The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-01-04
The Mistak Ike OF. Congress.

more of fright than calm reason. 1t is as
sumed that the recent political revolution
was caused by desire on the part OF the
people that some civil service rules, similar
to those of the Pendleton bill, should be
adopted, and jumping at this conclusion,
the Senate has made the question primary,
and given it prominence oyer reforms that
the interests of the people really demand.
1t is scarcely a supposable case, that il civil
service reform had at all entered into the
liberately chosen Democrats to give it prac-
tical application. Upon high plane, it is
the last thing the Democrats would ASK
One OF their cardinal political notionsis ito
the vctors belong tine spoils,' and to accept
spoils party, such as the Democracy has
proven itself to be wherever it has alta ined
power, to carry into effect healthy civil SER
vice ideas. is contradiction of itself. The
mere distribution of the minor offices Of the
government was not feature in the fall
elections, for had such been the case the de-
feat of the Democracy would have been
more pronounced than that administered to
the Republicans. 9
1t was mot Civil Service Reform bill
that was at issue and determined on the
9TH of November last. However desirable
it may be to have more methodical way
of selecting the clerks in the departments
than now exists, and however much relief
such modification would contribute to Con-
gressmen and hea Is of departments, the
question involved was not prom inently
| presented in any State. What the people
did protest against was the prolonged ses-
sion of last year, without such tangible re-
suits, As it was reasonable to expect. A re-
vision of the tariff and the internal revenue
laws, which directly affect the business OF
the country, was what was desired and ex-
peeted. Although Tariff Commissio
was created, as the most practical and feas-
IDLE way of making modification and sys-
tematizing OF the tariff laws, it is well
| known that the press had so distorted
in advance Of its report, that but little was
expected of it. The people were led to believe
that the whole subject had been trified with,
although the act ion OF the Comm ission, as
indicated in its report, has demonstrated
the wisdom of its creation and the sagacity
and industry with which it discharged the
| dut les assigned to it. Adverse criticism,
Independent of facts. had prepared the
people for a failure. They were impressed
with the belief that nothing would be
done, and that the appointment of the
| Commission was only convenient mode
for Congress to evade responsibility. Had
the commissions report been made before
the election and its wise and healthful re.
commentators presented and discussed,
we are inclined to the conclusion that the
result, in many districts. would have been
different. For it is plain enough that the
reforms suggested in the report. contemplate
notifications of the internal revenue laws,
such as no doubt will follow the adoption
of the comm issioh's views of the tariff laws,
modified by timely suggestions in Congress.
These questions directly affect the industrial
relations of the country, and it was the appa.
rent disregard of them that aroused public
Indignation and precipitated Republican
Acknowledgment to rebuke the party in
power more than as ali express ion of con-
fidence in the Democracy.
Influences growing out OF these questions,
supplemented by the reckless extravaganza
in the River and Harbor Bill, and the dis.
gust arising from the factional contests
within the Republican party in several OF
the States, had more to do with the recorded
result in November last than civil service
reform or any other refining sentimental
ity, foreign to the spirit OF our institutions
and the fundamental ideas Of our political
system. The theory. in fact, involved in
this civil service notion, was precisely the
theory that the people condemned. The
broad declaration that the people are capable
OF attending to their own affairs, and that
whenever a few selfish politicians attempt to
prostitute the power of party to their own
selfish ends popular revolt may be expected
When the popular voice orders that party
shall take command of the government, it
with equal emphasis declares that there is
enough virtue and efficiency in that party to
direct its machinery and conduct its inter-
/. ests. Whether one party or the other is
chosen to power. the theory OF our govern.
ment is that the intelligence OF the people
will be sufficient for the change ordered.
Capacity to order and execute lie not exelu-
sively confined to one party. and as often
as the people decree for change that often
should change be made. This has been tie
practice ever since the foundation OF the
government-the unwrtten law OF the na-
tion-and we.doubt very much whether any
transcendental civil service rules. will ever
be strong enough to stand before it. If the
the DRY of our institutions is correct-tha
the people are capable of self-governme nt
not the people who const itute one party
or the other, but the whole people-then it
follows that whichever party may succeed
to power. it will be. able to bring to the
conduct of the government the necessary
intelligence and capacity to take up the
business of the country where the discarded
party left Oft, and carry it forward for the
general welfare, without the Intervention Of
refining notions about civil service reform.
The clamOr aud excitement over civil ser.
vice reform are the result of fright and not OF
courageous craftsmanship. Had The latter
been invoked, it would readily have discov-
cred the cause of the political tornado that
recently swept over the country. and located
| it just where we have located it. The PEG
| pie care very little about the clerkships in
the departments. What they do care about
is legislation directly affecting business in-
terests, such as customs and internal taxes,
and the adopt ion of some system of laws,
which will prevent an animal disturbance
and partial prostration of the industries of
the country and the appropriation of the
moneys drawn from the sweat and toll Of
the country TO legitimate and needed ma
tional purposes. and not to squander them
| on creeks and ponds, to aid third-rate poll
ticians in successfully aspiring to the po-
sit ions which should be filed by real
! statesmen
Congress has mistaken the temper and
| sentiment OF the people in the record it
| ia making on Civil Service reform in civ.