The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-05-09
Civil Service Reform.

GIVE SERVICE REFORM as advocated
by Senator PENDLEroH is the true doc.
trine for the Democratic party to es.
pouse In the coming campaign. Senator
PESILYToSs position is, that certain
Federal lorsl Uliicts should be made
elee i've nv the paople. snd others ap
pointed solely on merit The old idea,
",o the victors belong the spoils," is 3
mistaken one. To give a frie, d OF the
party in power an office that he is mol
qnalifie,l 10 perform the duties OF, is ali
imposition upon public business and the
Treasury. To crowd out efficient Clerks
in the Departments to make room for ap.
plican's, OF either patty, wholly unified
by education TO perform the duties, is TO
demoraizs the public service iucslcula-
bly,.
Ats Joint conference of Stslwarts and
Independent Republicans held in Phila.
delphis on the lst inst. they adopted,
among other resolutions, the following,
and recommended their adoption by the
Republican State Convention 10 assem-
BILE on the 10th inst:
| I. That We unequivocally condemn the use
of patronage to promote personal political ends
and require that all officers shall be upon ths
simple basis Of fitness.
| 2. That competent and faithful officers
should not be removed except for cause.
3. That the non-elective minor offices should
be Alled In accordance with rules established
By law. =, .hA
I faithfully olsfisd oH id1Stats and Nations
Convention. and by those holding Office BY the
favor of the party.
3. That we condemn compulsory assessment:
for political purposes and prescription for fail
ure to respond either TO- such assessment or Il
requests for voluntary contributions, and tina
any policy OF political prescription is unius
and calculated to disturb party harmony.
g. That public office constitutes high trus
to be administered solely for the people who's
interest must be paramount 10 those Of person
and parties. and that it should be invariabl
conducted with the same efficiency. econom
and integrity as are expected in the execution
Of private trusts.
Alarmed ct the practice Of their part
10 the past, the Republicans OF Pennsyl
yania recommend the adoption OF tht
principles advocated By Senator Pen
DLEros for years past. Those principle
are fully set forth In :he above resolu
tions, and it behooves the Democrats q
Ohio and other States 10 plant them
selves squarely upon them, else they wi
discover, when too late, that they hav
los, the most effective msans Of appea
ling to the patriotism OF the people, an
winning the confidence Of the waverin
Republicans and n9n.partis4u cit'z'ns.
; The Pennsylvania Republicans has
for years past firmly adhered to tt
"spoils system" but their discernmer
causes them to esp puse the doctrine 81
vocated by Senator PENDLEroN as Ii
correct one for State and National q
fairs. The late election in Philadelph
and In the State, resulted in defeat ft
the Republicans under the old doc rir
OF "spoils" for the victor,. That bait
cry, used so effectually in many n
paigns by the CAMERoxs and their 70
} lowers. ha, lost it's power, and the R
. publican leaders detecting the fervor
the people for genuine Civil Service R
form have boldly changed front in Il
heat Of battle, and proclaimed their co.
version 10 the popular belief. ami, unle'
: the Democrats act promptly and cour,
geously by embodying in their platform
, this year the sentiments contained 10 Il
resolutions given above, their opponen
will regain popular approval, now again
them, and will he succsssful.a at the ele
tons 10 October next. Let US be up ar
doing, fellow Democrats, and not perm
the Republican party 70 win upon pla
form OF principles originated and pr
claimed by the foremost Democrat ar
Statesman OF the times.