Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-06


1 Civil service reform appears to be
making considerable progress. At the
meeting OF the ational Civil service Re
form League Mt Newport K. J., yesterday,
it was stated that the friends OF the re-
form had cause for rejoicing. Mr.. George
William Curtis, in his address, reviewed
the history Of civil service in this country
and the attempts maize to reform it.
More has been accomplished towards
/ putting the reform on a solid basis within
the last year than at any previous time
in the country's history. This is owing
! to the fact that the Presideatan his cab
met have acted not only up 10 the letter,
but, also, to the spirit Of the civil SER
vice law.
1t is pretty certain that II Mr.. Blaine
had been elected little, II any, respect
would have been pald 20 the civil service
law. He is a beiiegei9 IN the spoils sys-
TEN, and would have found way
to have annulled, practically the civil ser
vice law The election of Sir. Cleveland
saved the law from Becoming a dead let
ter. Being Conscientious and remember
ing his own promises and the promises OF
his party. he has done all that could rea-
sonably be expected OF him toward max
ing the civil service reform experiment a
success.
| There is. of course, a great deal of Op-
/ position to the civil service reform law
! but that is to be expected. No reform
( was ever undertaken probably that did
not encounter opposition. 1t would have
shown weakness on the part Of the Presi-
/ dent and his administration if he had
/ yielded to the clamor Of a few politicians
and ofiiceseekers, and sought ways to
/ evade, rather than to enforce, the law.
The people are supporting him in this
matter, and will continue to support him
as long as he remains true TO them and
their interests.
Those who object to civil service re-
form do not take into consideration the
danger that turks in the spoils system.
Making changes in the offices every four
years did not attract as much attention
when the nation was comparatively young
as it does now, because the number Of the
ofiiceholders was so small compared 10
what il is Al present. The number is now
over 100000, and they, with their friends
and relatives, could make quite a dis
| turbance if they were 50 disposed. On
! this point in his address yesterday,
MIR. Curtis said "But the whole
involving vast interests Of every kind can
not be arbitrarily and radically disturbed
at every point without the utmost cOnfu-
sion and mOnstrous loss and peril. The
change would become more and more the
cole and absorbing question Of the cleo
ton. The election would become at last
civil convulsion. a peaceful issue
would be always doubtful. With the rap
idly increasing range of patronage, and a
highly organized army of party stipen-
diaries distributed abOut the country and
supported by the public treasury, the
question Of the civil service would un-
doubtedly soon change from one of reform
to one Of revolution"
Mr.. Curtis does not state too strongly
the danger to be apprehended from max
! ing changes in all the offices whenever
| there is a change in the administration Of
the government.
1t VIII not be denied. perhaps, that all
the officials who occupy places of trust
and responsibility, and who can assist OF
retard reforms proposed by the admins.
tration, ought to be in sympathy with the
party in power. but there is no good
reason why the thousands Of employees
who I'LL only minor places should not be
selected for the public service on the
ground Of merit alone, and retained as
long as they are honest and capable.