Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-06-26
uL,aPi,. ,~Bi>sTO> TER.
OllxPIL. rRIpil LIENl\C, llM g, 1885,
Political Reform.

hH iinIhieU't tI IN" onlO INC
politicians IA declaring that they
co. unk with the deepest regret on
H.. Ga 10 ~ the pres Mt Admins
tpfun 20 promote the reforms OF
c.,It nrivicc. NO auspiciouslv begun
IN Ter i;rI uhlcnn adm nistra'ion,
g. unparalleled 1t Is only equaled
bv the claim yet forth in the context
~ the sentence quoted, that the Re
publican party suggested and formu
lated the snnctments designed to
Iurify the public service. They
might, however, have very truthfuily
admitted that their party, through
long continued aud fragrant neglect
Of official duty aud corrupt practice
"a every department Of tho pubic
s,iv,ce, made all the conditions
which created an imperative demaDd
for form. |, was the prevalence
II fraud incid, MT TO the reward OF
INSCRIPTIONS partlsans. that made
necessary system which gave some
promise OF relief; but it remained
for tho present Administration to H.
nuguiato n determined practical ef-
fort to give il vitality.
Civil service, under Republican
control, was a policy OF false pre-
tenses. II was always made sub
sorylsnt TO party necessity. While
Il provided IN some clerical posi-
tons for competitive tests Of qualifi
cation, there was one which none
could pass unless he had voted and
acted with the dominant party. Nc
man, however competent. could OBJ
tain position, unless he brought Will
him this highest qualification Of fealty
to tho Republican party. Tho civil
officers were all Republicans, all &C
two, persistent and " Offensive" par
taans. The clerks in the Depart
ments at Washington, who are spe
cially amsnable to the letter of the
civil service law, were sent home t.
vote, with the cordia, sanction of the
party which now claims a clear tit Z
TO its benefcent intent. The acqui
escence in this view was SO genera
On to raise q prolonged howl of rag
against the New York City Post
master because his fidelity to tn,
Law and efficiency Of the postal ser
vice WAS greater than devotion t.
party and love for Blaine.
Civil service. ~ understood by tn.
Republican party, did not dsbsr th'
offensive partisan from plying hi
vocation. That idea it was left fol
Mr.. Cleveland to discover as lying
st the foundation OF reform; but il
WAS no sooner stated by him than il
became tho shibboleth Of those
whose inventive ingenuity is now di
rsctsd solely to planning means
whereby they can retain position
and weaken the power of the victors
The wide application they now seel
10 make Of the torn, to exclude from
place those who have battled fol
principle Q score Of years, those Wit
have been ever faithful during con
tinued defeat, would probably neve
have boon thought Of by them, hat
not the President, in the sincerity o
his nature, used n term capable o
gross misapplication. Now. whel
be is engaged in conscientious en-
deavor TO purify the Government
these autlacious time-seivers would
make il . check Tor punishment o
their own delinquencies.
II was such acts OF offensive parti
san-hip ~ characterized the pro
ceedings OF tho Missouri Whisk,
Ring and the Star Route swindlers
whereby Presidents were elected
aud Administrations controlled, tina
directed attention to the .fensirenes
Of inordinste party zeal. 1t was tn
par,isanship displayed by the Su
prems Court Of the United States
when empowered to sit as an Elec
torsl Commission. that compelled
the people TO believe that party yea
Iaight become . curse aud imperi
the life Of the nation, when long
continued success had made tb,
leaders arrogant in their assumptions
aud oblivious Of all moral restraint
II was 10 secure . reform OF th,
in.quitiss perpstratod in the name
Of Rspublicanism, that the peopl.
demanded . change. 1t was to en-
sure trial Of what was believed Il
be sound in theory. that the trus
wac con6dsd to the Democratic
party. II was after it had proven ,
shame and mocksry under The man
sgsmsnt Of ito proiesssd friends
that the trial OF other means became
necessary. The action Of the Ohio
Republicans in placing it 80 promi'