New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-07
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
ALET Err FROM THURLow WEED.


LESSONS FROM RECORDS OF 1HF PAST
To NE Edttor Of me TrtbUne
SIR: When II en- Of sense, like Senator Dawes
bring their minds to bear on the question OF CNh
Service Reform, they discover the difference ne
tween theory and practice. MuddIed pohtlciahs
and journals for the last year or two wasted uine
and paper in demands for utterly impractlcable
Civil Service Reform What Senator Dawes has
written and promises to write is dong much toward
correcting the erroneous impressions left upon the
popular mihd by the theories OF very wei meaning
but very much mist AIKEN writers and speakers All
that has been practically attempted by " COMPETE
tive examinations" simply proves that the New
York Collector and Postmaster relieve themselves
from a heavy tax upon their time and patience oy
Thinning battalions OF Office seekers over to com
petitiSe examinations" where four ont OF every
five questions asked have no relation TO the duties
TO he performed. A highly intelligent and indus
trIous man of irrcprOachabe character lost an ap-
pontment as letter.carrier because he was unable
TO say how many feet above the sea a particular
mountain measured. and on what day OF the month
the CITY of Washington was captured ny the
British. The probability is that Guitcau could
have answered both of those questions. Az any
rate competitive examinations place subordinate
Offices within the reach of those who can answer
the greatest number of idle conundrums the
chances of success being largely in favor OF adven-
turers.
The "CiviI Service Reform" idea was inau-
gurated during General Grants Administration
One Of ITS chef apostles headed commission W
work out this modern political miracle There was
a good deal said, but nothing done. PRESIDENT
HAYES in his letter of acceptance and IN his message
avowed himself an ardent Civil Service Reiormer
In a pleasant and familiar conversation with INN
in this city / ventured 20 assure him that he would
not only find the Civil Service Reform theory I'M
practicable but that he would himself violate IL III
the very first appointment he would make. linen
added in explanation that il this new idea was
sound It would apply with emphasis to the dlplo-
matte service; that MIR. Washburne IN his eiHhU
years residence abroad dischaGgng important
dutIes with eminent success had acquired inioTma'
ton and experience which could not fail IN Inc
iuture to render his continued residence abroad
important to his country. And yet in disregard OF
these considerations Washburne would be recalled
for the purpose of giving the place to a personal
aud political friend reward Tor effective services
rendered in the then recent Presidential canvass.
Mr. Washburnes recall aud Governor Noyess ap-
poiutment confirmed this authorization. While
however, Civil Service was thus stultitod, Gov
ernor Noyts's appointment was in all respects a
proper and credltable one. The next and most
brilliant achievement IA favor OF "Clvl service
Reform" under the Hayes Administration was
conceived and executed IN the belief that a pOlu-
cal regeneration could be effected in this State. Mr..
Cornell the Naval Officer of this Port, asked
TO re,ign the Craftsmanship of the Republican state
COMMITTEES the holding of which brought HIM INTO
conflict with the much-nceded "reiorm OF the
Civil Service. General Arthur. the Collector, was
supposed to he not in sympathy with the CNl
Service Reform policy of the Administration. Mr..
I,,ft from lac Sfqf Ia
mttee as soon a. the meeting of the Stale Conven-
ton Afforded him an opportunity to resign. This,
however, did not satisfy the requirements Of
Civil Strvicc Reform" When the Secretary of
state came to New-York for the purpose of select
ing successors to the Collector and Naval Ohcer. IN
two interviews with that gentleman ] endcavored
70 show that the reasons Tor such removals were
insufficient and would be so regarded concluding
my last conversation with the prediction that one
of these victims OF Civil Service Reform would
he elected Governor of the State and the other
United States Senator. Nj. Cornell was elected
Governor. and General Arthur would have been
chosen United States Senator if he had not been
nominated for ce-President. Again. the resigna-
ton of Mr. butcher as General Appraiser left that
Office vacant. Here was an opportunity by the
promotion of a subordinate appraiser of capacity
and experience of carrying out " Civil Service
Reform principles. But instead of doing that,
Pres dent Hayes again COMPOUNDED his precept by
his example IN tTansplanting Mr.. Howard from
Ohio to New-Yor THIS geutcmars fitness for the
duties of General Appraiser consisted in his having
been n newspaper correspondent and the author of
a campaign Life OF Rutherford B. Hayes" the
Republican candidate for President. Mr. Howard
has punctuated his Ciyll Service Reform principles
by arbitrarily removing experienced, capable and
tIustwOrl hY subOTdInatcs.
LIFE TENURE. AND THE sPOILs SYSTEM
The demand made by Civil Service Rcformers for
life teuules in Office conf cts with the vital plncl-
pies of our form of government. The consdera-
tions and arguments relating to this question,
pending tho adoption of the United States Constitu-
ton in iayor OF limited tenureS for Executive and
Congressional offices, cOGent and clear that
nothing was left for the advocates of life or even
long, tenures to stand on. 1t was thea urged that
all power resided in the people. The stability OF
the Government and the responsibility of repre-
scntatives depended upon frequent elections. so
mnch has been written and said in denuncatiOp OF
the "spois' system that few, if any. are bold
enough ~ attempt a defence of what when prop
erly understood. is entirely deensbc. With
Governor Marcy's explanation fair-minded men
will admit that the "spoils" about which parties
contend Justly belong to the vctQrs." In can
vass for State officers are not tho "spoils awarded
to the vctors y When an election is decided III
favor of Republican candidates Tor Governor Lieu-
tenant Governor Secretary of State, Controller
Treasurer, state Engineer etc, do not these
gentlemen step into the Offices occupied by Demo-
crats7 And in these cases are not the victor"
rewarded with the spoils"9 If this point be con
coded, as it must be, why should candidates for
the subordinate Offices in the same department be
refused their share of the rewards OF victory |?
" Rotation in Office" was formerly doctrine
avowed and acquiesccd in by both parties. In
earlier days the first political lesson impressed
upon the Youthful mind was that every American
clcctor was eligible and might aspire to all the
Offices OF honor ynd profit under the Government