Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-12-17

frine of polygamous marriages as divine
revelation and a lasy unto all, higher and
more binding upon the conscience than any
human law, local or national. This IS the
strong spectacle presented by a omnuniiy
protected by a republican form Of govern
ment TO which they owe allegiance, >Iis-
tanning BY their suifrageS prlnel,ie and
belief which sets at naught that obligation
OF absolute obedience TO the land which lies
at the foundation of republican Institutions.
The strength, the perpetuity and the desii-
ny of the Nation rests upon our homes es-
ablished by the law of God, guarded BY
parental care, regulated by parental author
ity and sanctitie,i by parental love. These
are not the homes of pOlygamy. The
mo hers of our land Who rule the Nation as
they would the characters, and guide the
actions o their sons, live according To Cots
holy ordinance, and each, pure and happy
in the exclusive .0ye of til father of her
children, sheds the warm light OF true wo-
manhood, unpefyerted and nnp0lluted, up
on all within her pure and who es0ine fainl-
y circle. These are not the cherries,
crushed and uuw0maniy mothers OF polyga-
best cit ems of the Republic; wife and
children are the sources of patriotism, and
cOajugal and parental affection beget deva-
ton to country. The man who, indebted
| with plural marriage, Is surrounded in his
singe home with his wife and children, has
stake in the country which inspires him
with respect for its laws and courage for
the defense. These are not the fathers of
polygamous miles. There is no feature
Of this practice or the system which sane
tons ii, which is not opposed to all that IS
OF va ne in our institutions.
There should be no re aXali ion IN the firm
but Just execution OF the law now in opera
ton. and | should be glad 10 approve such
further discreet legislation ms will rid this
country of this blot upon its fair fame.
Since the people upholding polygamy in our
Territories are reinforced By immigration
from other lands, | recommend that a law
be passed to prevent the importation of
Mormons into the country.
cIvH4sERvIsE REFORM.
The report OF the Ciyil-serviee commission,
which will be submitted, contains an account
OF the manner in which the Civi-service law
has been executed during the last year and
much valuable information on this impor-
talit subject. | am inclined to think that
there is no sentiment more general in the
minds OF the people oil our country than
conviction OF the correctness of the prlnci-
pies upon which the law enforcing civil-Ser-
vice reform is based In its present condi-
ton the law regulates only part OF the subor-
dinate public positions throughout the coun-
try. 1t applies test OF Illness to applicants
for these places by means of competitive ex-
animation and gives large discretion TO the
commissioners as to the character OF exam
nation and many other matters connected
IL.
lations adopted by the commission have
much to do with the practical usefulness Of
the statute and with the results OF its appl-
cation. The people may we'll trust the COM
mission to execute the law with perfect fair
ness and with as little irritation as is posi-
bic. But of course no relaxation OF the prin-
cple which underieS it, and no weakening
of the safeguards which surround it can be
expected. Experience III Its administration
will probably suggest an amendment OF the
methods OF its execution, but venture to
hope that we never shall be RENTED to the
system which distributes public positions
purely as rewards for partisan service.
Doubts may well be entertained whether our
Government could survive the strain OF a
continuance OF this system. which, upon
every change of Administration, inspires an
immense army of claimants for Office TO lay
siege to the patronage of the Government,
engrossing the time of public officers with
their opportunities, spreading abroad the
contagion of their disappointment, and fill
ing the air with the tumult OF their disc0n-
tent. The allurements OF an immense num-
Der of offices and places exhibited to the
| voters OF the land, and the promise of their
bestowal in recognition of partisan activity
debauch the suffrage and rob political action
OF its thoughtful and deliberatiye character.
The evil would increase with the multiple
cation of officers consequent upon our eXten-
sion, and the mania for office-hOding, grow
ing from its indulgence, would perydde our
iORtitNibll oo Stutldli9 ttldV HttlittiI pun
pose, the support OF principle the desire for
the public good and Soiicitude for the Ma
TONS welfare would be nearly banished from
the activity of our party contests, and cause
them TO degenerate into ignoble, selfish and
disgraceful struggles for the possession OF
office and public place.
CiviEservce reform, enforced by law, came
not too soon to check the progress OF de-
m0raliZation. One of its effects not enough
regarded. is the freedom it brings TO the DO.
NJ thncn fiNsa aud soho
men who, i'll fear of the confusion and risk
attending an arbitrary and sudden change in
all the public offices with change of party
rule, cast their ballots against such a change.
Parties seem to be necessary, and vii con.
tlnue to exist. Nor can it be now denied
that there are legitimate advantages not dis.
connected with office holding Which follow
party supremacy. While partisanshp con.
tinueS bitter aud pronounced, and supplies
SO much of motive TO sentiment and action
it is not fair to hold public officials, in charge
OF important trusts, responsible for the best
results III the performance of their dutie
and yet insist that they shall rely, in conf
dental and important places, upon the work
OF those not only opposed to taeul in politi-
cal Utilization bat SO stepped IN partisan rfeiu-
dice and laneor that they have no loyalty to
their chiefs and no desire for their success.
Clyll-service reform does not exact this, nor
does it require that those in subordinate posi-
tioh fail iii yielding their best service or
VINO are incompetent should be retained
simply because they are in place. The whin-
ing of a clerk, discharged FOR Incidence or
incompetency. who, though he gained his
place by the worst possible operation of the
spoils system, suddenly discovers that he is
entitled to protection under the sanction of
civi-serYice reform, represents an idea no
less absurd than the clamor OF the applicant
who claims the vacant position as his com
pensaton for the most questionable party
work.
The Ciyil-seryice law does not prevent the
discharge OF the INDECENT or Incompetent
clerk, but it does prevent supplying his place
with tile unit paltyworker. Thus in both
the phases is seen benefit to the public SER
vice, and the people, who desire good gov
| eminent having secured this statute, will
not relinQuish its benefits without protest
nor are they unmindful of the fact that its
full advantages can only be gained through
the complete good faith OF those having its
execution iii charge, and this they will insist
upoH.
i recommend that the salaries of the Civil
5 'rvice Commissioners be increased TO a sum
more nearly commensurate to their impor-
tant duties.
THE GOVERNMENT LIBRARY.