Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-30
8ailp 9n,nsbse Journal.
Augusta. Thursday Morning, August 80.
Civil Service Reform.

cratic party in favor of civil service re-
form were sincere was never very large
and will very soon be smaller. As
more light is let upon the real SEN
timents of the party the clearer it is
seen that the leaders regard the subject
as a humbug. In speech made last week
in Ohio, General Durbin Ward. one of the
leading democrats Of that State, devoted
considerable time to an exposition of the
attitude of his party upon the question.
In that speech he said: The first and
Essential step in Civil Service Reform,
lis to muster out of service these disci-
"plined cohorts of republican power and
put in their places democratic, honest and
competent SUCCESSORS" 1.-The party in
''power is the Government. and should be
"held 10 full responsibility for every
"detail. 1t ought, therefore, to Sc
elect its own agents and not be
"allowed to escape accountability on
1.-THE ground that some Of its agents are
"not chosen by itself" And again, after
urging that the best reform of the civil
service would be 10 relieve the President
of most of the appointing power and dis
tribute it among the heads Of departments,
chiefs Of bureaus, ETC., who should be held
responsible. he says: when the chiefs
Ego out let their dependents 90 out
"too. OF course trained men in the
''several departments must be retained
'.to instruct their successors, but let the
''body of the civil service give place to
''new men gradually and circumspectly
''selected from the democratic ranks -
In these utterances General Ward I'M
doubtedly represents the real sentiments
of his party.
And this is all that democratic talk
about civil service reform amounts to /;
only to turn republicans out of office and
give their places to democrats, practical
re-asserton Of the old democratic maxim.
ITO the yictors belong the spoils." As
they approach the Presidential election the
leaders find it necessary TO declare their
faith in the old doctrine in order
to reassure their followers that if they
shall elect a democratic President in 1884,
republican otlice-holders shall be turned
out 10 the last man and democrats shall
20 in until every position under the gov
eminent is filled with them. A farther
proof of democratic opposition to civil ser
vice reform is shown in the fact that Sen
ator Pendleton of Ohio. the author of the
civil service bill passed by Congress I'M
der which reforms are now being prose.
cuted by republican administration, has
lost caste in the democratic party by his
support of the reform and will
probably on that/account fail of a
reelection to the Senate at the expiration
OF his present term. His democratic
brethren reject his work and will lay him
aside at the first opportunity.
As il is in Ohio, so it is in every State
with the democracy regarding the question
OF civil service reform. They are opposed
to any practical reform. believing rs fully
as Andrew Jackson and his immediate
followers that the offices belong to the
victors. and the vanquished should be
turned out of place without favor or
mercy or considerations of what the good
Of the country or the civil service may
require.
The soldiers reunion in this city yester-
day brought together large number OF
the men to whose valor the government
is indebted for its existence. As they
marched through our streets to the music
OF fife and drum they attracted large at
tention. They were a remarkably fine
looking body of men. strong and stalwart,
most of them beginning to show grey
hairs. but erect and vigorous. bronzed in
the summers sun, wearing modestly upon
their breasts the badge of honor which
distinguished them. Though the army
that bore the Union safely upon its shout
ers was not without its mercenaries,
cravens and weaklngs. the men that
enlisted from the State of Maine
were chiefly of good. honest stock. the
flower of our youth. men who fought tor
principle as well as honor. Those who
were spared in the deadly struggle upon
the battle field and are still living are fill
ing as dutifully and bravely their places in
civil life as they filled them in the ranks
of war. Long may they be spared to en-.
JOY the blessings they fought for. and a
grateful people never forget to honor
them for their sacrifices in behalf of our
common country.
The legislature met last evening and
after accepting the new revision of the
statutes adjourned. If ane door had been
opened for other business the session
would have been prolonged several days
The meeting of the members was a very
pleasant occasion. We trust those who
go upon the excursion to-day will have an
interesting time. .
Open Letter to the Argus
CIrr MARSHAL WuIrg NAILS FALsEuoor