Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-27
Mr. JoHxsoN's RETURN TO THE SENATE.

ne mad leIt on IN lle ETesIuSHCt W. WVcA~
after the session convened he seized the &C.
casion of q resolution relating to Louisiana
affairs to recount some incidents in his own
administration, and gave to his whole speech
the color of a vindictive attack upon Presi-
dent Grant. The motive was somewhat con-
cealed under decorous language, but the at
tack was nevertheless personal and direct.
He assaulted Sheridan's military administration
In Louisiana, defended that of General Ham
cock, accused Presided Grant of designing to
seize third term of his office, imputed evil
motives to him for accepting gifts from
friends, considered the liberties of the coun-
try in danger from his administration, and
thought that his tyranny was not concealed
by the gloved hand. He seemed to have
nursed his wrath during the six years he had
passed in private life, and to have aspired to
the Senate simply for the revival Of animosi-
ties and for the renewal of controversies with
those for whom he cherished special hatred.
rhe impression made upon the Senate and
upon the country by Mr.. Johnson's speech
was unpleasant. His anger, peculiarly unbe-
coming his years and his station, was directed
especially against the man who would not
follow him in his desertlon of the party which
had elevated him to power. At least twice
before, in the history of the Federal Govern
ment, it had been demonstrated that Presi-
dent who for any cause runs counter to the
views and wishes of the party that elected
him is doomed to disappointment, and is for.
tunate if he escape disgrace. Mr. Johnson
had drunk the cup of humiliation to its dregs,
and the remaining energies of his life seemed
now devoted to the punishment, or at least
the denunciation, of those who had obstructed
and defeated his policies while President.
Revenge is always an ignoble motive, pa-don-
able, if at all, when inspired by the hot blood
of youth, but to be regarded as not only
lamentable but pitiable in men who approach
threescore and ten. The extra session closed
on the oath of March. Mr. johnson did not
live to resume his seat. On the last day of
the ensuing July C875) he died peacefully at
his home in East Tennessee among friends
who had watched his progress from poverty
and illtsracy to the highest position in the
Republic. He was in the sixty-seventh year
of his age.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
The settled judgment Of discreet men in
both political parties is adverse to the custom
of changing non-politcal officers on merely
political grounds. They believe that it i'm
pairs the efficiency of the public service,
lowers the standard of political contests. and
brings reproach upon the government and the
people. SO decided is this opinion among
the great majority of republicans and among
a very considerable number of democrats,
that the former method of appointment will
always meet with protest, and cannot be per-
manently re-established. The Inauguration
of r new system is hindered somewh hat by an
honest difference of opinion touching the best
methods of selecting subordinate officers
Competitive examination is the method most
" a r m nd cd nd f,n
the fairest; yet every observing man knows
that it does not always secure the results
most to be desired. Nothing is vouched for
more frequently by chiefs of government bu-
reaus, than that certain clerks who upon com
petitive examination would stand at the head
do in point of efficiency and usefulness stand
at the loot Another point of difference is in
regard to the power of instant removal, many
of the most pronounced retormers of the civil
service holding that power to be essential,
and believing that it will not be abused so
long as the removing power cannot arbitrarily
appoint the successor. The matured opinion
of others is that tenure of office definitely
fixed for term of years, during which the
incumbent cannot be disturbed except upon
substantial written charges, will secure a
better class of officials. Thew hold that
a subordinate officer is stripped of
that he may at any moment be removed
at the within CT caprice of some one superior
IN station. 1t TOO often brings sycophauts
into the Government Departments, and ex-
cludes men of pride aud character. On the
question OF a life tenure there is similar
division of opinion. which logically follows
| the two positions just stated. A life tenure
cannot be adopted as a rule unless pensions
for a civil list shall follow.
There is also belief with many who are
most anxious to improve the civil service,
that the political influence of Government
patronage, as applied to the whole country
has been constantly misunderstood and there
fore exaggerated. In certain places where
the customs and postal services are large the
appointing power can no doubt WELD great
influence. New York City is the strongest
illustration of this; and in less degree sim
liar influence is recognized at all the large
cities of the country, especially the cities of
the seaboard. But even at those points the
political influence of the Federal patronage
is far less than that of the municipal patron
age. During the many years that the pat
ronage, both of National and State govern
ments, has been in the hands of the repuhli
cans in New York, the municipal patronage,
steadily welded by the democrats, has been far
more potential in controlling elections. And
throughout the United States to-day the pat
rousge controlled bv municipal governments
largely outweighs in the aggregate that of the
General and State governments at all points
where they come in conflict. No reform in the
civil service will be valuable that does not re-
lease members of Congress from the care and
the embarrassment of appointments; and no
boon so great could be conferred upon sena-
! tors and representatives as to relieve them
| from the worry, the annoyance and the re-
/ spon>ibility which time and habit have fixed
upon them in connection with the dispensing
of patronage, all OF which belongs, under the
constitution to the executive. On the other
hand, the evil of which President Harrison
spoke-the employment of the patronage by
the executive to influence legislation-is far
the greatest abuse to which the civil service
has ever been perverted. To separate the
two great departments OF the government, to
keep each within its own sphere, will be an
Unreasonable advantage and will enhance the
character and dignity of both. non-politl-
| cal service will be secured when Congress
shall be left to its legitimate functions, when
the President shall not interfere Herewith BY
the use of patronage, and when the RESPONSE
bility of appointments shall rest solely with
the department to which the organic law of
the republic assigns it.
| TWENTY YEARS OF NATIONAL HIsroRY.
| The national government has in these
J twenty years proved its strength in war, its
conservatism in peace. The self restraint
which the citizens of the republic exhibited