Daily Republican., 1883-01-06
aytvll kSryIcs Ne iOs N.

OWL hOrvIcs Rei Osm.
There was hardly Democratic news
paper In the Country that did not ad-
vocats civil service reform during the
late Campaign and it was tho main top
ic of Democratic stumpers. The ke'
publican press and Republican speak
ore we're divided upon the subject, those
In favor of it being really anxious for
reform, and those opposed to it, while
not being opposed to reform we're not
In q hurry about breaking in upon old
sstsbli shed asagas that existed from the
foundatio of the government to the
present time. Notwithstanding this
difference Of sentiment amongst Repnb'
licaps and the union of Democrats, " hen
the time came to test the question OF
civil service reform, the Democrats
bcoke and nearly all the opposition
as>inst the bill came from Democrats.
On the final passage of the bill one hun
dred Republicans, fifty Democrats and
five Independents and Greenbackers
voted TOR it, and in the negative we're
forty Democrats. only six Republicans
and one Green hacker. Thus the Demo
srsts, who showed a solid iron t for civil
service reform during the late campaign
made sorry showing for it on the tinal
vste-5O affirmative to 40 in the mega
tive. Tho republicans divided during
the late cam paign stood 100 to 6 In ia
vor OF reform when the final test came
The overwhelming majority OF Repub-
licsns voting for the bill is healthy
sign, though 1t may turn out that Their
IL very little Of solid reform in the bill
1t will be difficult even with legal en-
Ailments to break the old habit OF re-
varding the active workers IN politi'
cal party that succeeds without much
regard to quail icAtion The bill, how
over, will do good in deterriEg many
unqualified persons from applying for
an office which they know they have
cot the ability TO I'LL. Even the sem
blsnce or form OF an examination Will
be better than no test whatever
The bill no. goes to the President,
and there Is but little donbt that he
will give it his Off cial sanction. with all
the response bili@ies it places upon him
1t depends entirely upon him whether
the law shall be faithfully carried out.
1t WAS hey ond the power Of Congress to
control the action OF the President II
making his sppoin .ments, and henc'
the advocates Of the reform very prop
erly kept within proper bounds, by
making the bill more advisory than
mandatory. As the case now stands
the President has whatever power ex
lists IL the Constitution for action, will
An unqualified declaration, by an nn
Drscedented vote of both houses, OF The
principles, which, in their judgment
should guide him.
He cannot now, if he were inclined
to do so, plead any wan of Legislative
sanction for the Application OF the re
form in good faith and according Il
we'll defined and practical rutes. |
gives the President ample power to be
-. yb.. syHtED
which has stood with absolute success
the test of experience, not only ID En-
olapd but in the largest Federal Office
in the L nited State.
The law, moreover, places 1t In hi
power, at hi. discretion, gradually bu
surely to sxteud the system until
shall practically include the great bod
Of the civil service Of the Government
II he shall honestly aud judiclousIy Oh
force the bill, which his signature Wi
soon make law, it will be tho word
his administration, by which it vii
live in history, for il will insure thu
abolition of the corrupt and corruptin
relation of patronage to politics, whlc
is thu greatest evil aud danger OF the
day. Should he now perform his duly
rs it is plainly set forth, it will be bel
to bis greater credit because he ha
been known IN the past sincerely an
openly opposed 10 the pr uclpIes of tn
reform, which he IS now called upon t
enforce. Whatever Of reform there /
in the civil service reform bill, it vi
be clearly the duty Of the President
bring it out, and we boti3ve ne Will CIV
the law a + air aud bonest Trial,