The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-09-15
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

tenn have given a new impetus TO
the cause of civil service reform.
and the association, at the head of
which is George William Curtis,
is entering with renewed energy
upon its pet scheme of having
better service done, through the
government departments, for the
public than for the party leaders
and the office-holders. 1t is con-
ceded that efficiency should be the
standard for employment in the
public service, and mill this
is so, instead of party and
individual service being alone
the instrument through which
public positions are filled, while
illiteracy and thorough mental un-
fitness for place often cucumber
the public service, the friends of
civil service reform should not
abate their labOrs in a most worthy
cause. The spoils system is not only
the curse of the Washington govern
ment, but, more or less, it creeps into
every state and county and mu-
nicipal government throughout
this broad land. Every man may
call to mind numerous instances
where places are filled by most in
competent men, and even the capital
of Texas could afford several instan-
ces of such incompetency, where
personal favoriteism or personal SER
vice has been alone considered. This
system exists everywhere, and the
only remedy is to apply the test of
merit through competent committees
to the applicant. We do not object
to the partisan having his reward
provided the place he would fill
would be well served through his
employment, but in the name of
decency, Democrats at least should
not follow evil examples, and, in re-
warding the victor, give employment
to the worthless. Candidates are
lavish in promises, and their evil
habits should be arrested by
taking the power to reward
out of their hands. They
should be made to know that their
personal influence, in case of sue
cess, would win nothing, except for
the specially meritorious. Guiteau
was a pet of the Republican COM
mittee, and was assigned work in
New York. He made grand and
effective speeches in favor of Mr..
Garfield, and felt that he was valua-
BILE to the party, because the
committee complimented him by cir
culating his efforts in the shape of
printed campaign matter. 1t Ia said
he even holds Mr.. Garfield's auto
graph acknowledgment that he
was greatly indebted to him, and it
is not surprising he was made des-
perate when snubbed at the white
house. Who would net have felt
outraged under similar circumstan-
ces? Guiteau was not personal
friend of Mr.. Garfield, and
the concessions which won the
support of Conkling and Grant
won the support of Guitea1. The
fact is that Mr.. Blaine could not
'endure the success of his politi ,al
enemy, and it was decreed that he
and Guiteau should both go down.
Had civil service regulations re-
quired Guiteau to secure the ap-
proval of a competent board of ex-
aminers, as to his fitness for position,
President Garfield would not to-
day be at the disposal of DIR. Bliss. and
the daily press of the country would
have been spared this most terrible
strain upon their resources. That
the country may be spared its repe-
tition, and for the good of the pub
lie service, the STATESMAN does
hope Mr.. Curtis wiz keep his ball
moving until congress and legisla-
lures and councils provide for
public employment on the same
principle that governs the best regu-
lated private business.