Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-01-25
THE sPolLs sYsTEM
Joseph Cook Frssly bIssasiss IL.
Peckst ia Politics. -
HIGHER Criticism Of the Old Tsstsmsat
Summsrized-Ihe leetufs
Gires His Own
Opinion.
THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM BILL,

Bcsros, January M-rrenont Temple
was flled to overaovins b. On attentive
audience, gathered 10 hear Mr.. Joseph
Cooks third lecture on Advanced Thought
in German Theology" After brief invo-
cation, he began on he topic Of his pre-
lude, which was The Spoils systcm; OF.
the Pocket In Politica" He aid 10 sub
stance: Civil service reform In the Unitsd
States Is success as yet onlp on paper, 81.
cept in the city of Brooklyn, whore twelve
aldermen have recently been putin jail for
contempt Of court, and mayor was slsstsa
who is making an effort to conduct tAe.,
Government on business principles: he hss
on unusually large power, and u held 70
maryellously close responsibility. That
city 10 attempting. 10 solve z problem Of
really worldwide interest," The statement
authority that one or two members OF the
city council OF Boston cannot read or writs.
There are directed against ~ the sneers
Of the aIistocrats Of foreign soun-
tries because our form OF eotern.
ment Il always failure In the great cities.
Difficulties with corrupt municipal govern
ments are becoming very common. We are
solving the question OF civil service 70.
form in its national aspect but NO have
yet to apply 1t TO State and municipal al
fairs. II Is necessary TO discuss what hu
been done and ask what further must DO
done. Let the world be the background sf
the subject. believe that We are a. hon.
est people as there Is on the face Of the
earth, but
We Arc Nero Tempted.
In 1901 there were 900 office holders In
this country-now there are more than
loo, 600; the Republican party has moro
than llO, 900 appointed Offices at Its disposal.
We cannot expect 10 tie with mere twins
this immense grab.bag, extending over this
entire continent and holding within moro
than 81, 600 900. In Boston the question Is,
YOU written q bookY' In Chicago, "How
much are YOU worthg' In 6an Francisco,
"Who owns you, the railroads or the sand
lots ?" and IN Washington, "Are you likely
to be re-elsctedT This qusstion 10
closely connected with this subject Of ~.
form, for the people have spoken, and
many Congressmsn, afraid that they
could not answer the question In tbs
Affirmative, are recorded ON the side OF re-
form. The .poils system Is the applica;
the middle aees, when q secret conciavs
exists and one or two men are leaders,
and the hope Of plunder, loot and beauty
10 the incentive TO the soldier IN light, his
only alternative being desertisn. THIS
principle was first applied 10 politics In this
country by Aaron Burr. As In the army,
20 in politics, secret conclaves are held,
and Q few men attempt 70 control tho
whole. Al In the army the supreme
preme crime on the part OF the voter 10
boiling. To-day booty and loot have be.
come OF colossal proportions In our
country.
Our Congress has recently passed Nc
civil service bill, but this only reaches by
examination 80, 900 OF tho office holders; all
OF the rest are booty yet. do not intend
10 assail this bill a. anything less than the
best that could be carried through Congress
at present; but Il Is time 10 raise the voice
Of predictivc warming that, even u tho act
the grab bag, but will leave the entrance
two'thirds open. Who expects II 10 be car.
ried out In good faith unless the people
rise and thunder for Il at the polls' ]
happen 10 know that more than score of
those who voted for IL are
Basded Together
TO defeat Il In It's practical application;
they have boasted that when the time
comes they will drive q coach and four
through IT, want the hand Of the people
TO be placed upon the reins OF that coach
and four, with the warning 70 the driver
that no such set will be permitted by them.
The last election was apparently triumph
OF the people over party and the political
machine the dictates OF secret conclave. !
am proud thst only indepcnden aud San
day school politics are found 70 be good for
anything through q course Of four years.
In this bill there are four great words, ex.