The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-01-24

WOutu. III CJupaTatlfe-
ly short time, result in these offices be-
ing divided between the political parties
10 proportion reasonably near to their
vo'ine strength, and after being fairly
established this proportion Would never
be greatly disturbed Would this be
allowing the Republicans "too many"
oiiicesi Ajust man could hardly say
without some qualus of conscience that
it would; and nv anti.reiorm friends, if
the Republicans should remain in pow
er, would n9arlil; agree with him.
This equilibrium wonld be established
sooner than the unreaecling might be
TO believe II the reform
should be established this year, then this
and every succeeding year Democrats
would get share OF the new appoint
ments. If it be deferred until the in
coming Of Dem )cratic ADMINISTRATION
thoroughly imbued with the principle of
reform let US look little to the situation
and results.
1t must not be imagined that alltbese
ninety nine thousand minor offi;ials-.
good, bad, and indifferent-will be sc
curely sheltered under the civil service
regulations, Far, very far, from it -
There are thousands upon thousands Of
these OH ,ia,s who never shoull have
been appointed, and who would be dis
missed as fast as their cases could be
reached. The number of incompetent,
worthless, and dishonest employees OF
the Government is something to amsz
the rural cit'z,n. Mr. would he be less
nazed at the amount Of utter deprav-
ity in the stool which can be protected
by the political infu ence Of the "boss
Two or three examples will illustrate
| know man who ran away from .
Southern State to escape punishment fol
plundering it, came here. squandered hi.
stealings, was put OF the payroll of
Department, confessed to me that hi
appointment was dated back thre
months to give him pocket money, an,
STAYED here drawing pay and doin
nothing else until he got into busines
in the West.
Another, ward-hummer from W.
tern city, spent more of last Sumner i
the calaboose than be spent in his offi,s
aud when out Of Jail got whipped in bal
room hroils about once week, an
made this even by whipping his wife 6
often.
Another who is rarely sober enoug
to receipt for his salary.
Another whose house is reeuls
curiosity shop Of piiferings from tn
Government.
The present system tolerates sue
abuses, and under it thousands Of pro
Ilgates, brutes, and scamps have place
which under a merit system they coul
not retain for q day. The details {
politics are fast coming mere scran
BILE between one set Of b1mmers an
another set of bu miners for spoils. ]
the struggle of brains against brass fc
recognition by political bosses, brair
long ago surrendered uncondtionally,-
Such is the decentralization that the tin
would seem to be near at hand when Il
hummer who commits a crime for b
party need fear no rival for polite
preferment except in the person of Il
hummer who has committed two Grim
for his party-when the man who HI
4 sacrificed leg on the alter Of his cou
try must be kicked out of office to NAL
room for the man who has stuffed ba
lot-box
Under system which permits sut
things The number of incompetent, inc
f1cient, dishonest and dlsrepntable of
, cials must he, ard is. immense. In e
cry Department, in every baresu, in G.
cry division, in every State, and in 6
most every district these classes may
found. When these are weeded out
will be seen that there are vacancies f,
large share Of the deserving applican
under Democratic administration.
l want to do no itj jlstice, and want
mislead no one. There are multitud
of Republicans in these minor plac
who could not be disturbed during the
term OF Office under the reformed sy
tem-and ought not to be. They a
E faithful and efficient. and if they do al
( questionable partisan work it is only
compulsion.
Let no Democrat fondly dream tn
the evils of the present system wou
entirely disappear on the accession
his party to power without the compel
ing force Of law. They are too dee
rooted for that. Besides, man OF mi
die age with an unimpaired memory C:
, recolect that they were not wholly II
known when the Democrats were
power. If they are worse now it
chiefly because political "skuliug gery
is progressive science, and the Repnl
lieans are apt TO improve on any lessor
in that line taught them. The wise thin
to do is not to trust too much 10 fra
human nature, but to remove the temt
tation by removing the power. Th
only safety lies in strangling the evi
J by the strong hand of the law.
Apd now. my dear, Democratic ant
reformer, what is to be the outcome {
continuing this scandalous system p
Does not Che Democrat who opposes il
reformation thereby condone all ,th
abuses practised under it, HAYES nc
torious Louisiana appointments inclu
ded2 Will not the result be to max