The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1883-01-13
Correspondence.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsnlsaroN, D. G., Jan. 6. 1852

and bitter disappointment to a
few scores of congressman who had
prepared speeches on the subject,
aud who now mourn over thor un-
recited eloQu enee. Tho bill is not
what IT should be il is not thor
ough, il does not go to the root Of
the evil, but it attacks its little
branches and twlgs, and let us be
thankful for small fayors until we
are able to demand reform in a more
imporious way Real reform under
an economical Democratic admins
tralion will mean tho reduction by
half of tho force and expense of the
civil service establishment, and II
business, instead Of a political, adj
mlnistraton of the purely business
affairs of the United States. Until
this ideal is reached doetrlnaires
and sentimentalisls will continue to
write, and agitate, and vote, until
the Conklings and Camerons and
Mahones are further eliminated,
and, no matter how grand may be
the contempt of the so called prac.
teal politicians for the doctrinares
and sentimentalists, a reading be-
tween the lines of history will show
that tho latter have had their way
in the long run.
President Arthur will no doubt
sign tho civil service bill, and it will
become a law.
Among the most brilliant sneer-
era at civil service reform is Mr.
Frank Hatton, editor of the Nation
al Republican, and assistant Postmas.
ter General of the United States
His paper makes the prediction that
the commissioners to be appointed
under the bill will "sell and mart"
tho offices for gold, and that add
ton, division, and silence will be
the chief recommendation for place,
rather than the qualifications of
competency and honesty. Now,
since Mr.. Arthur has recommended
the passage of a civil service re-
form bill, and since its measures will
to great extent depend upon the
high office which Mr. Hatton holds
for their faithful application, the
President should remove Mr.. Hat.
ton and give his place 70 some one
more in accord with his policy, with
Congress, and with public senti,
mont. BY so doing the President
would be no moro than consistent
with his recent action in removing
officials in this city for their sympa.
thy with the Star Route thieves.
The CIVIL Service bill has been
the general topic of conversation
among the clerks whom it may aE-
feet throughout the several depart
monts. By some it is claimed that
the provisions of the bill will not be
strictly enforced, even If it should
become law. Others say that the
trainers OF the bill are disappointed
at its success. There are certain
class of employees, however, who
have been in tho public service so
long that they have become utterly
untitled for any other business.
The latter are greatly excited at the
prospect of being thrown out in the
cold world and having their places
filled by college students. Many OF
them say they would prefer to con.
tribute yearly to campaign fund
than be compelled to submit to q
competitive examination.
A communication from the Secre-
tary Of the Navy was yesterday laid
before the Senate, containing recon.
mendations for the construction of a
steel cruiser, OF about 1000 tons dis.
placement, to cost, il is estimated,
81 ,5l6,S54; three steel cruisers of
about $500 tons displacement, to
cost each, estimated 81, O3l ,225 one
iron dispatch boat, or fast clipper OF
about l,200 tons displacement, to
cost, estimated, 100000, and one
cruising torpedo boat, to cost $685..
900.
The first touch of sectionalism
that has disturbed the present SEES.
sion of Congress obtruded itself in
the Senate debate yesterday upon
the Ftz John Porter bill. 1t was
of short duration however, aud did
not provoke the savage taunts, ieers,
and rojoinders which were wont to
mark congressional discussions when
the feeling engcndercd by the rebel.
lion were stirred again into activity.
In fact, the introduction of section.
alism yesterday only served to show
how absolutely dead is that spirit