Frenchman finds il cnor-
ousiy dlcult TO get admitted TO the lis; of those
who may even present their applications for Office
Then the actual attainment of Office is ed ced bout
with further great difficulties. Once in he feels
thai hls lie work Is in a measure accoinpli shed
lhfee OF four hundred dollars a year is his ,tipcud
at the start and progress is slow After twenty
or thirty years he may work Hp to a salary OF
SI'sOO or $1,000. These the lucky fellows.
lnelr sons marry the daughters of tallow chandler
and soap men who have retired with fortunes
Things 20 in Tuts nothing Is reformed there OK.
cept with the advent of a new head to the Office
concerned. To put a stamp on AN envelope in a
way or IN a spot different from that ordained by
custom Is almost revolutionary. TO take less than
half dav to fiji o1t half dozen lines in printed
Official BOOK Is against all precedent. When a new
CONSUL i"i example goes over from this
send his name to the proper Department and request
the customary official permit for him to perform his
duties To grant this requires writing PERHAPS a
dozen lines in printed blank Well, this can't be
done III les~ than a month.
he power TO discharge an employee whenever he
ceases 10 merit the favor OF his chief i the very
essence OF cIhclcncy. DO Non remember when
Grant ilrst came in! H. wanted To appoint 4 T.
stewart a Secretary of the Treasury There was
such hustliug about of the dry bones IN The
Treasury ~ never saw before. The oid Scotch
man Il coming. they said. and the methods of A
coinmcrclal eStab Shmcnt wIil be- used ia the Treas
urN. lie loves u torture bis clerks for the mere
pleasure of the thing. Andclerks manifested quite
general disposition not only to do their own work
better. but many instances TO seize pon the work
81 Their fellows, lest percbance Ge~N might be
lound without suflcIrncy of functions 10 warrant
ls longer continuance. Since that time has GOT 10
be quite the fashion for executive 0i,-~ To seek 10
maze their record 10y accomplishing more work aud
tn less expense than IA IT prtle,-. aors. Depend
ubo1 H. hxty 81 tenure Is not all that its advocates
would make believe