Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-11-25
THROW OFF THE MASK.

The San Francisco Examiner had better
throw off the mask and wholly pronounce
for the spoils system. 1t already proves
that its ante-election pretense of friendship
for civil service reform was mere sham.
This is what it now has to say:
'What do the Democrats understand civil
service reform to mean?" inquiries local con-
temporary. That is question easily answered.
We understand that, as the abuses and corrup-
tons of the civil service are altogether of Re-
publican growth, fostered and perpetuated for
partisan purposes through many long years of
uninvaded power, it becomes the duty of the
Democratic party, as soon as the new Admins
tration gets fairly underway, in conformity with
the repeatedly declared pledges of the party, to
reform and rehabilitate system that in the
indulgent lapse of time has become so thor
oughly obnoxious and depraved. By accepting
the legacy as they find it, and maintaining 1t as
they know it to be, with all its evil and unsav-
DRY characteristics, the Democracy would virtu-
ally assume responsibility which does not be-
long to them, and which the country is in no
respect inclined to tolerate.
Divested of itsverbiage and partisan SEN
timentality, this simply means: "All the
ms must go out, and our fellows must take
| their places" The Examiner very well
knows that it has evaded the question of
civil service reform, which demands in the
| public service, for all subordinate posi-
tions, competency and character, and a ten
ure based wholly upon continued ability,
industry and honesty. That these quail
iiications, competency and character,
shall lie ascertained facts under system OF
examination prior to appointment. That
appointments shall be made from the class
successful in such examinations. That
neither religion nor party faith shall be
considered in ascertaining the fitness Of an
applicant or in filling place, and that
there shall be removals only for causes an
tagonizing one or more of the original re-
quirements. BY this system men can be
| had to serve the Government of the people
fearless of party hate, and independent d
|
who owes his appointment to party, and
whose retention depends upon partisan
within, cannot serve the Government of the
people faithfully, and however sincere hi
desire may be to do 50, all his interest:
conspire to make him recognize party
bosses first, and duty secondly. The En-
aminer even more briefly than this could
have defined civil service reform. 1t has
failed to do so. Instead, it has dealt ii
some generalities, between the lines O
which is as plainly to be read rs if branded
there with type, mo civil service reform
for US" Let it be us honest as Mr.. Hen
bricks and ont with it once. 1t will com
mand respect as the open enemy Of re
form; but by the use of such transparent
devices as that quoted, it excites contempt
IT is not at all surprising that conserya
| tive Democrats should feel alarmed at the
outlook for the coming Administration
There is reason to believe Governor Cleve
land to be sincerely in favor of carrying
out and charging the civil service reform
measures. 1t is known that Mr.. Hendrick;
is just as bitterly opposed to them, anC
that he is rallyins the radical spoils-seek
ing elements thus early to his side, with
view of commanding the party policy
This must result in split in the party
unles. either Cleveland or Hendricks
yields. That the latter will, no one be
lieves, because, first, he is already candi
date for the Presidency in 1888, and be
cause, secondly, he has just that viciou
courage that will embolden him to take ;
stand against the reform and call to hi
support all the spoilsmen with every
chance in his favor of enrolling the sole
South also. Such a combination woult
beat Cleveland. He is not probably
candidate for reelection; he is understood
to oppose sccond-term ambitions He can
not therefore expect the support of tho
mere oifice-seekers who have nothing te
hope for from him beyond his single term
| All the loose elements Of the party, there
fore, will go over to Hendricks, who will
| Immediately on the formation OF the Cabi
net fling out the banner to the victor
belong the spoils," and under that make q
fight. Governor Cleveland will not yield
his convictions and so will cause a split
| Unfortunately for the cause of civil service
reform, it has not yet reached the hearts
Of the people. Even where accepted, it is
in halfhearted way, 1t really appears
to be in advance of the intelligence of the
masses. Apparently they cannot under
stand why public business should be con-
Quoted upon the principles that obtain in
the private business world. Civil service
reform therefore, has hard battle before
it. 1t is not improbable that it may 90 to
the wall But If it does, it will be but a
temporary defeat, for its basic principles
are those of truth, and they must prevail
or civilization and self-government will
prove failures.
THE Alameda delegation to the Legislature
| have been holding friendly consultation. ire
spectiYe of politics. about the measures that
some of them propose bringing forward during
the coming session. This action is in keeping
with the suggestions of the Appeal, RECORD
| UNION and other journals which have been
urging short and active session of the Legisla-
ture.-I Marysyille Appeal.
| We believe that the REcoRD-UNIoN
was the first to suggest a general consider
alton of matters of legislative moment
prior to the assembling of the Legislature
But no matter about that. 1t is gratifying
to know that county delegations are con
sulting. Yet it is altogether probable these
consultations relate to local matters in the
main. What is needed is consultation on
and digesting of matters of general legis-
ton, by commission Of citizens chosen
from both political parties. Such COM
mission in one week could make clear the
absolute needs of legislation and formu.