New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-04
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
pPOspEcTs OF LEGISLATION.

WA5UISGrOS. Dec. 3.-NeXt To lax ana laIlH
leqlation chat Civil Service Reform promises to
be the important OF the session, at least IN Its
political bcarngs Probably for the first time dur
ing the eighteen years in which this subject has
been before Congress, q number Of tic leaders OF
thodominant party have begun the session with the
distinct determination that some adequate bill shall
become a law before adjournment This is one OF
tn lessons OF the late elections which scenS to nave
been made 50 clear that even the Congressman VINO
ran AID did not get elected may read. 1t is no5 TO
be inferred that any great degree Of enthusiasm
exists on the subject among the momocrs OF Con-
grcss But there seeI5O be clearer insight into the
nj. d o. TIE time. number Of tn more thought
ful men on the HcpJb size expressed the opinion
during tic lat session that the whole course OF
rOltlcs wa forcing tho question OF civil Service
Reform ho front, and that IT was likely to be the
leaGing issuo ia the campaign OF 1854 Tho growth
Of tins feeling was noticed in TIE tribune CORE
srondrnce at the time. Tie present session marks
another advance Even Cor grcssmen who have no
faith in the proposed methods o. r"Iorm-and many
Of them seem sincere and dsinter,s'ed IN that
y!cw-agreo that prbhc sentiment demands
some action from this Republican Congress
before it d:s-oiye3. This fact will put II IN
ilc power OF leading men who do believe IN tho ne
cc.5ity and the possibility Of Civil service Reform
10 force some measure 'hrouIh Congress. At least
this ia their judg ncnt, and there really seems
p1ound FOR hope that something may DO accom-
plishod.
ltmay be Of some historical interest t. know that
the frs to bring this question before Congress
was Charles sumner, who introduced on april 80
1864 bill to provide fora competitive system OF
examinations in the Civil Service. AZ there no
comm tee that subject he was compelled 70 ask
that the bill lie On the table and be printed In the
IA tIr a
Rhode Island, began the energetic campaign on
this subject which he carried on trough three Con-
grc,srs. He began with motion for the appoint
ment OF special committee in March, 1866 In the
following session, he made his wcll-kG0wn report,
and the bill which he offered was laid on the table.
Since that time the share Of attention which the
subject has received, dcsultoiy as il has usually
been when not conta.n5 tuous, has steadily ill.,
creased.
During the las, session. which has not been re-
gardcd a. much Of n session for reform two bills
were iAtIoiGc in tho Senate On competitive oxam-
ina;ion-, one Of which reported and two bills
were introduced regarding political assessments
In the House there were eight bills and rcso-
luton offered the subjects of appointment,
tenure etc. Eighs amendments 10 the Constitution
offered in the two houses, six of them provld-
ing for the clcctloI of posmlser3 and other officers
by the people and the oihrrs oguIaung appointments
and removals. Besides, Theses there were a number
of bills bearing in lirccty on the subject, such as
those for the relief OF Congress from CLAIMS egsIa-
ton and all lis evils by giving the Court OF Claims
jurisdiction o claims now tried by Congress. One
OF these latter passed the House IN a very emasci-
lated shape merely authorizing Congress 10 refer
claims to the Court Of CLAIMS. jurisdiction OF war
claims was refused 10 the Court soms LEGISLATION
that Will tlac claims olt of Congress Is very neccs-
s.ry. Ii seem, ID crow more dii sult every year to
oft am l,,a.t ,lai., tLrouph Congr.ss Will. the
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