Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-06-13
NATIONAL PROBLEMS.
ARTICLE XIV.
THE CIVIL sERyICE-THREE YEARS
OF THE REFORM.
where Partisanship il and is Not Proper
Tho Merit system-opportunity OF
the Democracy.
ny THE non. DoRMAN b. EATON.
Copyrighted, 1856.

COpyrlgntedf lNop
What do we mean by civil-service re.
form2 What have been the results OF It's
trial for the last three years? What are
its promise and prospects, l propose to
answer these questions so far as my lin.
It's viii permit.
Partisans universally regard this re-
form as an impractlcable scheme Of y!s-
ionary but, perhaps, benevolent dream
erg. for giving effect 20 their own hob
bies, or, at best, for attaining results
altogether impossible, II not undesirable,
in politics. Demagogues, patronage
mongers and party managers generally,
finding 1t hostile in spirit and obstructive
in effect, TO everything they most desire,
denounce II as fatal 10 parties and incom-
patible with Republican institutions. A
great body Of well meaning, but not well
informed people, having no definite In
formation on the subject, 80 far as they
are not Indifferent to the public interests,
are yet In great doubt what they should
believe concerning It. They are perplexed
and very curious as they see 1t more and
more arresting pubic attention and be-
coming leading issue in politics.
II definition Is desired, we may say that
cvil-seryice reform Is the enforcement of
certain practical methods In admlnlstra-
tion, which bave been found most effect.
i've for bringing into the public service
the best character and capacity, ire
spectlye Of political opinions or influence,
which offers to work for the compensa-
ton provided by law. 1t makes personal
merit, Instead OF partisan interests or
official favor, the decisive test for APP
pointments. IL Is also one of the para
mount objects OF the reform to suppress
political assessments, that most corrupt
ing kind OF partisan and official despOtsm
and robbery, through which great officers
and politicians have compelled the hum
bic servants OF the government to
contribute from their salaries vast sums
OF money, which party managers have
used for bribing voters, buying the
press, carrying elections and keeping
themselves and their camp-followers In
Office.
A glance at the structure OF the govern
ment will not only give US a clearer view
OF the meaning OF civil-service reform,
but II will show whether the charges that
IL is fatal to parties and rcpugnant to our
Institutions have any foundation.
Government, both federal and state, is
In three branches-the legislative, the ex-
ecutlve and the judicial. No sound rea-
son justifies, and few candid persons
favor the selection Of judicial officers for
political reasons. Political opinions are
not qualifications for the bench. The
less partisan the better the Judge. A
party is public enemy whenever 1t at
tempts TO control
THE DECISIONS OF THE COURTS
The legislator IL a representative Off
Ger, both Of opinions and interests. In
order to secure u representation of their
opinions and interests in congress and
legislatures, the people act through par
ties and by majorities. Party majoritles
elect all senators and representatives,
make all laws, levy all taxes, provide
all the means and methods by and
through which the vast affairs of govern
ment are carried on, Here, where no civil
service rules or examinations apply or
can apply, and where political opinions
and sound principles are very material
qualifications for office, party action has
its true and grand sphere--broad and ex-
allied enough for the Hottest ambition
In which the material industry, the in
ternal and foreign policy, and the educa-
tlonal and moral development Of the
nation secure their support.
Turning, lastly, to the executive de-
P"'t"Snei We hhu ~ MAUI up Vi bWO
parts-a president and vice-presldent Cor
governor ana ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS or
mayor, etc.) on the one hand, who are
ooth elective and representative officers
and on the other hand, vast number OF
appointed suoordinates In the depart.
ments OF washington and the postoiiices,
customs olnces, internal revenue and
otner oihces, all over the Union. These
suoordlnates are engaged In executive
WORK, wmch mas no legitimate relations
Win party politics, for the proper doinl
OF wmcn, polticai opinions or partisan
zeal OF ACTIVITY are not In the least quail
ncatons' This work should be done II
the same way, whatever party may be II
power, or whoever may be president o
governor or mayor. book-keeper,
weigher, an Inspector, clerk or letter
carrier-what Is he but mere bushes
agent without any official relation what
ever with party politicsy But the presi
dent and the governor and their prope
advisers are strictly representative OIL
GERS, and the former, having part OF tn
law-making authority, are elective by til
political majority, II is the duty Of sue
oillcers to carry out faithfully the pole
and principles approved by the people 1
ala La. n.