Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-12-07
NO. 40.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

The communication which made to congress
at Is first resSion, in December last had a some
what fnn statement of my sentiments in relation
to the principles and rules which ought to gov
srn appointments to public service. Referring to
the various plans which Heretofore had been
subjected to discussion in the national
legislature, plans which were in the main
modelled upsn the system which has obtained in
Great Britain, but which lacked Ger tain promi-
nent features by which that system i distin-
guished, l felt bound to intimate my doubts
whether they or any of them would afford an
adequate remedy fer the evils which they aimed
to create. l declared, nevertheless, that il this
proposed measure should prove acceptable to
congress they would receive the executive sigma
ture TO the suggestions submitted for your con
sideration. There has been no legislation upon
the subject to which they relate, but
there has, in the meantime been an
increase in the public talk on that subject,
and the people of the country, apparently with
out distinction or party, have varisus ways
and upon frequent occasions, given expressions 10
their earnest wish for prompt and definite action
la my judgment such action should no longer bc
postponed. may add that my own sense of it.
pressing Importance has been quickened by oh
servation in q practical phase of the matter to
which attention has more than once been called
by my predecessor. Tho civil list now comprises
about one hundred thousand persons, the larger
part of WhoIa must under the terms of the con
rectly or through his own appontees.
LIN the early years OF the administration Of the
government the personal direction of appoint
ments in the civil service may not have been an
irksome task for the executive but now that the
burden has increased fully hundred-fold it has
become greater than he eught to bear, and it
necessarily diverts his time aud attention from
the proper discharge Of other duties no less cell
cate and responsible, and which in the very ma
ture of things, cannot be delegated to other
hands. In the judgment of not few who have
given study and reflection to this matter, the ma
ton has outgrown the provisions which tho consti
tuition has established tor ling the minor offices 10
the public service. But whatever may be thought
OF the wisdom or eXPediency of changing the fur
damen al law in this regard, 1t is certain tha
much relief may be afforded, not only to the
president and 70 the heads Of the departments,
but to senators and presentatives in congress by
discreet legislation. They weuld be protected in
a great measure by The bill now pending before
the senate, or by any other which should en-
body Its important features, from'the pressure of
personal importantly and from the labor of cx-
amining conflicting claims and pretentions of candi-
dates. trust that before the close of the present
session some decisive action may be taken for the
correction of bills which inherit TIE prescn-
methods of appointment, and / assure you Of
my hearty cooperation in any measures which
are likely to conduce to that end. As to the
most appropriate term and tenor of the official
subordinate employees of the government 1t seems
to be generally agreed that whatever their ex-
tent or character, the one should be definite and
the other stable and that neither should be regu-
lated by the zeal in the service of the party or f.
deity to the fortunes of an individual.
IL matters little to the people at large wha
competent person is at the head of this depart
ment o. that bureau if they feel assured that
the removal of one and the accession of another
will not involve the retirement of honet5 and
faithful subordinates whose duties are purely
administrative and have no legitimate connection
with the triumph of any political party fac
toI. is to this latter calss of officers that the
senate bill to which we have already re-
felTed exclusively applies, while neithe. that
bill nor any other prominent scheme for
improving the civil service concerns The
higher grade officers who ere
appointed sy the president and confirmed by the
senate.