Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-03-13
"FEED MY SHEEP"


Now that President Cleveland has been
inauguated and the Democrats have full
control of the general government, there is
no question more popular or more profound
ly agitated by the Republicans throughout
the country than the one of civil service
reform.
@Brick" Pomeroy, 30 widely known as an
able and enterprising journalist, and whose
fealty TO Democratic principles has been a
lifelong devotion, in the first issue OF his
new paper, the United States Democrat, just
started at Washington, in q strong and
lengthy editorial on the outrages and enor-
mites Of the civil service law, says;
1.-THE highest idea of civil service yet ad
vanced was the one set forth by Jefferson
in the triplicate question:: is he honest? Is
he faithfulp Is be capabler
These nine words are all there is Of civil
service, and no other test Is ever needed In
government Of the people.
The idea Of the 30 called civil service en-
actment now numbering the statute bt'oks
as we know from the originators Of 1t, was
to draw line Of demarkation Just above
the reach of the common herd as q stepping
stone TO the higher advancement of the
rich and deeper debasement of the poor
It's intention was TO secure places for COL
lege-bred gentility over sturdy democratic
honesty, and thus prepare the way for q
gilt-edge, Dude-draped aristocracy that, IN
der the name Of Republicanism, was to sup
ercede Democracy
Intelligence Is ever commendabic, but
not always honest or fitted for position Of
trust. The dog that keeps thieves away
from clothes line or rats out of barn, is
of far more account than the embcllished
canine that merely ornaments hearth rug.
The man who does his work as well as It
can be done, though not up in some other
matters or deep in among dead languages,
cannot possibly be bettered by another for
that position, no matter what 1t may be-
The custodian Of public funds or publ, pro-
perry who can keep it till properly called
for, is better for the people than the gilt
edge sharper who talks French. Canadian,
and who can cross the frontier without dis.
turbing an officer.
1.-THE salvation of country rests in its
foundations of sturdy honesty and practi-
cal common sense.
"The present civil service law, ranging as
fungus OF legislative enactments, was in
tended to protect Republican favorites from
any invasion OF Democratic honesty and
disposition To open the books for inspection.
Civil Service Reform means the TRANSMISSION
OF honest intentions into veins which so
long have run with corruption, not in gilt.
tering generosities. We assert without fear
OF contradiction that there is not in the Civil
Service commission an examiner OF appli
cants who can without book before him
answer three-fourths Of the absurd ques.
t,..s
is not Senator or Congressman who can
answer them all correctly. But there was
never republican President who could cor
rectly answer one half the interrogatories
propounded with ludicruus solemnity 10 the
coached aspirant for official place, profit and
honor.
while there are in place many Republi-
cans whose services are valuable 10 the gov
eminent, and who should be retained be-
cause they are Of value, there are actors in
place who have passed Civil Service exam
nations who are entirely unfit for their po-
sitions, and who should be permitted to 20
home, even as Uncle Toby let the fly dc.
part.
"Civil Service does not consist in stringing
sons, daughters, wives, cousins, aunts, nieces,
nephews, grandmothers, and all manner oil
blood relatives on pay roll, IA has been
done by Civil Service rformers here in
scores Of instances"
We deeply regret that we have not space
for the entire article tits good Democratic
doctrine, and just and whitening sarcasm
upon gianthumbug of Civil Service law
We were educated to the doctrine that "to
the victor belongs the spoils." and we dc
not intend 10 90 back upon that education
either in IFS spirit or letter. Mr.. Clay said
To Gen. Harrison, universal prescription,
Mr.. President" and we say To President
Cleveland, as Mr.. Pomeroy says in conclu.
sion: "As Christ put it: If you love me,
feed my sheep"