Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-12-17

y
than q conviction of the correctness of the
principle upon which the law enforcing civ
! il service reform is based. He says the peO-
pie may we'll trust the Civil Service Com
mission to execute the law with fairness,
and he ventures to hope that we shall never
again be remitted to a system which dis
tributes positions purely as reward for
partisan services. The allurements Of an
immense number of Offices and places exhibit
ted to the voters of the land, and the promise
of their bestowal in recognition Of parti-
san activity debauch suffrage and rob po-
litical action of its thoughtful and delibera-
tive character. The evil would increase
with the multiplication of offices conse-
uuent upon our extension and mania for
office holding growing from its indulgence
would pervade our population so generally
that patriotic purpose, the support of prin-
ciple, the desire for the public good and So
licitude for the nations welfare, would be
nearly banished from the activity of our
party contests, and cause them to degener-
ate into ignoble, selfish and disgraceful
struggles for positions of Office and public
place. Civil service reform enforced by
law came none too soon to check the prog
ress of decentralization. One of its effects
brings to the political action of these conser-
yatiVe and soberminded men who in the fear
of confusion and risk attending an arbitrary
and sudden change in all public Offices with
change of party rule, cast their ballots
against such change. Parties seem to be
necessary and will long continue to exist,
nor can it be now denied that there are le-
gitimate advantages not disconnected with
office holding which follow party suprema-
cy. While partisanship continues bitter
and pronounced, and supplies so much of
the motives of sentiment and action it is
not fair to hold public officials, in charge of
important trusts, responsible for the best
results in the performance of their duties,
and yet you insist that they shall rely in
confidential and important places upon the
work of those not only opposed to them in
political affirmation, but so stepped in par
tisan prejudice and rancor that they have
no loyalty to their chiefs and no desire for
their success. Civil service reform does not
exact this, nor does it require that those in
subordinate positions who fail in yielding
their best service, or who are incompetent
should be retained simply because they are
in place. The whining of clerk discharg-
ed for Incidence or incompentency who,
though he gained his place by the worst
possible operations of the spoiis system,
suddenly discovers that he is entitled to
protection under the sanction of the civil
service reform, represents an idea no less
absurd than the clamOr of the applicant
who claims vacant position as his compen-
sation for his most questionable party work.
The civil service law does not prevent
the discharge of an indolent or incompetent
clerk, but it does prevent supplying his
place with an unfit party worker. Thus IN
both these phases is seen the benefit of the
public service, and the people who desire
good government, having secured this stat
ute, will not relinq quish its benefits without
protest. Nor are they unmindful OF the
fact that its full advantages can only be
gained through the complete good faith OF
those having its execution in charge, and
this they will insist upon.
The present condition of the law relating
to the succession of the Presidency in the
event Of the death, disability, or removal
of both President and Vice-President, the
President says is such as to require imme-
diate amendment This subject has repeat
edly been considered by Congress, but no
result has been reached. The recent lament
able death of the. Vice President, and the
vacancies at the same time in all other Of
fees, the incumbents of which might imme-
diatelv exercise the functions of Presiden-
tial office, has caused public anxiety and
lust demand that the reOccurrence OF such
condition of affairs should not be permitted.
In conclusion the President says: COM
mend to the care and thoughtful attention
of Congress, the needs, welfare and aspira-
tions of an intelligent and generous nation.
To subordinate these to the narrow advan-
tages of partisanship, or the accomplishment
of selfish aims, is to violate the peoples
trust and betray the peoples interests, but
in an individual sense of responsibility on
the part of each of US, and the stern de-
termination to perform our duty we'll, must
give us place among those who have added
in their day and generation to the glory
and prosperity of our beloved land.
GROVER CLEVELAND.