Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-04-23
April 23, 1855.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

10 Ut LufOf ~ Itt lHybttu iFtc fS0o
As the subject of Civil Service seems to be
assuming paramount importance in Politics,
and as upon it at no distant day, may pos
sibly hinge the power, if not the very exist
ence of q great party a few thoughts upon
it additional to those in your issue of the 9Th,
coming as they do from an old Wing who
would accept no office, may not be declined
although THE FREE PRESS by publishing
them will not, of course, be held as entirely
endorsing, or being committed by, them. \
All governments, as a matter of course,
require executive officers to administration.
The appointment of these officers under
absolute ruers-rulers by divine and heredi-
tary right, is very simple, and they consti-
tute, in the main, privileged class, for life,
or the will of the ruler Under free, popu
lar, constitutional, elective governments,
this appointment is less simple They are
governments of the People. In them " all
men are equal" before the law, and they abb
hor privileged classes even as Nature Is said
[ 10 dDilOI Il NdNuulu. III sum EphNi AA4'N'N'
two great parties, at least, are inevitable, and
even indispensable, to watch and detect the
shortcomings of each other, if nothing else;
and, as one or the other party by vote of the
people attains temporary ascendency, chang
es in subordinate offices are equally indis-
pensable, fthe will of the people as evinced
by their vote is to be obeyed, and the new
policy faithfully carried out-changes as a
rule, in all offices, and not merely in those
of the President and Cabinet For, in vain
will success in civil, as in military affairs,
be expected or attainable with secret foes or
half-hearted friends in minor as in higher
executive offices. As well and wisely might
the garrison of a citadel carried by assault be
permitted to hold it for the victors, as q
government torn from the talons which had
held it quarter of a century be quietly
handed back TO those talons for safe-keeping.
Indeed, 90, ernm ent of the people demands
so imperatively changes of its servants, to
detect incompetency, fraud, and embezzle-
ment, if they exist, and avoid the very sem
blance of fayoritesm that such changes
should be made in subordinate offices even
should no change of party or in high
offices for a considerable period occur. If
the plea of more perfect qualification to ex-
ecutive official duties is attained by pro-
longed tenure of Office has any force, is it not
equally forcible as regards the higher officers
elective by the people and might not the
excitement. Generalization and expense of
frequent elections be obviated by Presi-
dent. Cabinet, Senate and Members of Con-
gress for life, or even with hereditary trans
mission of privileges and powers? And why
on this principle, might not, new Presi-
dent, at any rate, retain his predecessors
Cabinet, as well as minor Executive offices ?
That in these frequent changes in office,
honesty and competency shonld be sacredly
regarded and that Office should not be viewed
as a reward solely for party service Is not
question. And yet, it will never do totally
to ignore such service and it never UW be
ignored. Man is human. A party which
ignores itself-its toilers, and fighters, d
victors will soon be ignored by its friends
and scorned by its foes. Does any one sup
pose that the old Democratic party-the par
ty of Jefferson and Jackson, would so long
have held sway but for its party discipline
and its recognition of party service? And
the Republican party-does any one sup
pose that party would so long have held
power in its iron grip, despite it, despotism
and corruption, and so deeply imbedded it
self that nothing short of moral revolution
could dislodge it, and then only by hand
full of votes. and the chance aid of half a
dozen favorable contingencies, had it re-
tanned foes in Office and indiscriminately ap-
pointed to office friends and foes ? Why
up to the last moment of that party's power
who were they who were appointed to
place? Were they Democrats? Were one
half OF them Democrats Was there sin
Gle Democrat among them all-renegades,
like Emory Speer, excepted? And, yet
more, were not Republicans constantly re-
signing, before the expiration of their terms,
in order that other Republicans of their own
nomination might step into their shoes, with
the Civil service assurance that they were to
serve out their four year terms? This bril-
liant stroke of policy Is attributed to the
brilliant Malone. If it were so, the re-
tiring President was indebted to that Mephis-
topholes for one more shade Of infamy on
his Presidential escutcheon, however bright,
but for that evil genius Of bis Administra-
ton, its blazoary might have been.
OLD LISE WEIG.