National Republican., 1883-10-19

is a steady current of fresh blood flowing in,
90 that the whole body is kept in healthy
condition. No complaint Is heard that the
business of the government and people Is
indilforeutly performed, or that the service is
incapable, inefficient, or corrupt. On tho con-
trary, tho testimony of persons who have
become familiar with the workings of the
departments, from actual observation, will
be that tho service is honest, capable and
efficient II may BIO safely stated that if the
departments were subjected to rigid ox-
animation with Wow of removing all
those who by reason of age
or other disqualification or mental
incapacity, should be considered inefficient,
less than 8 per cent Of the whole number
would be found thus wanting; and of these
large number would be disqualified only on
account of advancing ago and infrmities.
The civil service act, and the rules made
Hereunder, do not in terms provide for o life
tenure of the clerical force of the govern
mont; but many Of the most intelligent per-
sons connected with the civil service reform
movement favor tenure during good beha-
vior which is practically the equivalent of..a
life tenure. Tho adoption of such propo-
sition l sincerely believe would be inconsis-
tent with the principles of our republican form
of government, and contrary to the senti-
ment of the people. 1t would create priv
ileged class removed from the influence of
popular thought and feeling, which in this
country is q constantly operating force fav-
orable to honest and efficient administration.
1t would repress tho laudable ambition of
other citizens to serve the government lin
official capacities, and would manifestly tond
to weaken that personal interest in the affairs
of government which it is the policy of our
country to foster in tho minds of its citizens.
The highest type of civil administration, in
my judgment, can much bettor be attained
by giving increased certainty to tho tenure
by which offices. arc held, while at the same
time leaving them within easy control of
public sentiment, so that tho whole official
body can be kept abreast of the progressive
opinions of the people. 1t seems to me it
would bo great Improvement in the existing
civil service law TO add to tho probationary
system the principle of appointment for n
fixed term, say of four years, the appointee
at the end of that time to be eligible for re-
appointment, and at all times during the
period for which he isappointed to be subject
to removal only for such causes rs may be
prescribed by law.
A serious question which always confronts
heads Of departments and bureaus Is the dis
position to be made Of the persons who have
served the government faithfully for many
years, but who, from the natural infrmities
accompanying old ago, are rendered incapable
Of the proper performance of their duties. As
o rule, these persons have been unable, from
their meager salaries. to lay up a sufficient
sum for their support in their declining
years, and they arc no longer competent to
undertake the duties of active private life.
The service is now suffering to
some extent from the presence
of this blameless but inefficient ele-
ment. 1t is obvious that the evil would in
time, be greatly aggravated by the uncondi-
tional acceptance of the doctrine of tenure
during good behavior, for 1T is not misbeha-
vior for man to grow old during the faith
full performance of his duties in office. The
question arises whether, under such system,
there would not soon grow up o cry for civil
pension list for retired officers. The senti-
ment of the country is now Enthusiastically
adverse to the adoption of such a system, and
it Is equally clear that it would not tend to
the Improvement or elevation of the
public service. The exigences of the
service, however, demand that some suit
able provision be made for the retirement
of these aged persons in manner which shall
give recognition to the value of their past
services, and at the same time enable them to
retain their respect for the government and
their own self respect. The suggestion is
therefore made whether it would not be wise
to establish for such long serving and faithful
officers system of retiring pay-not con
tinuous pension, but, Communication to be
paid in lump, on retirement, graded according
to length of service and rate of salary.
believe it will be found to be serious OBJ
lection to the system of appointments and
promotions established under the new law,
that heads of fburcaus, who are specially inter-
ested in tho successful workings of their
offices, and heads of departments who are in
trusted by the constitution and laws with the
appointing power. are restricted in recon-
mending and making appointments and pro-
motions to the four names presented by the
commission. Though they may have in
view person especially adapted for the
duties of the position to be filled, they
cannot appoint or promote him to the place
unless he happens to be one of the persons
selected by the commission. l am satisfied
that, if the present efficiency of the service is
to be maintained, il will be found necessary
to relax this intleXible rule.
There are other subjects connected with
tho administration of the executive branch
of the government which deserve attention.
l think that, as far as it can be done con-
sistently with the interests of the service, the
number of persons to be employed and the
salaries to be paid them should be fixed by
law. At present, in the customs and internal
revenue districts, the number Of persons to
be employed, other than collectors and other
officers appointed by the president and the
compensation to be paid them, are largely left
| tothe discretion of the secretary of the treas
ury. 1t would seem that these employees might
be graded as in the departments ut Washington
and their salaries fixed by law. Tho adop-
tion of such O measure would relieve the
collectors and the secretary of the treasury
from the unpleasant and onerous duty of fix
ing the salaries of % very large number of
their subordinates, and from the pressure
now constantly brought to bear upon thom
for an increase of the same.
The most important field, however, in my
judgement, for legislative and administrative
reform is in connection with the adminiStra-
tion of tho Offices of United States district
attorneys, marshals, and commissioners.
These officers are paid by fees. While the
maximum fees of district attorneys and mar
shals are fixed by law and tho orders of the
attorney general, the amount actually re-
ceived is contingent upon the institution and
prosecution of cases in court. The district at
torney is made the judge Of the propriety of
commencing criminal proceedings against a
citizen, when out of those proceedings fees
will accrue both to the district attorney and
tho marshal, whether the person accused be
guilty or innocent. These officers may prefer
complaints against citizens for trivial or un-
| Intentional violations of revenue laws, may
cause their arrest and examination before a
| United States commissioner; and district at
torney, marshal, deputy marshals, guards,
witnesses, and United States commissioners
will all receive their fees or expenses out OF
the treasury of the United States even though
the persons arrested should be promptly de-
clared innocent and discharged. II Is not in
human nature that such n system can con-
| tinue without abuses growing up. Even in
we'll ordered communities il is productive OF q
most wastoful and unnecessary expenditure
of the public money. In new and remote
settlements the practice has resulted ingraVe