Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1883-12-28
REFoRM WITH A VENGEANCE.

REFORM WITH A VENGEANCE.
The present attitude of the representa-
tives Of our Republican friends in the
Upper House of the National Legislature
would be much easier and more graceful
had they not gone to such lengths of ora
tory in hurting civil service platforms,
revised statutes, ~precedents, history and
other things at the Democrats for dis
placing some Republican attaches of the
Senate. They dug too deep for a founda-
ton. The Congressional Record from
1879 to 1881 runs over with their
speeches, in which they declare ~irrevoca-
bly, and most radically for that sort of
civil service reform which accepts moth
ing less than the death Of all PARTISAN
ship.
Senator Bayard, that prince of Demo-
Gratis, on the Goth inst. arose to address
the country on this issue. We can dis
cuss the subject best by quoting some of
his words:
But l wish very much, sir, that while
there is no rule upon the subject, that
which was the unwritten law of this body
and which prevailed for many years,
greatly to the advancement of public
business and to the reputation of the
body, should continue to prevail. In
1879, after an interval of nearly twenty
years, the Democratic party was found
to have o majority of members in this
Chamber. In the twenty years there
had been . most diligent process Of win
moving from out of the public service
every man who could be suspected of
asympathy or utilization with the doctrines
of5l04t party. In the execFtive branch
and al ~ dep4fttfei9ts, insthe House of
Representatives, and here in the Senate,
the same rule had prevailed, and
Democrats were exceedingly scarce hold
ing office of any kind in the executive,
legislative, or judicial departments under
the authority of the United States.
Perhaps it was q natural order of things.
When, therefore, the Senate passed into
their hands, there was a more than
usual demand and pressure that the few
places to which they could by any means
be made successfully eligible should be
filled in some degree by them. / appre-
ciated that feeling, but / did not fully
agree with the majority of my political
brethren in this body on that subject. l
believed, then, that where there had
been able, courteous, honest, efficient
employees Of this body, they ought not to
be discharged because the accident, the
ebb and flow of political power had
brought a majority Of Democrats on this
floor. One result of my efforts and those
of others associated with me was testified
by the retention in the service of the
Senate of a number of amiable and excel
; lent gentlemen, some of whom remain
here yet. There was no such thing as a
''clean sweeps" and the fact remains
before the country undenied and unde-
niable that yesterday morning before
these removals commenced a majority in
number Of the official force of the Senate
were of persons holding opposite political
opinions to the Democrats of the Senate,
and not only a majority in number Of
mere numerical force, but, if you choose
to descend to a still lower particular, 8
majority in the amount Of salaries which
they drew.
ME-. frosluent, 1 Dell0Vo Lnlb IaCt ma
impressed itself upon the mind Of the
thoughtful men of the country. 1t il
not the question of mere pecuniary los!
from u~nfaithful service, not the mere fac
Of having q set of expensive, idle EN-
ployes. That is the least part OF it. Il
is the fact that you are going further and
you are placing the great powers of thi'
country in the hands of a set of mel
who are chosen only in this ofice-hold
ing mandatory of Presidents and Cab
inets. I believe that great truth, tina
profound truth is sinking into the mind
of the people of this country, and there
fore it is that | believe civil service re
form will not be a mere matter of lip
service. but | believe it is to be an essen
tial. I can see its practical results, ant
! believe that the people of this ~countr.
can see its practical results, and tina
they are not in favor of a sytem which
shall make every clerical and ministerial
Office under the Government the mer'
spoil Of party success, to be parceled GU
to the most active partisan, or to tn,
man who shall devote his whole tim
and energies to such business.