The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-03-21
Republican Office Holders and Civil
Service Reform.

Since the advent Of the Democratic party to
power in national affairs, great prominence
has been given to Civil-Service Reform. The
most ardent advocates are Republican federal
ofiice.holders. though number Of Republican
journals are talking beautifully on the subject.
It is rather late day for Republicans to talk
about Civil Service Reform. They had con-
troll of the government for nearly quarter OF
a century, and capacity for partisan service
was generally placed above capacity for work
and honest discharge of duty in appoint
ing officials. When Hayes occupied the
Presidency through gigantic fraud on the
part of distinguished Republican leaders, he
advocated CivilService Reform in each of his
four annual messages, but the Republican
party turned deaf ear to all he said on that
subject. They concluded that they ought to
have a perpetual lease ofpower, and the spoils
system was part Of the machinery that was
depended upon to keep the party up.
Two years ago, through the efforts Of Demo
Gratis, limited civil-service reform law was
passed. 1t affects only certain class of sub
ordinate clerks, but the Republican Office
holders and journals are attempting to apply
it to all positions under the government.
President Cleveland, of course, viii carry out
the law in good faith. His oath Of office will
require it, and it is not for him to say whether
the law is an advantage or disadvantage. Mr.
Cleveland, however, is Democrat, and be-
lieves that Democratic policy can best be car
ried out by agents subscribing to and endors-
ing Democratic principles. He will proceed
cautiously and slow in making changes, and
viii make merit and capacity the chief test
for fitness.
Mr. Cleveland well knows, and SO does
every member Of his Cabinet, that the people
last fall voted for a change, both as to men
and measures. A change ofmeasures cannot
be fully and successfully carried out without
a change of men. The men now holding
places, are Republicans. They have used
their time and means, often becoming oficious
and distasteful to the public, and engaged in
questionable schemes, to defeat Democrats
and Democratic principles. They protested
to believe that Democratic success would be
disastrous to the country. They hold no
principle in accord with Democratic doctrine;
they do not believe either in economy nor IN
rendering honest labor commensurate with
the salary received; they have robbed the
government, or connived at robbery by others.
These same Office holders made whisky frauds,
star-route frauds, navy frauds, and thousands
of other frauds possible. There are honest
and efficient ones among them, and such no
doubt will be retained, but as class the he
publican office-holders should be removed
and as speedily as possible. Every Depart
ment at Washington should be reorganIzed,
with new men in the service. The custom
houses and postofices in the large cities
should be recognized also. They have been
made political machines and used against the
Democratic party and its principles The
employees have engaged in ballot-box stuffing
and other schemes to defraud the people and
to retain the Republican party in power.
Postmasters everywhere, as a rule, have been
the most active partisans and Democratic
opponents. In a way limited only by their
surroundings, they have used foul means as
well as ldlF III tuclA 1CaA " NNeS 49, -
Democratic party.
For federal ofice-holders and Republicans
in general to talk of Ciyil-Ser Reform IS
an insult to the country; and the effort being
made by many of them to remain permanently
in Office or until their commissions expire, is
display of impotence never before shown IN
this country. After the abuse they have
heaped upon the Democratic party, and their
supreme efforts to defeat it, it is astonishing
that they should desire to retain place under
Democratic administration. Those who
have any self-respect should tender their re-
signations at once. Those who do not, pro-
claim that they have been Republicans for
the offices they held, and will become Demo
Gratis in name or subside into political quie-
tude for the sake of retaining their positions
under the new administration.
We mistake Mr.. Cleveland, and he will
mistake Democratic sentiment, if he does not
make as thorough a change as possible The
people don't wont any unseeming haste in the
matter, but they want the change as soon as
it is expedient, and as thorough one as is
possible.