Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-07-10
Mr.. Blaine On Reform.

Mr.. Blaine is on public record in ia
vOr of civil service reform. In discuss
ing this topic before an audience at
Winterport, Mr.. Blaine said
There are many reforms which should
be glad to see, and which have for many
years believed in. | should be glad to
see every federal officer, however hon.
orable, appointed for specific period,
during which he could not be removed
except for cause, which cause should be
specified, proved and made matter of
record, should be glad also to see
the tenure of all subordinate officers
made longer at least than 4 Presidential
term, SO that the incoming of a new adj
ministration should not be harrassed,
annoyed, crippled and injured by the
distribution of offices. Seven years
would be good length of term, and
would effect the desired end. 1t would
break joints with the Presidential term,
have spoken, There are great many
honest advocates of reform in the civil
service who believe in a life tenure for
all subordinate officials. / have never
been able to persuade myself that this
would be wise, even if practicable, and
l am quite sure that it is not practical
BILE. Life tenure means pension in
the end to the incumbent, and with
hundred thousand officeholders this
would impose an intOlerable burden
on the tax payer. 1t would create
what might be termed privileged
class, which is always sure in the end
to prove unpopular and odious in the
eyes of the people. Nor do l believe
it was ever demonstrated that life tenure
insures the best, most faithful and most
honorable service. 1t may often be
wise to retain man in Office for all the
years of his active life, but believe he
will be better officer if his commission
shall expire at stated periods and his
efficiency shall be his claim of reappoint-
ment and continuance in onr admin
irritation of State and county office. The
gentleman who has practical charge of
the treasury of Maine has been in his posi-
ton for forty-one years, his appointment
being annually renewed in recognition of
his ability and fidelity. Even with his
strict integrity, do not doubt that he
has been a more careful officer than if
he had been originally appointed for life
or for term of forty-one years. In
the county of my residence we electe,.
the same man annually for thirty-three
years. He was better officer than
though he had been originally chosen
for the full generation during which he
honorably discharged every duty. |
believe, therefore, from such instances
as these, and many others which could
name, that it will prove far easier
task to educate public opinion to re-
newal of appointment to efficient and
valuable officers, with sufficient salaries
to enable them to lay by something for
a rainy day, than it will be to get pop
ular consent to life tenures, with pen
sions to large civil list, constantly
increasing in numbers and amount.
and constantly provoking opposition in
the popular mind.
Mr.. George William Curtis, who is
now opposing Mr.. Blaine, mainly on
the ground of his being a '.spoilsman.'
referred editorially to the foregoing in
Harper's Weekly of September %,
1882, as follows:
The speeches of MIR. Blaine in Maine
and of Senator Harrison of Indiana,
with brief and unmistakable order of
Mayor Low of Brooklyn. relieving ev-
cry employee of all fear of the local
Hubbell. and the significant declara-
ton of more than n thousand leading
citizens of Massachusetts of all parties
that they will vote for no representa-
tive in Congress whose character and
record do not promise an earnest and
aggressive action for reform, are ;all
unmistakaple signs of public convic-
ton and purpose which will certainly
have their way. Mr.. Blaine pronounced
plainly for some kind of reform, and
Mr.. Blaine said in detail that he should
be glad to see every Federal officer.
however honorable his position. APP
pointed for aspecific term. during which
he could not be removed except for
cause, to be specified, proved and re-
corded. and for subordinate officers he
thought that seven years would be a
proper term of office.