The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-24
fsr,l-Service Reform.

uyh., q cjyil-scrvice reform under the
nrcsent Administration Whercunto snail
we liken ns II is putting the lamb out 10
mo nursed by the wolf. What could be
more preposterous than to expect reform
f,u,t from the tree radicalism: Think Of
reforming The civil service by turning OUT
able. faithful, competent white schooi
trustees and appointing in their places
hoard two-ninths negroes. CAMERON : IT,
form in the civil service Of Virginia Is 4
very good thing whereby to illustrate
ARrucR's reform in the civil service OF the
nation.
We said when the ciyil-Service rules
were first promulgated that MT. Arthur
would so enforce them 1--WE apprehended
That they would become dead letter Dc
fore the Democrats came into power in
1885, Phi we had no idea then that be-
fore these rules had been in print month
. member OF the Cabinet would be ridi-
culing them.
Mr.. DEzENDORr's letter calling for an In
yestigation OF abuses in the Norfolk navy
ward has called forth, as was stated IN the
Dispatch yesterday, letter from VIII
LIAM L. CHANDLER, the Secretary OF the
Nayy-better known as the TOOL OF
Zach. CHANDLER, SIMON CAMERON, and the
rest of the unprincipled politicians who IN
1876 stole the votes OF Florida, Louisiana
South Carolina, and oregon. from Mr. Ill
DEN. In his letter promising an inVcstiSa-
tion Of the frauds and wrongs referred 10
bv Mr.. DEzENDORF, Secretary CHANDLER
ridicules Mr.. DEZENDORF in the following
strain:
..Tbe tone Of that letter which you have
made public indicates that you take very
strong interest in the reformation OF the
nayy-yard at Norfolk. Your long familiar
ity with the yard, as constant candidate
for Congress since 1873, seeking spcclal
support from the voters there employed'
will undoubtly enable you to make man!
suggestions for the suppression OF ABUSES
therein which will be gladly received ana
considered. That you should, although
now for the first time, invite the attention
Of the Department and the public to such
abuses after YOU have ceased TO expect any
personal benefit from the management OF
the ward is most commendable perform
ance of a public duty by private citizen.
Every respectfully,
CIVILIAN L. CHANDLER"
The Worlds Washington correspondent
saws il was understood there that DEZEN-
DoRF had replied TO CHANDLER in long
letter. in which he reiterated the charges
matte in his first letter, and stated that
during the time of his candidacy he never
collected any considerable sums from the
oflice-holders, and that the expenses OF his
campaigns were always borne by himself
and his friends, and were not titlf OF the
sum which MALONE had demanded from
the ofIice-holders in one county alone in the
present campaign. Whether this be true
or not, CHANDLER manifests the most SOW
ereign contempt for civil-service reform.
lie attempts to be exceedingly irOnical and
sarcastic at the expense OF Mr.. deem
DORF, who, however, we predict, will sea-
rify the Secretary.
Here is an officer so high that he is next
to the President OF the United States in
certain sense; and vet he does not hesitate
to deride n gentleman who tries to bring
about much-needed reform in the civil SER
vice OF the country. Thus does CHANDLER
do all he can to bring into disrepute the
act of Congress providing for such reform
a law which it is his sworn duty to execute
faithfully.
Will ARTHUR break with MALONE? we
have been asked. Read CHAMBERS letter
and answer the question. ARTHUR is not
studying how to promote the prosperity of
the country, nor how to improve its civil
service, but is bargaining for votes in the
next National Republican Convention. He
will have in that body the same class Of
votes which SHERMAN had in the last.