The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-28

If for life or good behavior is to
be the rule, how easy it will be for
the son, with proper training, to sue
ceed the father, and for Office to be-
come a part of the family inheritance; :;
and is not such an arrangement as
good as & favored aristocratic class?
The English government, where fa-
voritism under the name Of civil
service has so long prevailed, will
not do for an example.
GOVERNMENT BY PARTIES.
1t is unphilosophica! to rail at par
ties, party spirit or government by
parties, for these are the natural and
legitimate outgrowth Of cur system of
government. There is certain sort
Of philosophy, or sense Of justice, on
the part Of the people which makes
them grant a sufficient lease of power
to every party in control until it has
fulfilled its destiny and become cor
rupt, which las has been humorously
indicated by Bill Arp seems TO be
the ultimate fate of all parties. I'm
der such a state Of affairs, and with
new ideas and issues before the coun-
try, what is more reasonable than
that the old party-like the dead
leaves Of forest-should be thrown
off altogether, so that the new re-
forms could be carried ou: without
being retarded by the indifference,
unwillingness. decentralization, or los
tility of the old?
Not only every office holder, but
every member Of q party in power,
should be made to feel the RESPONSE
bility resting upon it, to give the best
possible government, and when. after
q long lease Of power, and Of Office
holding, the party abuses its trust
and becomes corTGp!. it should be
turned out. with all Of its followers
and influence FOR example sake.
Party fealty, as an incentive to ac-
ton, is next to religious zeal with
the average American citizen.
OFFICE SEEKING.
1t has become-the fashion TO dccoy
and declaim against the desire for
office. and :'the civil service REFORM"
for life or good behavior "competi-
tive examination idea is beng held
up as the only true remedy. When
we remember that Eonor, power and
position are the rewards to be held
out By free people to those who dis
play the highest public spirit and pa
triotism. and the noblest self sacri.
flee and hcroism, in war or in peace
all Of which are far better tests Of
merit than any competitive cxamina-
ton. Then we begin to see that tie
struggle for Office is not such great
evil after all. Il is. indeed. one Of
the greatest Inducements for some
men to faithfully serve tie people,
who otherwise might have abused
their power, or been indifferent to
their praise or blame. Will not this
be the tendency when men hold their
positions for life or good behavior
and are not dependent upon party
or the people for their continuance in
office?
People generally. particularly in
the Democratic party. believed that
Democratic success meant that a
complete change was to be made, ex-
cept, perhaps, in some Of the doubt
full States, where the Independent
vote was to be conciliated. Consid.
cred from philosophical standpoint,
it is to be feared that the civil SER
vice policy is wrong in principle,
false in policy. and likely TO prove
injurious, not only to the Democratic
party, but, If persisted in, to the
whole country. II. /. FARLEY.