The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1882-12-20
CIVIL SERVICE.
Hon. Geo. H. PendletOn Gives
His Views.
Gentleman George" Gives Spicy lnforma.
tioH Regarding Movements OfNatiOnal
Civil Reform.

in excellent health and spirits. don't
remember just where 1t stands on the
calendar, but I've no doubt it will be
reached this session, unless compromised
BY one or another Of the Appropriation
bills.
> Anything new in the state of the
caser'
Nothing really. The newest thing
know Of is the vast amount Of misinfOr-
nation about the terms and purpOrt Of
the bill that seems to have possessed a
number Of leading men In all parts of
the country. Why, 1 saw an interview
with Governor Foster recently publish
ed. He said he was in favor Of the pass.
age Of the bill, because 1t will keep our
men in position for seven years longer,
at any rate This Is gross misconcep-
ton Of the spirit of the bill. It simply
provides for the great army of clerical
and subordinate places in the gift of the
Government, which means the party in
power. 1t neither refers to the large
and influential class of appointments
made directly by the President, nor does
1t in any way restrict the Presidents
full power and control to remove or ap-
point all such officers. with the advice
and consent OF the Senate Further
more, 1t Is not designed to touch, or In
any way affect, the appointment of COM
mon labOrers employed in the Govern
ment departments or on other public
works all over the country. What's the
use OF putting ahOd carrier through an
examination in physical geography?
Why require spittOOn cleaner to know
the distance to the mOOnp"
Here" continued the Senator, "is a
copy of the report that accompanied the
introduction Of the bill, and 1t puts in
short and clear language the exact scope
Of the biz which is rather too long to
quote In full. This was presented in
the Senate in May, 1882. Here is the
language:
ut is conceded that the party in
power must fill the higher official places,
who fairly represent Its principles and
policy, and subject to whose legal in
Struetions the whole subordinate ad-
mlniRtraGion Is to be carried on. But
the suboFdinates in the Executive de-
partments. whose duty is the same un-
der every administration, should be
selected with sole reference to their
character and their capacity for doing
the public work. The latter class in
eludes nearly all of the vast numbers
Of appointed officials who carry into
effect the orders Of the Executive or
heads OF departments, whether at Wash
ingtOn or elsewhere.
"The provisions of this bill do not ap-
ply TO officers elected by the people, or to
confirmed by the Senate, or to officers of
the army or navy, or Of the judiciary, or
to officers in the pOstoffices or custom
houses, where the number of clerks do
not exceed fifty, or to labOrers. They do
not apply to those officers who may ex-
ercise political power and dictate poll
cies, whose efficient cooperation may
be essential in carrying into effect the
theories or policies of parties.
lu tn hut inn
body of subordinate officials, clerical
and administrative, whose duties, under
every administration, would be the
same, who could not under any ciTeum-
stances, in the proper exercise of their
functions, affect in the slightest degree
the political programme of the party in
power. They apply only to that body
Of inferior officers whose appointment
may, by the terms Of the Constitution,
be vested in the President alone, in the
courts Of law, or the heads Of depart.
ments. They do not apply to any of
this class who are now In office, except
in the case of promotion. All present
ineumbents are left undisturbed until |
their term of Office shall expire OF they
shall be removed.
This bill does not touch the questions
OF tenure of Office, or removals from
Office, except that removals shall not be |
made for refusing to pay political as
sessments or to perform partisan SER
vice. 1t leaves both where 1t finds |
them.
"The single, simple, fundamental, |
pivotal idea of the whole bill is, that !
whenever, hereafter, a new appointment |
or promotion shall be made in the sub
ordinate civil service, in the depart |
ments or larger offices, such appoint |
ment or promotion shall be given to the |
man who is best fitted to discharge % |
duties Of the position, and that such fit |
ness shall be ascertained by open, fair, |
honest, impartial, competitive exami-
nation. The impartiality of these ex
aminatiOns is to be secured by every |
possible safeguard. They are to be |
open 10 all who choose to present them
selves. They will be tests of the fitness
of the applicant for the particular place |
to which he aspires."
Senator, let me ask question" con-
tinued the reporter. You know there |
are some positions in the Departments
at Washington requiring great deal of
techinal information. Those who fill
them are not appointed by the Presi-
dent, and, as a matter Of fact, they
would be classed under your list of sub
ordinate officials. Their long familiari
ty with the higher and judicial grades
of Department routine make their SER
vices of great value. Under the opera
tiOns of your bill, would this class of
officials be retained under Democratic
cohtrolw
Yes" said the Senator, very emphat-
ieally. "Why nOt?" If it should be shown
on examination that they are better fit
ted for discharging the duties than any
and all other applicants the Government
interests require that they should be
kept in place. Your illustration serves
10 show one object of the bill. 1t pro-
Vides for the most efficient and least ex-
pensive administration Of the clerical
branches Of the government; to take
these inferior clerkships out Of the poll
tlcians' hands, make them depend on
merit and capacity, and not subject the
tenure Of offices like these to the whims
and caprices Of political bosses, large or
small.o
There is one practical view of this
subject, which Is Of great Importance"
continued the Senator. A legislator can
not possibly do his duty if his tracks are
forever hOunded.b these Officeseekers.
Gen. Garfield once said 'One-third of the
working hours of Senators and Repre-
sentatiYes is hardly enough to meet the
demands made upon them in reference
to appointments to office People have