Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-08-14

comment us any similar event since Mr..
Cleveland announced his cabinet. 1t is
generally considered by the Republican
press of the country, as the most distinct
and conspicuous violation by the Presi-
dent of his pledges and professions in re
gard to reform of the civil service, that
has yet occurred. And not II few jour
nails at once raise the question what will
the United Stptes Senate do about it
Now and then a Republican paper, one or
two in Vermont being among the number,
adopts the theory generally advanced by
the Bourbon Democracy-that the collec-
torshps, being among the recognized
"spolls, " belongo course to the victorious
party and that when they take them,
there is nothing for the Senate or the Re
pubicans generally to do, but to submit,
and bde the time when they can take
them back again.
The question as to the probable course
of the Republican Senate in some of these
particular cases, hangs simply on the
larger question whether the Republican
party has abandoned, or proposes to aban-
don. its position in regard to civil service
reform. In two national conventions and
in State and district conventions without
number, the party has taken most distinct
ground in favor of such reform. Its rep
resentatves have placed on the national
statute book the civil service law, which
the last Republican national convention
declared should be sustained and extend
ed to all offices to which it is applicable.
The essence and foundation principle of
that reform is that the Federal offices shall
not be considered mere spells of
party warfare or personal favor; and that
trusty competent and faithful officers
shall not be removed in the middle of
their terms, simply, because their politi-
cal views DO not accord with those of the
appointing power, and because other men,
in higher favor with the appointing pow
ers, want the places.
Now if the Republicans of this country
are ready to abandon their attitude with
reference to civil service reform, to give
up all that has been accomplished in that
direction and to 60 back to the old theory
and practice in regard to the offices, then
of course there is nothing further to be
said and done, in cases like the suspension
of Gen. Wells. Those who advocate this
policy, however, may do well to consider
the ndisputable fact that such abandon
ment of its ground in reference to the
civil service, would be the final good bye
of the Republican party to any hope of
restoration to power The number of
American citizens who have distinct views
on this subject is very large and steadily
increasing. But for his professions of re-
gard for this reform and promises as to
what his course should be in respect to it,
Mr.. Cleveland would have stood no chance
of election. Those promises and proies-
sions were thus summarized by one of
Mr.. Cleveland's strongest supporters, the
New York ErCning Post in an article pub
lished after the election of Mr.. Cleveland,
and when there was no campaign reason
for misstating his position;
We do not believe, and lrC hare reason
for not beliCring, that President Cleve-
land will disturb, or allow to be disturbed,
any officer of the Federal government on
account of his political opinions. We be
lieve that as regards the subordinate
offices, the civil service act will be faith
fully enforced: and as long as it is faith
fully enforced, there will be no political
motive for making removals. Under the
old regime, an officer was, when arbitrari-
ly dismissed, always dismissed to make
room for particular person designated
beforehand. Under the present law nc
particular person can be designated for
any place beforehand. Whenever a va
cancy is made in the lower grades it has
TO be filled by competitive examination
Whenever one is made in the higher
grades it has to be filled by promotion
There is, in short, no legal way at present
of putting worker" into subordinate
Office. 1t is safe to infer from this alone
that no arbitrary dismisSals will be made
by Mr.. Cleveland, even if he were not
pledged to civil service reform at all. As
regards the Don-political offices not cover
ed by the civil service act we believe the
principle of the act will be applied to them
also. In other words, no man iCiU be re-
1ROUCd on account Ot his pOliticdl OpiH
ions, or Tor any reason but incOmpctCncl
aHd neglect Of his Ottcidt duties.
Can any man give any good reason why
the United States Senate should not eXer
else the power and perform the duty Ell
trusted to it by the constitution and the
laws, in this natter Why should it MOI
inquire how the President is fulfilling hi.
pledges Why should it not say tina
civil service reform shall not become
farce and failure by his action and it,
consent
1t is because we do not believe that tn,
Republican majority of the Senate will o.
can 90 back on the principles adopted by
the Republican party in this matter tina
we ludl luc otudlC Will overhaul
all such changes as this in the Vernon
collectOrship, and require the Presiden
to show incomptency or neglect of otiicia
duties before it consents to removals. w
can imagine no earthly reason, cOnsisten
with honor and reasonable intelligence
why the Senate, made by the constitution
a part of the appointing power to the eX
tent that its consent is necessary in orde
to the making of full appointments t.
the more important federal offices, SHOULD
consent to be the mere puppet of tn
Presidents pleasure in such importan
matters. The United States Senate, IN
der the constitution and the tenure of oflic
law, is IA good deal more than register
ing board, to confirm without questio
whatever appointments the Presiden
chooses to send to it; and we are unawar
of any particular willingness on the pan
of the Senate to relinquish its prerogt
tves, i'll the past, which Should lead an