New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-09

The report of the Civil Service Commission which
will be submitted, contains account of the man.
ner IN which the Civil Service law has been executed
during the last year. and much valuable Infoma.
tion on this important subject.
Lam inclined to think that there is no sentiment
more general in the minds of the people Of
our country, than q conviction of the cor
rectness of the principle upon which the law en-
fsrcing Civil service reform based In its present
condition the law regulates only q part of the
subordinate public positions throughout tho
country Ii applies the test OF fitness to applicants
for these places by means of a competitive exami-
nation and gives large discretion to the Commits
sioners as to the character of tne examination and
MANY Their matters connected with Its execution.
rims the rules and regulations adopted BY tina
Commission have much to do with the practical
usefulness of the statute and with the results of its
Tne people may well trust the Commission N
execute he law with perfect fairness and with as
tte irritation as Is possible. but OF course no re-
taxation of the principle which underes IT,, and no
weakening of the safeguards which surround II can
be expected. Experience III It's administration will
nrobaby suggest amendment OF the methods of ire
execution but venture TO hope that We shall never
again be RENTED 10 the system which distributes
public positions purely AS rewards for partisan SER
vice Doubts may well be entertained whether onr
Government could survive the strain Of "A continn-
ance of TINS system which upon every change of
administration inspires an immense army of claim
ants Cor Office TO lay siege to the patron 90 of Coy
ernmeut engTOssIng the time Of public obi ,erS with
their importnnltes spreading abroad the contagiOn
o their disappointment, and hlnng the air with the
lumult of their discomfort.
The alluremcnts of an immense number of Offices
and places exhib ted to the voters OF the land and
he promise OF their bestOwal IN recognition OF par
tsan activity, debluch the Suifi age ana rob pOt-
cal action OF its thoughtful and dellberatve char
acteI. / he evil would increase with the multipli.
cation of Offices sequeDt upon our extension, and
the mania for ce-hOldiDg growing from its in
diligence. would pervade our population
so generally that patriotic purpose, the
public good, and solicltude Tor the Ma.
mons welfare. would be nearly banished from the
and
degenerate INTO lgnOble, selfish and disgracefu
stTugg for the possession OF ONCE and public
place. Civil Service reform, enforced by aw,
none to1 to check the progress of demOralZa-
ton. One of It's effects mot enouS regarded Is The
freedom 1t brings 10 the political action OF those
conservative and sober men who, IN FEAR OF the
confusion and risk attending arbitrary and sud
deu change al the public offices with change
of parry rule. cast their ballots against such a
chance
Parties seem TO be necessary, and will long
tnue to exist can IL be now aeDIed that there
are legitimate advantages, not disconnected with
Otiice-hodng. which follow party supremacy While
Dartisanshlp continues bitter and pronounced, and
supplies much of motive to sentiment and action,
If is not far 70 hold pub &c officials IN charge of
important trusts response Die for the best results In
the performance OF their dnles. and yet insist that
they shall rely IN confidential and Important
y aces upon the work of those not ONLY opposed TO
them in political aiaton. but so stepped III partl-
san prejudice and rancor that they have no loyalty
their chiefs and no desire for their success ClY
Service Reform does not exact TINS nor does ~ re,
uulre that those subordinate POSITIONS VINO tall
II Welding
tent should be retained simply because they ate IN
place. The whining OF clerk discharged for Indo
ence or incompetency who. though he gained biz
place by the worst possible opera ion Of the spOis
system suddenly d scOyers that he is entitled to
protection under the sanction of Civil Service re-
form represents an idea no less absurd than the
Clamor of the applicant who claims the vacant o.
sltiOn his compensation for the most questionable
party work.
| The Civil Service law does not prevent the dis
charge of the lndoent or incompetent clerk but 1t
does prevent supplying his place with the unfit
party worker. rhus, III both these phases Is Seen
benefit to the pubic service ana tine people WHO
desire good government having secured this stat
ute, will not Ienquish It's dement's W thOut protest
or are they unmIndfu OF the fact that full adj
vantages can only be gained through the complete
good faith of Il Ose having It's execution III charge;
aud this they will insist upon recommend that
the salaries of the Civil Service Commissioners
be increased to a sum more nearly commensurate
TO their important duties.
LIBRARY or CONGRESS.
1t is n of considerable and not unnatural
discomfort that no adequate provision has YET been
made for accommodating the principal library Of
the Government. OF the vast collection of books
and pampnlers gathered at the Capitol. nnmber-
ing some seven hundred thousand, exclusive Of
manuscripts maps, and the products OIL
the graphic arts. also OF great volume
AID value, only about three hundred
thousand volumes OF less than hat the cOllecuCn,
are provided with sheli-rOOm. The Others, which
are increasing at the rate OF from twenty-five 10
thirty thousand volumes year, are not oal, mac
l
damage and Deterioration from other causes IN
their present situation.
\ con>'d eratl n OF the fact that the library OF
the Capitol has twice been DESTROYED OF
damaged by fire. IT, daily increasing
y yp1s and Of is 5so, imPaF'2GGsO
to copyright make mani. est tie necessity OF prompt
action TO insure It's proper ommodatlon and pro
lection.
THE FEDERAL DISTRICT.
Nv attention has been called to a contro versy
laiing to railroad facilities in the city of Washing
ton. when has involved the Commissioners OF The
Distinct IN much annoyance and trouble. [ hope
this difficulty viii be promptly settled by appropri.
dtc legislation.
Tie Commissioners represent that enough of the
revenues of the DlsIUc, are now on deposit IN the
Treasury OF the United States to repay the SUN
advanced by the Government for sewer improve
mems under the act OF June 30 lSSh They desire
now an advance OF the share which ultimately
should be borne by the District OF the cost of eX.
ten>lye Improvements TO the streets OF the city.
the total expense of these 90 ntempatei improve.
mentS Is estimated al 81 900 O0O ANA hey aIc OF
the opinion that cons dcrah.e sum could 10 saved
If they had he money all IN hand 50 thar coz
tracts tor tho whole work could be made AZ the
same time. Incy express confidence that If the al
vance asked for shou d be made the Government
would be reimbursed the sam. within rei~0lt)le
tim. have no doubt that these Improvements
could be made much cheaper II Undertaken together
and prosecuted according 10 4 general plan.
The license law now IN force within the district
is deficient and uncertain IN some Of us PROVISIONS
and ought to b. amended The Comm ,SonerS ur-'
with good reason the necessity of prov dIh- OutG-
Ing for the use of the District Government mich
shall better secure the safety and Preservation u
Its valuable books and records
TIE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
The present condition of the law relating TO the
succession to the Presidency IN the event ri the
death, disability or removal OF both the President
and NIcc-PreSident is such as TO require immediate
amendment. This subject has repeatedly been
considered by Congress- int no r,su { has been
reached The recent lamcltable death OF 10
Nlce-PreSidcnt, and vaca Icles at the same tine ~
all other oil g, the mcumhents OF winch mglt
Immediately exercise the tuuctIonS OF the Ir''l-
dental Office, has caused publc anxiety and Just
demand that a recurrence OF such a condition OF
affairs should not be permitted.
CONCLUSION.