Madison times., 1885-12-19
TERMS--S2. 90 PER YEAR

tributes public positions purely as rewards
for partisan service
doubts may we'll be entertained whether
our Government could survive the strain or
q continuance o. this Syste n viii IN upon
every change OF admin. .-trdlon, inspires
an immenS" at ny Dl claimants tOt oflict to
lay siegr 10 the pltrOnase Of the Govern
ment, engro s>in the TIM OF public officers
with opportunities, sprea ling abroad the
contagion OF their dtsapp nIutment aud hll-
ing the AIR with the tumuit Of their discou-
tent The allurementS OF an immense uuu-
Der of Offices aud places eNuiDitHd t. tbe
voters of the land, aud the promise OF taelr
bestowal in reco gnitipn OF plrtiEIn activity
debauch the suffrage and roo political ac-
tion of its thoughtful and deliberative char.
acter.
would increase with the multiplication of
Offices consequent uDon our extension and
the mania for OH . holding grow NJ from
it, Indulgence woull pervad1 our pOputa-
tion so generally that patriotic purpose, the
support OF principle, the desire tor the puo-
lie good and solicltude for the Nations well
fare would he nearly banishad from the ac-
tivity OF our party contests and cause them
to degenerate into igHoble, selfish and dis
graceful struggles for the possession OF Office
and public places.
CIVIL service reform enforced by law, came
not too soon to check the progress of demor-
Aviation. One of its effects, not enough re-
garded, Is tnr freedom IL brings to the poitt-
ical action OF those conservative and sober
men who IN fear of the confusion and risk
attending an arbitrary aud sudden change
In all the public offices, with change OF party
rule cast their ballots against such u change.
Parties seem to b. necessary, and VIII con-
tinue to exist, nor can it he now denied
that there are legitimate advantages
not disconnected with Office mold
ing, which follow party supremacy.
WHILE PARrIsANsHIP CONTINUES BITTER
and pronounced and supplies so much Of
motive to sentiment and action, It IL not
fair to hold puD ic OIL 'ialS in charge of inn
portant trusts rcsponsib e toe the best re-
tI,o If fhfir nd
| yet insist that thay shall rely, in confidential
| and important places, upon the work OF
| those not only opposed to them IN political
| af1iliation, but SO steep Il in partisan tniu5-
| ticc and rancor that they have no loyalty to
| their chiefs and no d sire for their success.
| Civil service reform does not exact this, nor
| does it require that those in subordnate po-
sitions who fail in yicl Hin then best service
| or who are incO .npctent should fc retained,
| merely because they are in place.
| The winning OF such "A clerk discharged
! for indoen - ofincompetcncy, of who, though
he gained II plac; by the worst ossiple
| operation of the spoils system, suddenly
| discovers that ne - entitled t. protec ion
| under the ssnctun of civil service reform,
| represents an idea no less absurd than the
| clamor of the applicant who claims the
vacant position as hs compensation
| for the most questionable party work,
| The civil service law does not prevent the
| discharge OF the indoleut or tncomrctene
clerk but it does prevent supply NJ his place
| with the unit party worker. Ihus in Doth
| the phases is seen benefits Is the public serv-
ernment, having secured this statltc, will not
relinqush in benefits without protest nor
are they unmindul of the fact that Its full
| advantages can only be gained thrOu gh the
| complete good faith of those having its ex-
| ecution in charge, anl this they Will insist
| upon
| recommend that the salaries OF the Civil
Service Commissioners be Increased to
| sum more nearly commensurate to their i'm
| portant duties
|
| PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION
The present condition OF the law relating
to the succession to the Presidency In tine
event of the death di ability or removal of
both the President and Vice President, Is
This sub jet has repeatedly been considered
by Congress, but no result has been reached.
The recent immediate death of the Vice.
President and vacancies at the same
time In all other offices, the ncum-
bents of which might Immediately exer-
has caused public anxiety and a just de-
nand that a recurrence OF such a condition
Of affairs should not be permitted.
| In conclusion, commend to the wise care
| and thoughtful attention of Congress the
needs, the welfare and the aspirations OF
subordinate Ihese to the narrow dis
advanta .es of partiZanship or the ac-
| complishment of selfish anns IL to violate
the peoples trust and betray the peoples
interests But an individual sense OF re-
sponslitv on the part of each of us, and a
STERN determination to perform our duty
well, must give us place among those VINO
have added In their day aud generation to
the glory and prosperity OF our beloved
land.
| ISiRned1 GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON, ID. O., December 8, 1885.
.