The Portland daily press., 1882-09-07
THE MAINE CAMPAIGN.
Ex-secretary Blaine at Winterport
HIS IDEAS ON CIVIL SERVICE REFORM

BANGOR, Sept. 6.-Mr. Blaine in the course OF
his speech before mass meeting at Winterport
this afternoon referred to the question OF civil ser
vice reform, defending the Republican appoint
ments in Maine, as having always been IN accord
ance with priacipies thereof. He further sald: Il
am not by this recital of facts, denying that the
civil service Of the whole country may be improved;
am only asserting that in part of the national
vineyard we have endeayored to do well, and have
succeeded.
There are many reforms which l should be glad to
see and which have for many years believed IN.
should be glad to see every federal officer however
honorable appointed for specific period, during
which he could not be removed except for cause
which should be specified, proved and made mat
ter of record. should be glad also to see the term
of all subordinate officers made longer at least than
Presidential term, so that the incoming of a new
administration should rot be harrassed, annoyed,
crippled and injured by the distribution Of offices.
Seven years would be good length of term and
would effect the desired end. 1t would break joints
with the Presidential term and would avoid the evil
OF which l have spoken.
There are great many honest advocates OF re-
form in the civil service who believe in life
tenure for all subordinate officials. have never
been able TO persuade myself that this would De
wise even if practicable and am quite sure that 1t
is not practicable. Life tenure means pension IN
the end to the incumbent and with a hundred
thousand Office holders this would impose an in
tolerable burden on the tax payers. 1t would ere
ate what might be termed privileged class which
Is always snre in ths end to prove unpopular and
odious in the eyes Of the people. Nor do believe
it was ever demonstrated that life tenures insures
the best, most faithful and most honorable service
in
tho years of his active life, but believe he will be
better officer if his commission shall expire at stat
ed periods and his efficiency shah be his claim of re-
appointnent and continuance in our administration
of State and county Office.
This is frequently illustrated The gentleman
who has practical charge of the treasury Of Maine
has been his position fsr foryone years, his ap-
pontment being annually renewed in recognition OF
his ability aud fidelity. Even with his strict integ
rity do not doubt that he has been more careful
officer than if he had been originally appointed for
life or for term of forty-one years.
In the county of my residence we elected the
same man treasurer, annually, for thirty-three
years. He was better officer than though he had
been originally chosen to for the full genera
ton during which he honorably discharged every
duty. | believe therefore, from such instances as
these and many others which could name, that 1t
will prove far easier task to educate public opi1r
ion to renewal of appointment to efficient and val
able officers with sufficient salaries to enable them
to lay by something for rainy day. than il will be
to get popular consent to life tenure with PEN
sion 10 large civil list, constantly growing in mum
ber and amount and constantly provoking opposl-
ton in the popular mind.
Every State, L think, except Massachusetts, has
abolished the life tenure. even for the Judiciary and