The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1883-01-14
SPIRIT OF THE HOUR.


Civil Service Reform very properly began
with the national service, for political parties are
national and the evils Of the spoils system grew
out OF making the oces the rewards OF party service
But the Same reform principle can be applied state
e ana T1na Sr $ s0o hS % rs 1% "ms s
good work. .-BoStoH Herald tfnd.)
The introduction Of competitive examina-
tions win work hardship to any ono, and will re-
quire sacrifice In any quarter except that Of specu
litors In politics. The change can begin without
excitement or shock. Time win he required TO re-
duce the system all the country TO easy practice
But tho more pronounced the position Of the presi-
dent the more ready and the moro complete VIII bo
the success. Mr. Arthur VIII not venture to try to
nuiIfy tho law openly. The danger is that he may
designate weak commission and may extend n half
hearted support to Its members In their labors and
may carry out Its provisions In narrow and not In
large aud courageous way. But the popular demand,
which has placed the law on the statute books can
compel Its enforcement even by MIR Arthur with some
degree OF zeal and comprehensveness. We believe
that tho demand will not slacken.-Utica Herald
tRep)
Congressman Hammond, of Georgia, while
at homo for the Christmas holidays said to friend;
81 am hardly as sangune OF a Democratic victory In
1854 as most Of my party colleagues are. You see,
while the Republicans lost great many votes in the
fall elections, we did not gain them. We carried
New York by an overwhelming majority, not because
recruited party, but because something like
i50 900 New York Republicans didn'tyote. Whether
tney NetO uau enough 10 nave stayed hL nome, VI
so doing they would have elected Democratic Presi
dent Is q question. And, after all, money Is the
political influence In national politics. The Republl-
cans could carry New York now by spending mill
lion dollars II, and they won't hesitate 10 spend
double this much when It Is needed. The Democrats
carry the of year because the Republicans don't
to spend money there. Sill hope the people will
nj least refuse to let corrupt money methods CONTROL
and that we shall carry the country In issi.n
In his recent lecture on the "Spoils Sys-
tenn In Washington, the Rev. Joseph Cook said that
Aaron Burr the father OF the spoils system. lie
was instlgated by the medieval military Idea Of
promising beauty and booty TO the victorious hosts
He thought that II necessary TO animate and
stimulate political parties TO vgor by promising them
the richest results Of victory. a few men should
govern the party army, and the supreme vice
OF voter, OF soldier TO holt from the ranks
OF his comrades In arms, his party. The Spells Sys
TEN In medieval warfare undoubtedly suggested It's
adoption In American politics. Burr was n rival Of
Jefferson, and at the time the evil genius Of
politics. lie lifted himself Into power by the OF
the vicious system. but II did not get Into Federal
politics until later Burr used u In local elections,
| and recommended Its adoption In carrying Presi-
dental and Congressional ones, but II not until
his teachings had filtered through Van Buren to
jackson that their full rultion reached. jackson
came into power at n time when his ruling passion
resentment toward enemies and gratitude to friends
| could he gratifed to Its fullest extent.