The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-01-10
Tuesday. Januar5 10, 1882.
SAYING AND DOING.

] Geo. William Curtis, the able editor o
Harper's Weekly is a leading republican
4 he is also a man honest in his conviction.
and the foremost advocate of civil servic,
reform. In the last number Of Harper:
Weekly, under the above head, he thus
expresses his opinion of President Arthur.
pretentions to civil service reform:
''The attitude of the President toward
reform is to be determined, not BY what he
says, but by what he does. When I'll
message was sent to Congress, we pointed
out the candid way in which the President
acknowledged the existence OF administra-
tive abuses, and considered the merits of
his curious omission of all alusion to the
probation which is an essential part of the
reformed method. We recognized the
frankness of the Presidents declaration
that he would heartily cooperate in en-
| forcing the reformed system, if Congress
should approve it, and praised his recon-
mendation that the original grant for sup
| porting the existing Commission should be
renewed. The sum of the message upon
| this s-bject was this, that while the re-
formers make the passage of the Pendleton
bill by Congress their present objective
point, the President agrees to en-
force it should it be passed.
This is an important fact It is indeed
true, as we suggested, that it may be re
garded as a safe agreement because he
knows that Congress will not pass the BILL
Throwing the entire responsibility of re-
form upon Congress, he may plead its in
action or hostility as his justification for
countenancing the abuses. But neither
would suppose that the country can be de-
ceived by so simple and shallow an artifice
as that, He IS watched by exceedingly i
shrewd observers. There is and can be no |
The Presidents views |
and course upon the subject of reform
hitherto, are perfectly well known. His
party associates are familiar political fig |
ures The methods of election campaigns
which he has conducted are patent. The
only question, upon his accession to the
President of the United States would be
what it had been rs chairman of the Re
publican State Committee of New York
1t was not impossible that the total change
of circumstances might produce some
change of view and general policy.
Such view must be determined, not by
his words, but by his conduct, 1t is I'M
doubtedly true that administrative reform,
to be permanent and effective, must be
based upon public opinion. 1t is not less
true that if the country really desires ii, that
desire win appear in Congress. But it is
true that as it is an Executive re-
form, an Executive sincerely persuaded
OF its necessity can promote it most pow
erfully, both directly and indirectly. The
President can. show his faith by his
works, and by so doing he can profoundly
affect Congress and public opinion.
Admitting, as we do, that to be permanent
,he reform must be approved by public !
opinion, and consequently by Congress, l
yet the power of the President to hasten |
hat approval is immense If he waits /
or Congress to move before he moves. he |
7irtually announces that he either does q
lot comprehend the reform, Or that he /
loes not desire it. Congress certainly i
viii not be influenced by the words of | g
resident whose acts show that he himself t
oes not care for them. IF, for instance, o
e declares that reform would be very L
oed thing, and then appoints officers Is
hose chief distinction is opposition to y