The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1885-10-16
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
SENATOR'S RANSOM AND VANCE
DIFFER IN THEIR VIEWS.
The Louisville Courier J OnrnaI PubIish-
an Interview on Civil Service Reform
in which Senator Vance Opposes IL.

in which Senator Vance Opposes H.
Senator Zebulon B. Vance, of North
Carolina, passed through the city last
Thursday, on his way TO Oldham county
to visit his relatives He returned to Louis
Vile yesterday morning, and is stopping
at the home Of Mrs. Steele, his Wife 5
mother, on Sixth street. He was called
upon by Courier Journal" reporter last
evening and in relation to political mat
ters in his own State he said
Politics Is at dead stand still in North
Carolina There are no elections, and, as
the people spent a great deal of energy
and enthusiasm il the Presidential con
test, they are now absorbed in agriculture
and in business generally. Crops are ex-
cellent and the State is quiet and prosper
GUS
''What is the feeling of the North Car
olina Democracy toward the present ad-
mipistration n was asked.
That feeling is not enthusiastic, nor
even favorable'
In what light do you view the present
civil service system - asked the reporter
Il don't like it, and never did. | have
fought it always, and intend to fight for
the repeal of the law next session, or at
least for Il great modification Of it. If
some one else does not present a bill pro
shall do so myself.
'.lts workings from the beginning were
uni Just. After the civil service bill become
Il law, several months elapsed before 1t
went into effect. Its provisions were not
to apply to those persons in office at the
time OF its enactment, and rs Il matter OF
course, could not be applied to those re-
ceiving appointments in the interval of
enactment and application. The conse-
quence was that in this interval all offices
from high to low, even those OF floor
SWcepers, We're crammed and Jamned
with Republicans The result is that now
power of Republicans as it was during the
administration of Garfield and Arthur.
There would have been some show of JUS
tice toward the Democrats if all had stood
the test alike, but such was not the case.
''Are you in favor Of civil service syS-
TEN favorable alike to Democrats and Re-
publicans y
''No, | am not. do not favor the per
petuation of an ot1ice-holding class. In
England such class exists, and there it is
almost impossible for any of the bright
and ambitious young men to secure posi-
tlons in the civil service. You see, that
under the present civil service law, per
son appointed to office receives life ten
urc, pFONlUeU he does nOUnlnS 10 lOrlelt
his position, and the authority for judg-
ing the conduct of such persons is vested
in the three men who constitute the board
There is the opportunity for great abuses.
And again; whenever politics and the civil
service are separated, then there vii! be
no distinctive party. Politics, in a great
measure, depends upon the civil service
branch OF the government. Separate the
two and politics will be robbed of its i'm
pulses; of its ambitions. | believe in par
ties and that the good of the people de-
pends upon such conditions. If there is
nothing to look forward to in politics; if
it gives no power; if there is nothing to
fight for we would have no great political
debates and statesmen would come to
naught.
S'Human nature will be what it is, and
it is only natural that a man should wish
to appoint his friends to office. He would
be something of a hound if he felt other
wise. The man deserves to be rewarded
who goes out on the huStings, who works
and tugs and hurrahs for his party. But
the appointing power should be held
strictly responsible for those it places in
positions. Let every man be held to strict
| account for every appointee, and we shall
soon have pure civil service. Yes. sir,
| intend to fight with all my might any
| civil service laws which SAVIOR of the pres
ent so-called civil service reform" :
| Senator Vance has but lately returned
| from Washington, where he spent two
weeks, and says he found everything very
| dull there