Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-12-12
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9Th, 1873.


One of the perplexing problems which
congress will encounter quite early in its
session is the civil service question.
1t will be remembered that Senator
Pendleton was the father of this measure.
He took it up at time when democratic
chances were so very meagre and discour-
aging that it was felt by the leaders of
that party that something must be done
TO throw odium on the republicans. in
the whole category of political purposes
and schemes there was nothing promising
that the republicans had not advocated or
adopted. Whether they had done this as
a matter of policy or principle was imma-
teral, the vital fact being that they
meant 10 serve the public so well, to meet
all their reasonable grievances so com.
petely, as to leave nothing for the demo
Gratis to use against them. And they had
succeeded as the long line of victorious
elections show. Senator Pendleton, and
other democratic senators thought they
might break this success by getting up
the civil service bill. And it finally
passed, somewhat changed, but enough
like their own, so that they cannot deny
its paternity.
But the question now comes up is it moi
going to plague its inventors seriously
and what is more important unmask Il
hollow pretense on the part of the demo
crats? There are very few republicans
in Washing on, at least, who believe ihn
the democratic party wants civil service
IN pediment to its grasp of the offices il il
wins the next general election. Office
holders believe that if the democrats
succeed they will have to walk out o
office, civil service or no civil service
But until this takes place, if it ever does
consistency with the Pendleton measure
and their platform declarations require
that they should support the civil service
idea with zeal and vigor. The House o
Representatives is democratic. 1t will
have an immediate opportunity to show
its belief in the civil service law b.
making appointments to places in tn
organization of the House through the
means Of competitive examinations. o
course it will not do this. The loaves ant
fishes will he divided IN the good OLE
democratic way. If a republican offica
is retained in the House of Representa-
tives it will be because they cannot ge
along without them. But the republicans
think that this fact will disgust the coun
try with the civil service theories of thu
democrats. They have clamored for it
got their own law, and now the frs
chance they have to show that they really
want civil service system they trampl'
on it completely, and exhibit themselves
in the attitude OF playing game tt
deceive the voters. But however bad th'
taste may be, the democrats are preparing
to take down this political dose wthou
winking. They have waited too long Il
get chance at the government place
and emouments. The Utopia of regular
pay and drinks will be too much for thei
shaky virtue. So it may be set down a.
an assured fact that however the law
reads as to the admission of new men int
the civil service, there wont be any
pretense on the part of the honest democ
racy that got up the civil service law, t,
comply with it themselves Democrat,
don't propose 10 set up as reiormeTs II
this late date. 80 the victors belons
the spoils" they say now AS they di'
under Jackson. The only excuse they
find is that the service law does not apply
to the legislative branch Of the govern
mcnt. The inconsistency of this idea i,
ridiculous. But it is better than no excus'
and 80 It is offered. Nevertheless tn,
appointment of political favorites Il
government offices shows that the demo
Gratis never intend TO be handicapped VIII
Il civil service law. Talking with We
informed democratic politician, he said
concerning The civil service commission
that its days were practically ended Th'
democratic House wi drop out its appro
,priation this winter, and that will end il
he said; VIC do not want to be hampere'
with the question next winter for il nigh
&c an embarrass ment to us Just on ID
verge of presidential election, so W
will kin it off in the simplest VIZ
possible; no appropriations civil Sc
vice. do YOU see? And there is no one
b anne for it.