The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-06-02
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

In the Century magazine for june, 4. L.
Godkin, editor of the Nation, considers the
objection 50 often made against civil service
reform, that continuance In Office will create
an aristocracy that will be more unendur-
able than the evils of rotation In office. He
shows that in the early days Of the Republic
when there were no removals from Office ex-
cept for cause, no aristocracy of officeholders
was created or feared. lie holds that the
"insolence Of office" in European countries
results from the fact that the officers are rep
resentatives of an actual aristocracy and
naturally arrogate TO themselves the airs OF
their superiors. No such cause existing In
this country, the result would also be want
Ing. lie also holds that the men who can
consent to serve for lifetime In the MAORI
ty Of offices in this country will not COM
mand great respect from their fellow citizens,
aud that without this respect the creation Of
an aristocracy is impossible. Self-esteem
will not create an aristocracy. There mast
be respect from the great body Of the people.
The question of civil service reform, OF
tenure Of Office, Is becoming more important
every year. The hungry horde of Office
seekers who assail every administration Is In
creasing yearly. The distress occasioned by
the discharge Of many minor officeholders
and clerks, simply for the sake Of change,
Is heartrending. The inefficient service
rendered by public servants who know their
positions are dependent on political infu-
ence and not upon good work Is daily adding
to the cost of running the Government.
The time and talents Of our legislators are
wasted In efforts to secure places for political
friends. Practically, Congressman devote
their services to the interests Of the one
tenth who are seeking Office, leaving the in
terests of the mass Of people to 90 uncared
for.
Many of these evils would be obviated by
making the tenure Of allor nearly all offices
depend upon good conduct and efficiency.
Let the many thousand postmasters In the
country feel that they can hold their posi-
tions as long as they are honest and efficient
and the character of the postal service will
be greatly improved. Relieved of the feel
ing of dependence upon member of Con-
gress for his position, the postmaster will be-
come more responsible to the people and
certainly less liable to assume afistocratic
airs than before. The same principle applies
TO the many clerkships under the Govern
ment, to the numerous consulates scattered
over the world, to nearly all the executive
positions in the various departments.
The business of the Government should
be conducted on business principles. No
employer would expect good services from
an employee who knew that careful work
and prompt attention would have no influ-
ence In keeping him in place. Bankers,
merchants, manufacturers, all would con-
slider 1t the height of folly to conduct bust
nsss OH such plan. Permanently of posi-
ton and fair promotion are the incentives
held out to every youth, whatever his cali
ing, to do good work for his employer. Why
should the Government be deprived of these
influences Why should our Presidents be
made liable to assassination by disappointed
ofice-seeking cranks? Why should our legis-
lators be forced into corruption in exchang-
ing place for votes controlled by the Office
seeker? Why should the national expendi-
lures be increased in order to support igno-
rant men whose only claim to office is q little
political influence? There Is no good reason
why these things should be, and the sooner
a radical reform takes place in this matter
the better 1t will be for all parties. That Ell.
forts in this direction have not been very
successful is no reason why these efforts
should not be continued. No great reform
was ever accomplished without many dis,
couragements, and this Is so necessary to the
future welfare of our country that the good
work should never be given up until suc-
cess crowns the efforts of those who are
working In the cause.