National Republican., 1885-11-16
A Very Serious Question.

concord MONITOR
Several days ago the Associated Press
published what purported to be an inter
view with President Cleveland. This inter
view represented the President us having
decided upon such radical changes In the
administration Of the civil service law that
its authenticity was not unnaturally ques-
toned. A denial by the President has heen
awaited with more or less confidence. The
denial has not come. On the contrary, there
has been developed in the interim sufficient
corroboration Of the substance of the inter-
view to make 1t seem probable that the
Presidents views were correctly reported
The change alleged to be favored by the
President consists In the substitution of
what is known as the "passn examination
in place Of competitive examination.
That is to say, all applicants who pass at all
stand upon an equal footing. The names
of all who pass are sent in, and the choice
may be made from the whole number, To
illustrate, II the prescribed per cent. Is 65,
and thirty applicants pass, with per cents
ranging from 100 down to the minimum,
the thirtieth man, who gets only 65, is
equally eligible with the first on the list,
who gets 100 Political or personal inilu-
ence must then determine the choice.
OF course such an administration of the
civil service law practically destroys 1t. IL
defeats the object of the law, and makes
was especially and specifically directed
The principal object Of the civil service act
was the enforcement of the public service
from political influence and partisan con-
troll. The securing of personal efficiency
was secondary and subordinate. Not that
personal efficiency is not important, and
even Indispensable, but the law was not
needed for that purpose. The duties at
taching to the offices which come under the
law are not so difficult and intricate that
any man Of fair ability and respectable edu-
cation cannot perform them. There was no
considerable complaint on this score under
the old law So far as this consideration
was concerned, 1t is not probable that new
legislation would have been demanded. The
chief object, as we have Just stated, was to
take the subordinate Offices out of the
hands OF the politicians. This object was,
in turn, two-fold: First. to secure that per-
manency of tenure which is requisite TO the
highest success, but which was found to be im-
possible of attainment under the old system;
and, second, toprevent cheap and nm
worthy class of politicians from securing,
and maintaining by an unscrupulOus use of
the immense power OF patronage, that con-
trolling influence in practical politics to
which their merits did not entitle them.
The country had become weary of the rule
OF the postoflice potentates and crossroads
statesmen, and to this fact, probably more
than to all else, was due the passage of tho
civil service act.
IL stands to reason that neither this nor
any other purpose OF the law can bo sub
served under the system of pass eXamna-
tions. The change which the administra-
tion is said TO contemplate would restore
the civil service to partisan control, would
be clear evasion of the spirit of the law,
and would result in its practical repeal.
II is not necessary to discuss the question.
There are not two sides TO It, and there
can be but one opinion concerning 1t. II
President Cleveland and his party wish
to abolish the competitive principle as ap.
piled to the civil service, let them set
about II openly, honorably, through the
legitimate means OF legislation. They have
no right to strangle II, no right to slay it
10y indhection, aud attempt to do SO will
meet with the swift aud sweeping denuncl-
alton Of all honest men. From n partisan
rOint Of view, Republicans may well regard
lie proposed change with eOmplacency.
Iut It is moro than n party question 1t is
n question of whether tho country shall re-
trogNdc, whether II shall go back three
Years aud wipe out all the progress that
LES Eeen made In that time.
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