The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-11-15
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

c)uutry mas LOT some years past looteu
with establishment upon the condition Ut
the civil service oil the government and has
dem anded its improvement. At every re-
curing election the party in power, and
which was responsible for the corruption
aud miserable service everywhere, prom
ised in most unoquiyocal terms to see that
everything was soon righted, but matters
have const antly been growing from bad to
worse, until it is doubtful il IN any of the
frst.class governments there is such dis
reputable and corrupt civil service. Ap'
pointments are disgracefully devoid
of any recommendations but those
which arise from partisan work.
The departments are run throughout upon
but one principle, and that IS to render
them in even the minutest particular profit
able TO the republican party. When the
various offices are to be filed nobody s
qualifications or character or standing are
for moment considered. A man who
should insist upon or expect to get posi-
ton under the administration upon his
merits alone would be laughed at. What
had he done or what can he do for the party,
is the only question asked. The result is a
terrible condition of affairs in Washington.
Men are thus taught to look upon the public
or the best interests Of the public or their
own personal conduct while in office, with
perfect indifference. There is only one mas.
ter whom they acknowledge or care to please
and that is party" To let such views
and such practices become the common
ones of the land, and too deeply imbedded
in the popular thought and customs of the
country TO be eradicated, would be the
means for tho final destruction of the fabric
OF our government. ltwould soon be to
render the great republic with its millions
of men and money, its tremendous respon-
sbilities and unvarying prosperity and
bright future, but thing to he fought for,
by different organizations of robbers, to be
pillagcd. 1t is undoniable that the 0uaif-
cations for Office and the standards of poit-
zeal morality are much lower now than
ever before known, and that debased and
corroding views have crept NIL through the
civil service. The democratic party has got
back to that point where II can do something
in the way Of reform, and while we
may earnestly desire TO see abuses OF the
tariff corrected and the masses looked af-
ter, the civil service demands immediate
aud patriotic attention. Something higher
than partisan service should be made a
qua iiication for Office in the various depart
ments, more certain tenure than the will
of Il boss should be placed upon govern
ment positions, although minor ones, and
the intelligence and general fitness of the
applicant should govern in appointments.
To allow, as has been done in the campaign
just closed, such men as MALONE to run
the post Office department in the boldest
and most tyrannical manner for his own
selfish ends, is shame upon the nation,
and by all means should be made inn
possible OF recurrence. To talk about
abuses and the necessity for
reform is well, but TO act in the right direc.
ton is better. The democracy must carry
the country in 1881 upon their record and
IA ling to lop olrthe abuses that have grown
up under the long republican rule will GER
tainly defeat them. The country has shown
most pointedly that it will no longer be
triiled with, that IL means in fact, to look
after its best interests and see that the
proper legislation takes place and that poor
legislators be invited to take II back seat,
We, therefore, want TO sec the democrats OF
the iorty-eighth congress taking hold of
the most pressing matters fearlessly and
promptly. The offices of the govern
ment should not be filed by men
in the grasp Of HuBBELL or MALONE or
whose appointment was obtainable by in
fluenco, rather than merit. Some Of our
Texas representatives who have ability aud
perseverance, can, If they will, make repu-
tation and do the nation grand service by
meeting SENATOR PsNpLEroN and other
great democrats, who have made this a
matter of especial regard for years, on equal
ground and pressing affairs TO defiuite
conclusion. 1.-THE democrats do what they
can In the direction, though unsuccessful,
they may depend upon being rewarded for
honest and patriotic endcavors.