Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1886-06-25
The True Democratic Position.


Randall in the course Of the debate on the
Legislative Executive and Judicial appro-
priation bill should be read by every Demo
crat. They contain the cold truth about
the humbug TO which the Democrats in the
House partially committed themselves three
years ago when the Hon. S. 5. Cox, in a
spirit of merry bravado and irresponsible
waggery, led the rush TO put through the
Pendleton bill without debate:
at has been alleged that these amend
ments are for the purpose of destroying the
Civil Service law. | maintain that the two
propositions which the amendment contains
have no such object, and that when they
come 10 be inserted in the law, or TO be made
part of the regulations in any other way,
they will operate on both parties alike with
out any partisanship whatever.
First as to age limitation: that is not u
part of the law which gentlemen are here
Boosting they voted for, and | venture the
assertion that if there had been clause in
the Act Of Jan. 10, 1888, which proposed to
prescribe the American citizen after he had
reached the age Of thirty or forty five
from being eligible 10 public station, there
is not man here who will say that he
would have voted for such provision.
How did that get inn 1t got in at the will
of single individual, and no man has had
the courage 10 utter here, either yesterday
or to-day, a sentiment in favor Of that part
of the regulations or against the committee
amendment which applies to it,"
That single individual is Dorman b. Eaton,
who has made civil service reform the syno.
nym for boredom, priggsh humbug, and
junketing at the public expense.
allow does this matter operateP We may
safely draw the conclusion that the Ian
guage to which | have referred was in.
serted in the regulations for the purpose of
excluding from examination members OF
one political party. Let me illustrate this
There is not man who was connected with
the administration of this Government in
1851 and removed because of his politics or
for other reasons who is not by this regula
ton debarred at this time from examination,
Notwithstanding the fact his experience in
previous years and his subsequent culture
and development might capacitate him for
being more efficient officer than any now
In the service. Nay, more, the very effect
of this regulation is To exclude more than
half of the people who vote for US as Repre-
sentatiyes from the possibility of securing
any position within the classified service OF
this Government.
"Do YOU tell me we should not assail that
ruler | say that now and in the future, here
and everywhere, will agitate the repeal oi
30 monstrous, So unjust, SO indeiensible "A
proposition"
The Democrats of the House were with
Mr.. Randall, and they were with him when
he went on to say;
"This Civil Service law was made by
Congress. The power of legislation rests
here The one man to whom | have r.
ferred has undertaken to legislate ami ~
deprive Congress Of that power which should
be lodged only here. speak with dcibera'
ton, aud want the Chief Executive OF this
Government 10 hear what have 10 say on
this subject. What say in regard 10 this
Is no assault on the President; but affirm
to-day that the representatives of the pep
pie, by the enactment Of these regulations,
have been deceived and cheated, have been
deprived OF rights which, standing here,
they ought 10 have defended in behalf of
the people who sent them here as their rep.
resentatives."
On the second outrage which Dorman Is
Eaton incorporated In the so.called civil ser
vice regulations, and which a Democratic
President has approved and still retains 10
full force, alter more than a years expert
ence OF its workings, Mr.. Randall said
"While we do not desire any abridgment
Of the right of the Executive and those nn-
der him with reference TO appointments yet
we do not think 1t proper TO permit these
three members Of the Civil Service Commits.
sion to exercise the prerogative Of sending
20 the appointing power only four names
from which selections must be made. Re-
member that this regulation is no part Of
the law. We propose 10 say that every
man who under the law is eligible, who
upon examination secures an average above
60, may be selected for appointment, II the
appointing power, in its wisdom, shall dis
cover him 70 possess the mental and physi.
cal qualifications for the particular ofilce
which he seeks"
These words might well form part Of the
platform Of the Democracy in is coming
struggle TO throw off the incubus that has
settled so heavily upon its breast, No Dem.
ocrat who deserves the name can doubt that
Mr.. Randall is right; but what a condition
OF affairs when one Of the foremost leaders
of the party in Congress is obliged TO as.
sumo the attitude Of a protestant agains,
alien and undemocratic influences which
have taken possession Of the party's chief
representative In Office, and nullifed the re.
suits Of victory 10 national election IN.
y. Sun.