Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1885-12-18
CTFIT. SERVJCE

ready lOr u SlrlCJ CIVIL service reform
law. There are too many republicans
i'm office who would likely be retained in
places they have obtained by question
able party services: but we do believe
that the time will come when Presi-
dent Cleyeland's ideas on tie subject
will be popular. twill not be, however,
sOOn-perhaps not for "a quarter of a
century. What does he say aSout civil
service reform? Well, he is decidedly
outspOken, and so herewith we give the
gist of that part &c lis message referr-
/ ing to It.
lie SAYS: - venture to
hope that we shG,l never again be re-
mitted TO the system which distributes
pubic positions purely as rewards for
partisan services. Doubts may well be
entertained whether u continuation of
this system which, upon every change
of administration. inspires an immense
army of claimants for Office to lay siege
tO the patronage of the government,
eugr0ssing the time Of public officers
with opportunities, spreading about the
contagion of their disappointment, and
filling the air with the tumult of their
discomfort. The allurements of an i'm
mCnse number of offices and places ex-
hiblted To- tie voters of the land and the
promise of their bestowal i'm recognition
of PARTISAN activity, debauch the stuff
rage and rob political action of its
thoughtful and deliberative character.
The evil would increase with the multi
plicatiOn of offices consequent upon our
extension and the mania for Office hold
ing. growing from its indulgence, would
pervaGe our population SO generally
that patriotic purpose, the support of
principles, the desire for the public
good and the solicitude for the natiou's
welfare. would he nearly banished from
oar party contests aud cause them To
degenerate into ignOble. selfish and dis
graceful struggles for the possession of
Office and public place.
Civil service reform enforced came
not too soon to check the progress of
decentralization. One of its effects, not
enough regarded. is the freedom it
brings To the political action of those
conservative and sober men who i'm fear
of the confusion and risk attending an
arbitrary and sudden change i'm all the
/ public officers with change of party
/ rule, cast their ballots against such u
/ chance. Parties seem To be necessary
and will continue To exist. nor can il be
now denied that there are legitimate
advantages connected with Office hold
ing which follow party supremacy.
While craftsmanship continues bold
and pronounced. and supplies SO much
of motive To sentiment and action. il 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 insist that they shall re-
~ In confidential and important cases
upon the work of those not only opposed
To them in political afliliation, but so
stepped in partisan prejudice and ran
cor that they have no loyalty to their
chiefs and no desire for their success.
Civil service reform does not exact this.
nor does IL require that tie insubordi-
mates positions who fail i'm yielding
their best service, or who are incOmpe-
tent, should be retained merely because
they are in place.
The whining of a clerk discharged
for Incidence or incompetency, who
though he gained his place by the worst
possible operation Of the spells system,
suddenly discovers that he is entitled to
protection under sanction of civil ser
vice reform, represents an idea no less
absurd than the clamOr of the applicant
who claims a vacant place as his COM
pensatiOn for the most questionable
party work.
The civil service law does not prevent
the discharge of the indolent or incom-
petent clerk, but it does prevent sup
plying his place with the unfit party
worker. Thus i'm both the phases is
seen benefit to the public service, and
the people who desire good government
having secured this statute will not re-
linquish its benefit 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 win insist upon"