Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-08
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Substance Ofthe Report Adverse to Re
pealing the Civil Service Laws.

WASHINGTON, June THE House
Committee on Civil Service Reform in re-
porting back adversely to-day the bills to
repeal the civil service laws says;
"The committee have diligently investi-
gated the workings of the commission ap-
pointed to execute the law and heartily
recommend it for an intelligent and
efficient administration of an important
branch of the executive power. Since
the foundation of our government the gen.
eral public mind, interested in an honest,
intelligent and economical administration
of public affairs, has been deeply con-
cerned with the developments of its more
than political phases growing out OF the
distribution of patronage in the selection
of proper persons TO fill the official posi-
tions designated by law to conduct its va
ried operations. Earnest efforts have
been made from time to time by our
leading statesmen and publicists to
cOntine within the bounds of patriotism
and loyalty all party action in this direc-
ti0n and reduce to minimum the corrupt
exercise of this power by whatever party
organization for the time being shall con-
troll the several executive branches of the
government, and at the same time to
secure the maximum Of honest and faith
tul service in the discharge OF the sacred
duties imposed by such high public trusts.
The evils of the corrupt exercise of
this power of official designation
have placed the leaders Of all
the parties of to-day in an
attitude cOndemnat0ry of mere partisan
system, tiuctuating with the success or
defeat of a party, growing out Of the
quadrennial contests fixed by the COnsti-
tuition. Grave complaints have been just
lv made against nearly every administra-
zion of the government by reason Of these
practices of the several political parties
in the distribution of official patronage,
until they have grown to be designated as
the 'spoils' system, and offices of trust
and responsibility adjudged to be the
ripened fruits of party success,
rendering these appointments to
office the subject of factiOnal
contests, introducing principles of in
trigue and corruption to govern and con-
troll their selection instead of efficiency,
honesty, and good behavior of a public
official. Since the organization
of the Civil Service Commission great good
has been accomplished in many direc-
tiOns, and a better feeling pervades the
dominant public sentiment on the subject
of reform in the civil service, inspiring
hope that at no distant day the benefit of
similar laws may extend throughout the
several States, and by harmony and homo
geneOusness of sentiment and action
much of that which now contributes to
the bitterness of political. contests, and
the scandal of our free institutions, shall
be forever eliminated and destroyed in
the States and nation. Your committee
being entirely satisfied with the thorough,
conscientious and non-partlsan work of
the Civil Service Commission,
are justified in the belief
that its continuance viii aid in large
degree in eradicating the prevalent evils
of the civil service of the government,
remove just complaint and restore public
confidence in the work performed by these
subordinate officials, and can see no wis
dom in the proposed repeal in the law.
Your committee unanimously recommend
an adverse repOrt.o