Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-10
SENATOR PENDLEToN.
His civil Service Reform BiII-what It
Means.

Special Correspondence Of the Register.
WASHINGTON, May 9.-The recent adOp-
ton by a conference OF stalwart aRd inde-
pendent Republicans, in Pennsylvania, of
civil service reform resolutions, and their
recommendation by the representative of
the two factions of the Republican party
in that State to the approaching Republi-
can State Convention, have provoked some
political comment at the national capital,
and have attracted some attention to the
general subject of civil service reform,
and 70 the Pendleton bill relat-
ing TO this subject. The Philadel-
phia resolutions, it is thought were
in obedience to the popular demand, show
ing that the masses Of the people, if not
the pollcianS, are in favor Cf the general
purposes OF the Pendleton bill.
| observe that few Democratic pOlti-
clans, and few Democratic newspapers, in
various parts OF the country are somewhat
unfriendly to the PendletOn bill, and are
disposed to mildly Critizise Senator Pendle-
ton for urging this measure. The sub
stance Of their objection is, that as the Re
publiCanS are in power. the civil service re-
form bill is not a wise political measure,
from a Democratic standpoint. This is
not, OF course, Mr.. Pendleton's view.
He believes that the bill, if enacted
into law. and would promote both the well
fare OF the country and the welfare of his
party. He says that it is the spoilS system
which has kept the Democratic party out
Of power for several years past, and that
the destruction of that system would be the
aunihilation OF the great enemy of the
Democratic party. He believes that his
party can not suffer from the sulfrages of
the people because of having inaugurated
and accomplished a genuine reform in the
administration of the government, nor can
i, suffer for earnestly and sincerely plcdg-
ing itself to reform, which would lead to
greater economy and greater efficiency in
the conduct of the affairs of the govern
ment.
The Senator argues, for example, that
that the people care less who Is postmaster
than iUr the promptneSs and fidelity with
which their letters are delivered TO them;
that the ortice-holdcrs, though numerous,
are comparatively few among fifty millions
OF people, and that outside of the hundred
thousand office holders. the great mass of
the people are interested in good govern
ment rather in the names Of the inferior
officers, clerks, etc, by whom the work of
the government is performed. II has fol-
lowed therefore, that the political classes
the relatively small number of otlice-seek-
erS aud ffice-hOlders-lOok upon the Pen
dleton bill with much less favor than
do the great body of the people OF
the country \ majority OF the
people OF both political parties are anxious
for the improvement OF the civil service.
The Republican party for dozen years has
recognized this fact by putting civil service
reform planks in its national platforms;
but the Republican party in all these years
has only taught the art Of how not to &C
cOmplish the reform of the civil service.
The country has learned to look in vain to
this party for any advance in the scienceof
administration. 1t is Senator PendletOn's
belief that the Democratic party should
take up this business in earnest and unit
ediy: and that by 50 doing would be re-
warded by the public and placed in power
by the Democratic and independent voters
of the country.
In this way the Senator believes that
good thing would be accomplished for the
country and also for the Democratic party.
One hundred thousand copies of Mr..
Pendletons speech in the Senate upon
civil service reform have been circulated
throughout the United States by request OF
civil Service Reform Associations and
Others. and the continued and wide demand
for this speech is regarded as indicative OF
more general interest in this sub
ject than the politicians are inclined
to recognize. The friends Of this reform
are greatly encouraged by this fact, for the
reason that it shows a growing public opin-
ion in favor OF the reform. to which the
representatives of the people will sooner
or later be compelled to respond.
Speaking of Senator Pendleton, take
NLc OpPOA tuuAbS " say NAAat bAc otatcAucntS
l occasionally see in the newspapers, that
he is sitting up o nights and prespir-
ing in the day time in pursuit of the Pres
idency, are not true. To all appearances
no other Senator and no other public man
is doing less than he to secure President.
ial nomination. He Is serenely and faith
fully performing his duties as a
Senator OF the United States No sther
Senator is more constantly in his seat than
Mr. Peudleton; no other more faithful and
painStsking in tbe lsbors in oommittees,