Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-18
Civil Service and the Democratic
Party.

Whether the Democratic party, When II
takes control Of the government, viii en-
force the civil service law strictly, is a
question that is now the occasion Of con-
siderable speculation. Mr.. Dorman b..
Eaton. the chief Of the Civil Service CON-
mission. thinks that thu pressure Tor
| places will be so great that 1t viii be
found impossible TO fulfill the full inten-
/ ton Of the law. He thinks that Nj.
/ Cleveland will be a reform President, and
viii aim to establish the civil service law
on q frmer foundation, but that he will
ind himself so strongly opposed by those
who want places and those who VIII help
to distribute the patronage that he viii
not be able to have his own way in the
matter TO the extent that he would like
TO. Mr.. Thoman, another member Of the
| commission, takes a more hopeful view,
and is confident that civil service reform
viii make a great deal Of progress during
Mr.. Cleveland's administration.
There is no doubt that an extraordinary
pressure will be brought to bear on the
new administration TO I'LL the offices with
Democrats. This pressure, 10 a very con-
siderable extent, must be yielded TO, but
there will hardly be such a clean sweep
as many hope for and expect.
No doubt that all the Offices which are
not under the jurisdiction Of the civil
service law will be filed by Democrats as
soon as the term Of their present Occu-
pants expire. 1t may be that those who
occupy very important and prominent
offces-the chief post Offices, collector
ships and heads Of bureaus-wiIl be asked
70 resign before their terms expire. The
Republicans have never shown any dis
position 70 put Democrats in Office, and
there is no reason why Democrats should
show any favor to Republicans. In fact
they are not expected to show any favor
and they will hardly do more than is ex-
pected Of them.
1t would be unjust and unfair TO the
Democratic party to allow Republicans &c
control Offices Of influence and impOr-
lance. II would be unjust because the
Democrats. having been intrusted with
the management Of the government, are
entitled to the major part Of the benefit;
arising from the offices. and it would be
unjust because. If the Republicans were
allowed 10 retain the offices, they would
use them TO strengthen themselves fol
the next contest with the Democrats.
It is about certain that any demand L
interfere with the occupants Of minor
positions in the departments at Washing
ton. and in the custom houses and post
/, offices throughout the country, will not
be recognized. As their places become
vacant they will be filled in accordance
with the rules ard regulations Of the
civil service law.
Among the government employees
there are a great many who are utterly
worthless. Some are not qualified for the
places they attempt TO ill, and Others re
fuse 10 do as we'll as they can. All Of the
worthless class will be dismissed without
much ceremony or delay. Their dismissal
will not be a source Of regret to anybody
r The policy of Mr.. C~leveland's admins
t~ration, plainly stated, will probably bt
/ about this: Every place that a be hleC
bF a Democrat without violating the CIV
service law will be so filed, but the ain
will be TO strengthen confidence in and
} respect for the civil service law. Tha'
measure was proposed by a Democratic
-, Senator and passed with the help Of Demo
= Gratis. and il will be the aim Of a Demo
= cratic administration to establish 1t s.
firmly that nc attempt viii ever be made
10 20 back TO the old system. There Is NJ
doubt that the people Of the country be
Ieye in civil service reform. and it would
not be well for any party to oppose it.