National Republican., 1885-12-09

! tNLinlhhlOn, tilu gives large uis ;rUttOu 10
the commissioners Us to the character of tho
cNt animation aud many other matters con-
nCciCd with Its execution. Thus the rules
| and regulations adopted hy the euinmis
! siCn have much to do with the practical
| useiulLcss Of the statute aud with the results
| Of It's application.
Tie people may well trust the commits
! sion to execute the law with perfect fair
! rCss and with as little irritation as Is pDsst
ble But, Of course, no relaxation OF the
| principle which undcres IL aud no weak
| eniBg Of the safeguards which surround IL
can he expected. Experience IN its ad-
ministration will probably suggest amend
| ment Of the methods OF its execution, but
| venture to hopo that we shall never again
be RENTED to the system which distributes
| public positions purely as rewards for par
than service. Doubts may well be enter
tained whether our government could sur
! NiVC the strain Of continuance OF this
systun, which upon every change OF adj
ministrntion inspires an immense army OF
claimants for Office TO lay siege to the
patronage Of the government, engrossing
ihc time uf public officers with their i'm.
rortunties spreading abroad thecontagion
| Of their disappointment, and tilling the air
| with the tumut of their discomfort.
The allurGmcnts Of an immense number
Of Offices aud places, exhibited to the voters
Of the land, and the promise OF their be-
stowal in recognition Of partisan activity.
| dchnuch the suffrage and rob political action
Of its thoughtful and deliborative character.
The evil would increase with the multlpli-
cation OF offices consequent upon our eX-
tension, and the mania for oillceholdlDg,
| growing from It's indulgence, would per-
wade our population so generally that pa
trlotlc purpose, the support Of principle,
tie desire for the public good, and solicit
| tudc for the nations welfare, would be
| uCnrly bnuiglca from the nrtiyity of our
party contests, and cause them 10 degener-
ate into ignollc selfish, and disgrnccful
struggles for the possession Of office and
public piece.
Civil service reform enforced by law camo
none too soon TO check the progress of de-
moralizotion.
| Ono OF Its cltocts, not enough regarded,
is hcfrCedom IL brings to the political action
Of those conservative aud sober men who, In
fear OF the confusion and risk attending an ar
bitrary and sudden change IN all the public
Offices with change Of party rule, cast
their ballots against such Il chance.
Parties seem to be necessary, aud will
long continue to exist; nor can II be now
denied that there are legitimate advantages,
not disconnected with Office holding, which
follow party supremacy. While partisan
ship continues bitter aud pronounced, and
supplies so much OF motive to sentiment
and action, II is not fair to hold public OH
cals, in charge Of important trusts, respon-
sible for the best results IN the performance
Of their duties, and yet insist that they shall
rely, in confidential and important places,
upon the work Of those not only opposed to
them In political aflliation, but so stepped
iu partisan prejudice and rancor that they
have no loyalty to their chiefs and no de-
sire for their success. Civil service reform
does not exact this, nor does II require that
those in subordinate positions who fail In
Yielding their best service, or who are in
Competent, should be retained simply be-
cause they are IN place. The whining of a
clerk discharged for Incidence or incompe-
tency, who, though he gained his place by
the worst possible operation of the spois
system, suddenly discovers that he is enti-
> Il d TO protection under the sanction of
civil service reform, represents an idea no
less absurd than the clamor of the applicant
who claims the vacant position as his COM
pensation for the most questionable party
work.
The civil service law does not prevent
the discharge Of the indolent or incompe-
tent clerk, but IL does prevent supplying
his place with the unfit party worker
, Thus, In both these phases, Is seen benefit
10 the public service. And the people who
lesIie good government having secured
this statute, will not relinqulsh its benefits
without protest. Nor are they unmindful
Of the fact that its full advantages can only
ne canned tnrough the compiete gooI ialtl
Vi .iosG ~. having Hs eNecuuoh Ill charge
i recommend that the salaries of the civil
SERVICE conIlnissioncrs Do inerunstu 70
sum iiotn . ,lun'iy eon''i'ehsu'"'o W 'he'' iu
poI.InI POI, ~ uu,rs, , ., oo,.,,o,o,,o nm, No, ,,,
ot,,re, doonn, tnt we ahnoat ur nVs rris u
;nn haa uo, hnnn ada 'Ia' fnr occnn,odJot,no pJ,
Gn In "nr rr,SSc;roI ScS iihrorS ~ tho 0nvnrnment
NC ,,ipn ,ost oa,,no,inS ~ hnou and rorn
lano sera,, h,,narsd tbonsanS srcIms;yo ~
,a'',,so,;,ts ,,,ors onS ,haynroduo,s 30 VI,