National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-06
uPuoLDs TIE REFORM.

Expresses His Loyalty to the President
Platform TO Carry Out Civil Service
Reform.
Mr.. William RufIln Cox, OF North Caro-
lima, the chairman Of the House committee
on reform In the civil service, has been re-
peatedly asked TO define his position on the
great question of civil service, but has
maintained a silence to all such requests
views as follows to the Brooklyn Union
correspondent
There is much general misapprehenslon
and prejudice in regard TO what is known
as the civil service law, which Is simply an
act to put into effect the old Jeffersonlan
doctrine Of honesty and capacity for public
trusts. This misapprehension arises from
the employment Of what is insisted are
impracticable scholastic tests for admission
into the service, and the rule In regard to
the age Of applicants. 1t should never be
borne in mind that the law does not pre-
scribe these qualifications, but expressly
declares that such examinations shall be
as practical as may be and such as will test
the fitness Of the person for the service he
seeks to enter, and 1t is silentas to age. To
repudiate the law for the manner Of its ad-
ministration is as unreasonable as to con-
denim a statute because YOU find fault with
the Judge.
",rhe time at which the law was enacted
aroused the apprehensions, III not preju-
dices, Of many Democrats, from which
plead no exemption, and preconceived
opinions are most difficult to combat. This
is exempted even among the enlightened
members OF the bar, whore, as a rule, the
old members will cling TO the most crude
and obsolete precedents, from which they
are only emancipated by the new and Wig
orous blood Of their juniors Even parties
are often disposed to linger in old ruts and
cling to useless theories until dfspossessed
by those who present living reforms and vital
issues.
"Many members Of the new dominant
party fear that this law may prevent them
from obtaining that equitable distribution
of the Offices to which 1t is entitled, and de-
mand its absolute repeal, which would be
like one who should take his own life be-
cause, forsooth, he was disappointed in
some love affair. Every rejecting man at
| all familiar with the abuses OF the former
system will concede that the purpose of the
| law is good. Then why not amend instead
| OF repeating itY This law does not prevent
the dominant party from getting its full
| quota Of offices, but 1t does prevent in
|
| ties into the classified service. II provides
test Of merit, and not political intrigue,
among party friends. !, as Democrat,
| believe that parties are indispensable to a
wholesome administration OF public affairs.
"When the people invite party to sur
render the reins OF power to another, the
chiefs Of every bureau at least, should be
in accord with the administration, to secure
full and fair investigation and exposure
of abuses which may exist, and that the
people may know that nothing is held back,
nothing concealed
"This law does not prevent the President
from making all such changes as he may
think proper. 1t would be unconstitu.
tional II 1t did. There are over 90, 900 Offices
to which this law does not apply, and which
may be filled as heretofore These embrace
all the local offices, such as postmasters
route agents, &C., and the higher and lower
positions at Washington. There are about
1900 clerkships at Washington, New York,
and other important points, to which the
law applies, and the Democrats will get a
due proportion Of these. This law will not
keep the rascals in of whatever class
they may be, and would repudiate 1t If II
did.
"Again, the law does not prevent the
President from removing any officer
whether he comes under the civil service
laws or otherwise.
"Both parties have time and again gone
before the country as advocates OF genuine
civil service reform, and II this is not sucl
II behooves us to endeavor to make 1t So
which cannot be done by repeating the law,
Gov. Tilden, in his letter Of acceptance
earnestly and forclbly denounced the mer
cenary traffic in offices, and showed the
necessity for some reform. SO did Ptesi
dent Cleveland, whose election Is believed
TO he largely due TO his convictions on this
subject.
Gas an administration Democrat It I:
MY purpose to sustain the President In Civ
ing this law fair trial, and by proper leg
islation covering such defects III 1t as sucl
trial may disclose. / should as sooT
think OF deserving friend whom had led
into battle as TO hinder one who is endeay
oring to FULFILL my political pledges.
"The civil service commission is to aid
not control, the President In makingp proper
selections for clerical duties. 1t has beer
changed ecently TO conform to the views
Of the dominant party will not embar
rass but aid 1t and the President In al
proper efforts to purify and elevate the
public service, for the more capable and
efficient pre- the public servants the lighter
win be the burdens Of the taxpayers. Blu
few, at most, can Obtain public positions
aud the government must be administered
for the benefit of the people and not {
favored official class.
"No one claims that this law is perfect
II would be singular II such a tentatlv,
measure should be. II needs.amendment-
perhaps importatant amendments, and they
will doubtless be made.
"Its repeal, however, is mpossible, and {
serious attempt now looking to such ar
accomplishment would result IN division, 4
not disaster, to the party attempting 1t
For the people are not forgetful OF thu
fragrant abuses practiced under the spoil
system OF the Republican party"