The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-05-28

Tom Hendricks ideas of Civil Service
seems to be the winning card. 1t is to re-
form all the Republicans out of office and
all the Democrats in to take their place.
1t is very popular with the successful
office-seekers, but not SO popular with
those left out in the cold, who constitute a
vast army VALLEY Vugiaja,a.
The idea was patented in 1861 by the
first Republican Administration; improve
ments were patented every four years by
Grant, Hayes and Garfield, and the final
and most remarkable improvement was
Republicans, to put in new Republicans.
The idea is Yery,very old one VGadicator.
Well, if these several patents were is
sued and utilized, which is an open ques-
ton, why did you promise to reform what
you call the ''spoils system" and then
adopt it with more emphasis than it has
ever before been practiced by national
administration The mugwumps, :"
elected Cleveland and Hendricks on the
distinct understanding that the 'spoils
system was to be ignored-a new depart
ure inaugurated and the experiment tried
whether or not the American people would
endorse the principle that public ''office is
public trust" Mr.. Cleveland so declared
after his election-his Cabinet was said to
have fully agreed with him, and it did
look like there was to be sincere effort
to elevate and improve the public service,
i'll this respect. Conservative men of
both parties approved the policy, and the
belief was becoming general that if it were
honestly carried out, it would have the
effect to reconstruct parties and bring to-
gether the better elements of both organi-
cations into new political force, with a
good prospect to rule the country for an
indefinite time. But the "boysn could
not stand.this. The pressure upon Con-
gressmen and the pressure of Congress
men upon the President and Cabinet Off
GERS, became too strong and fierce and un-
RENTING. Partizan influence triumphed
over patriotic intentions-the ''spoils sys-
tenn was accepted as the rule of admin
istrative action and all that was offensive
in the Democratic party obtained dom
ination in official appointments. There is
scarcely an instance where changes have
been made that preference has not been
given to the most offensive and recl-
less partizans, regardless of public SEN
timent and in defiance of all the profess
sions of reform y which have been pro-
mulgated.
We are free to admit that there had
been too much of this spirit manifested
by previous administrations, and that it
was this fact which defeated the Republi-
can nominees last November. Wefurther
believe that the party which will show the
necessary courage to disregard the claims
of place-hunters, and, relying upon the
conservatism and desire for official integ-
rity and honest administration of the
great mass Of the people, shall dare to
practice reform in the civil service, will be
the power that will win and hold the gov
eminent so long as it adheres to this more
elevated guage Of public obligation and
duty. Two months experience has suf-
ficiently shown that the Democratic party
is incapable Of doing this. Starting out
with the assurance that the public well
fare was to be considered paramount to
partiZan influence and demands, and we
believe with an honest purpose to put in
practical force the spirit and intent of the
promise, 1t was met with almost universal
approval. But the hungry and thirsty
gathered their clans they besieged the
of Congress, and they in turn
oombarded the Departments and the Ex-
ecutive Mansion, and won. The white
lag was soon raised from the ramparts of
The capital and the whole machinery of
government practically turned over to the
'spoilsmen the most offensive parti-