The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-07-28

WE notice that some of our Democratic
contemporaries are charging that MIR.
Blaine's position in favor of Civil-Service
Reform In his letter OF acceptance was as
sumed for the purpose of catching votes;
that he had never taken ground on the
question before. Fortunately THE CRITIC
has the means of setting that matter at
rest forever. THE CRITIC has before it a
copy of the Washington Post-good Demo-
cratic authority, surcly-of the Sth of
September, 1852. Under tho head Of "Mr.
Blaine on Civil Service" the Post Of that
date has an editorial of halfa column giving
an account of an address delivered by Mr..
Blaine two days previously that is, Sep
tember 6, 1Ss2-at Winterport, and in
which 1t says:
According to tho brief report sent by tele.
graph Mr.. Blaine said that he would Ike TO
see every Federal oflcer, however humble,
appointed for specific period, during which
he could not be removed except I9r cause
| lie would be glad to see tenure OF all suoordi-
| nate officers made longer at least than Presi'
dcntial term, 80 that the incoming OF nsw
| Administration be not crippled or injured.
| The adoption OF these suggestions would 50
far toward removing many OF the worst ovils
| Of our Civil Service. II an official were sure
that he would NOT DO thrown out of place GA
| como paltry pretext, or for no other Gauss thln
a desire TO put another In his place he Would
| bs relieved OF q load OF demoralizing anxiety,
and would DO a much more useful because A
| much more happy man.
The constant fear OF losing onlce, OF being
| deprived OF q support for II family, ia one OF
| the most demoralizing features OF our OWL
Service in all It's branches. Tho man who
\ breads the fall of the official ak every day,who
| Knows that fldelity 10 duty Is no guarantee OF
! exemption from decapitatiou, who sees Ia
every stranger that enters the ofllce his possl-
bio successor, Is in no condition 10 90 good
| work. Fixity OF tenure would correct oil this.
| The incumbent, knowing Just when his term
would expire, would prepare for that event
Besides, the evils OF having crowds OF place
hunters always beeieging Senators, Repro
| sentatives and heads OF Departments would be
abated. II places were not creataole on demand
there would bo no throng OF greedy applicants
Mr. Blaine euggests seven years as the proper
term, and that Will do as well as any othel
number.
views arc precisely what tho Post has alway
urged. He docs not believe In It because 1
means pension In the end and may create
privileged class. We could not send old mel
and old women out of nice to starve. II KEEP
on tho rolls until unit for further duty, the!
would have 10 be provided for on civil re
tired list. Tho worst abuses under our Gov
erpment now are sheltered IN the retlrod lis
OF the Army and Navy. II the whole country
knew the whole truth In regard to some o
| these retired gentlemen, thore would be
louder howl raised than has Deon heard TO
| many years. There must DO no extension o
this system; therefore there must be no lst
tenure OF civil onlces.
Has sanybody-editor, orator, Statesman
or slouch-more fully defined his positio
on this much mooted question than MI
Blaine does in the above? And can tn
most ultra exponent or advocate of Reforr
in our Civil Service present moro practices
and common sense scheme for such Refort
than ia marked ont by Mr. Blaine in tn