New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-16
REEOP1r M1cHLNEPE-

| Some doubt has been expressed by TIE Tab
UNE whether Civil Service Reform by machinery
| would prove satisfactory. Perhaps some eXpla-
nation OF this doubt may be appropriate while
| the subject is under consideration IN Congress.
The bill originally framed by Mr. Eaton and
now known as rhe Pendleton bill has many
excellent features But it possibly relies too
much upon mere machinery for the improve
ment of the public service, aLd might prove
more useful if modified in some particulars.
1t is not easy to frame auy law that cannot be
evaded if the persons set to enforce it aIe also
the persons who most wish to evade it. All
machinery for the competitive examination of
candidates for civil Office, however carefully
devised, is liable to abuse and to evasion when
ever there is strong personal or partisan
motive on the part of the higher officials.
Somewhere IN the service, in spite OF all reg
nlations, the personal integrity ana cOnScen-
tiousness of IA trustee of power must count for
something. If that person is worthy of his
trust be he President, Cabinet officer, Com
missioner or Collector the machinery will be
used for a good purpose; if unworthy, for
bad purpose. No one has p! OpOSed, nor Juld
tins county tolerate for any length OF time,
system that should leave 10 discretion OF power
OF choice to anybody. But in depriylng an
Official of discretion and power Of choice, he is
also deprived Of the sense Of personal response
bility. In proportion rs he can charge all
abuses to tho working of a machine which be
can OF alter, he is very apt to do so, and one
of the strongest motives for efficient and con-
scieutIOus direction is removed
Wien Il man knows that be is personally
responsible ana vi be held responsible, for
the faithful, thorough and courteous discharge
OF all duties III his Office, he has a reputation
at stake and conscience to satisfy. But if he
has 10 real power to select his assistants and
agents, if they are thrust upon HIM bya blind
machine which he can in no way control, if he is
as likely Is not to have a wel-educated knave
pushed into i subordinate place of trust, if
his subordlnates know that he has no power
over them so long as they keep within rules
necessarily broad, and that their promotion
depends upon proficiency in study rather than
efficiency in work, the head Of the office is ex
tremely apt to let the service run itself. II
things 90 i'll he charges it to the system, both
before the public and before his own con-
science. 1t is only fair, he considers, for if
things go well the credit comes, not to him,
but to the system. Human nature being what
it is men cannot be found to fill subordinate
positions of all kinds who comply absolutely
with rules of great strictuess The require
ments must be far below the maximum
efficiency attainable, otherwise men cannot be
had But the inevitable tendency where men !
know that they are safe in their places, and N
gain no advance through the mere gratitude |
aud appreciation of n superior is TO sink all
service toward the minimum of efficiency per-
mssble Men will 10 just well enough to |
keep their places, and, if they want to rise, |
will study books rather than modes of improve
mcnt or economy
These are difficulties, it must be admitted, |
which attach to any system OF machinery, in !
proportion as superiors are deprived of dis
erection and power of choice. Ii, on the other |
hand, sufficient discretionary power is LETT to
secure efficiency and Improvement in the ser
vice, enough is left to enable any man who |
pleases to make the system mere fraud or
farce. Men must be chosen, then, 1t will be
SAID who Will not abuse their power. But will
the selection ever be as careful if the appoint
ing power can throw the blame TO. all bad
results upon the machinery Under cover of
system, responsibility for almost everything
can be- evaded, and neither the appointing
officer nor the public will be half as particular
about the choice OF a man, if it is supposed
that he will have small power and small re-
sponsibilty. 1t does not seem entirely clear
that these difficulties have been avoided by any
pending measure "a completely az possible.
But care in avoiding them now 10 highly I'M