The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-06-10
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.


of the Act.
WASHINGTON, June 7.-Mr. Hobitzell of Mary
land. from the Committee on Reform in the Civil
Service, reported to-day adversely bills to repeal
the civil service act, and they were laid on the
table. The report accompanying the bills says:
The committee has diligently investigated the work
ing of the commission appointed to execute the
law, and heartily nds it for the intelligent
and efficient administration of the important
branch of executive power. Since the foundation
Of our Government the general public mind, in an
honest, intelligent and economical administration
of public affairs, has been deeply concerned with
the development of its political phases grow
ing out of the distribution of patronage in the So
lection of proper persons to fill the official positions
designated by law to conduct its varied operations.
Earnest efforts have been made from time to time
by our leading statesmen and publcists to con1ine
within the bounds OF patriotism and loyalty all par
ty action in this direction, to reduce to minimum
the corrupt exercise OF this power BY Whatever par
ty organization for the time being shall control the
several executive branches of the Government and
at the same time to secure the maximum of honest
and faithful service in the dschar ge of the sacred
duties imposed by such high public trusts. The
designation have placed the leaders of all parties of
to-day in an attitude comdemnatory of mere
partisan system, fuctusting with the success or
defeat of party growing out of the cuadrenn ial
contests fixed by the Constitution Grave COM
plants have been made against nearly every
practices Of several political parties in the distribu
ton OF official patronage until they have grown to
be designated las the spoils system and the offices of
trust and responsibility adudged to be the rpened
fruits OF party success, rendering these appoint
ments to office the subject of factional contest in
Producing the principles of intrigue and corruption
to govern and control their selection instead of the
efficiency honesty and good behavior of the public
official. Since the organization of the civil service
commission great good has been accomplished in
many directions, and better feeling pervades the
dominant public sentiment on the subject of reform
in the civil service inspiring the hope that at no
distant day the benefits of similar laws may extend
throughout the several States, and, by harmony
and homogeneousness of sentiment and action
much of that which now contributes to the bitter
ness of political contests and the scandal of our free
institutions shall be forever eliminated and destroy
ed, State and National. Your committee, entirely
satisfied with the thorough, conscientious and nom
partisan work of the civil commission are jus titled
In the belief that its continuance will aid to large
degree in graduating the prevalent evils of the civil
service of the government, remove Just complaint
and restore public confidence in the work perform
ed by these subordinate officials, and can see no
wisdom in the proposed repeal Of the law. Your
committee unanimously recommend an adverse re-