The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-05-10
Civn service Reform.


Just before each Presidential election, the
Republican politicians and editors are in
the habit of promising all manner of civil
service reform, in case their party should
not be kicked out. These promises to make
political status of secondary consideration
TO capability and honesty, are never carried
out. Mr.. Hatton, of the Postofficc Depart
ment, says that civil service re-
form is played out entirely.
man, 1T would be impossible for him to de-
viate from the truth, even If he were to
make an heroic effort to shake off his old
habit of stating as true nothing bat what he
knows to be so. But in this instance we are
not called upon 70 rely entirely on Hatton's
acquired yeneration for the truth. There
are numerous and disgraceful illustrations
that go to show the only passport to Office az
Washington is a very stalwart record, COM
bined with an ability, and also willing
ness on the part of the applicant. to render
| President Arthur efficient service in 1884
Grant and Conkling are now in charge. OF
the machine, of which Arthur is a very Or
namental figurehead. Only a week or so
ago a newspaper man name d Dawson, who
accompanied and wrote up Grant in his
cumming tours around the world, was made
stenographer of the Senate in place OF man
the only objections to whom were that he
was Democrat and understood his profe s.
sion. Grants friend proved to be utterly
incompetent and another stenOgrapher
had to be substituted We cite this merely
to show how the Republican leaders are car
rying out the civil service reform plank Of
their platform. They are carrying IL out
with a vengeance.
There is nothing new in this line of policy
at all. There is stale and ancient legend,
to the effect that on one occasion the devil
| got sick, fIom causes not given, but posi-
bly, he was Frustrated by the heat. Al
though all the doctors in the
village were called, notwithstanding
prayers were offered up in the Churches,
bad as he was before, the devil gradually
grew worse, until little or no hopes of dia
bolical improvement were entertained. Just
at this crisis. it occurred tothe distinguished
invalid that he had better push his reform
measures, if they were to pass before adj
| jOurnment or in the language of the poet,
"when the devil got sick
The devil saint wOulG be-"
Contrary to the hopes of his best friends
he began to mend, thanks to either his TEN
perate and virtuous life, or TO che prayers o.
the faithful, or TO the efforts of medica
science. As soon as the devil began TO be
little better, he dismissed his good resolu
tons. or, in the quaint language of toe
poet,
''When the devil got well
The devil saint was he"
Just so is il with civil service reform
Whenever there is danger of a change o
administration, we have the reform prom
ises, which are broken as soon as the DANCE
is over That is what they are made for
Or, changing the smile, Arthur remiDd
one of the landlord whose guests com
planned of finding hair in the soup. He ex
amined the hair and remarked: THAT il
all right. That is one of my cooks hairs
but he is very clearly in her habits.
When an incompetent man is appointed tC
Office, Arthur says: That's one Of Grant
friends. Grant is very proper person
there is nothing wrong in that appoint
! ,npnt -