The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-12-17

CONTINUED from hrst page.l
In the methods Of doing the business Of
this bureau, which have lately been inaTl-
Qurated promise better results in both Of
These directions.
PoLF6AMY.
In the Territory of g tab the Law OF the
tnited States passed for the suppression
IN polygamy has been energetically and /
Faithfully executed during the past year
with measnTably good results. "A humber /
|of convictions have been secured for UNI
lawful cohabitaIi0n, and in some cases
pleas of guilty have been entered and a |
slight punishment imposed, upon prom |
Use by the accused that they would not /
again offend against the law, nor advise, |
counsel, aid or abat in any way its viola |
tion by others.
The Utah Commissioners express the
opinion, based upon such information as
they are able to obtain, that but few pe-
lygamous marriages have taken place in
the Territory during the last year. They
further report that while there cannot be
found upon tie registration lists of voters
the name OF q man actually guilty OF POI
lygamy, and while none of that class are
holding Office, yet at the last election in
the Territory all the officers elected ex-
cept III one county, were men who, though
not actually living in the practice OF POI
lygamy, subscribe TO the doctrine of po-
lygamous marriages as divine revelation
and law unto all, higher and more bind
ing upon the conscience than any human
law, local or national. Thus is the strange
spectacle presented of community pro-
tected by republican form Of govern
ment, to which they owe allegiance, sus-
tanning by their suffrages a principle and
g of hat <a1al tfra
tloa OF absolute obedience to the law OF
the land which lies at TIE foundation ofre-
publican institutions.
There is no feature of the practice, or
the system which sanctions it, which is
not opposed to all that is of value in our
institutions. There should be no relaxa-
ton in the firm but just execution Of the
law now IN operation, and / should be
glad to approve such further discreet leg
islation as will rid the country Of this
blot upon its fair name. Since the people
upholding polygamy in our Territories
are reinforced by immigration from other
lands, recommend that a law be passed
to prevent the importation of Mormons
into the country.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
am inclined to think that there is no
sentiment more general in the minds of
the people Of our country than conyic-
ton of the correctness OF the principle
upon which the law enforcing civil service
reform is based. In its present condition
the law regulates only a part Of the suber-
dinate public positions throughout the
country. 1t applies the test of fitness to-
applicants for these places by means of a
competitive examination, and gives large
discretion to the Commissioners as to the
character of the examination and many.
other matters connected with its execu-
ton. Thus the rules and regulations
adopted by the Commission have much to
do with the practical usefulness of the stat
ute and with the results OF. its execution.
The people may well trust the Commits
sion to execute the law with perfect fair
ness and with as little irritation as is pos
Slble. But of course no relaxation of the
principle which underlieS it and no weak
ening of the safeguards which surround it
can be expected Experience IN its adj
ministration will probably suggest amend
ment of the methods of its execution, but
I venture to hope that we shall never
again be remitted to the system which
distributes. public positions purely as re-
wards for paEtizan service. Doubts may
well be entertained whether our govern
ment could survive the strain of a contin-
uance of this system which upon every
change of administration inspires an inn
mense army of claimants for Office to lay
siege to the patronage of the government.
engrossing the time of public officers with
their opportunities, spreading abroad the
contagion Of their disappointment and
filling the air with / hetumult of their dis
content.
DANGERS OF TILE SPOILS SYSTEM.
The allurernentS OF an immense number
Of Offices and places exhibited to the voters
of the land, and the promise of their be-
stowal in recognition of partisan activity,
debauch the suffrage and rob political ac-
ton of its thoughtful and deliberate char
aeter. The evil would increase with the
multiplication of offices consequent upon
our extension, and the mania for office
holding, growing from its indulgence,
would pervade our population SO generally
that patriotic purpose, the support of prin
Gixae, the desire for the public good and
solicitude for the nation s welfare would
be nearly banished from the activity Of oul
party contests and cause them to degener
ate into ignoble, selfish and disgracefu
struggles for the position of office and pub
lie place.
Civil service reform enforced by Law
came none too soon to check the progre S!
of decentralization.
One of its effects, not enough regarded
is the freedom it brings to the political
action of those conservative and sobel
men who, in fear of the confusion and risl
attending an arbitrary and sudden change
in all the public offices with change oi
party rule, cast their ballots against sucl
a chance.
PARTIES AND THE PUBLIC.
Parties seem to be necessary and vii
long continue to exist: nor can it be now
denied that there are legitimate advan
tages, not disadvantages, not disconnected
with office-hoiding, which follow party
supremacy While partisanship CONTINUES
bitter and pronounced and supplies 81
much of motive to sentiment and action
it is not fair to hold public officials, il
charge of important trusts, responsible fo
the best results in the performance o.
their duties and yet insist that they shall
rely, in confidential and important places
upon the work of those not only opposed
to them in political sffiliation, but 81
STEPPED in partisan prejudice and rance
that they have no loyalty to their chief
and no desire for their success. Civil ser
vice reform does not exact this, nor doe
it require that those in subordinate posi-
tions who fail in yielding their best ser
vice or who are incompetent should be re
tanned simply because they are in place
The whining of clerk discharged for 10
do1ence or incompetency, who, though b
gained his place by the worst possible op
Grafton of the spoils system, suddenly dis
covers that he is entitled to protection
unQeI Gue SdHcllON Ol civil beTF1c6 IelOI III
represents an idea no less absurd than tn
clamor of the applicant who claims th
vacant position as his compensation 70
the most questionable party work.
The civil service law does not proven
the discharge of the indolent Or incom
petent clerk, but it does prevent supplyin
his place with the unfit party worker
Thus. in both these phases, is seen benefi
to the public service And the people VIII
desire good government having secure
this statute will not reinquish its benefit
without protest. N or are they unmindfu
of the fact that its full advantages ca
tlarc1,frl The. c1,,,aI,latlz