The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1886-12-18
A BROAD DISTINCTION.

The English Reform OT the civil service
as Compared with That of the United
States.
The absurd and dishonest manner in
which Mr.. Blaine following the corre-
spondent of the New York 1'ribunc.
has tred to misreprescnt the purpose
and nature of the investigation into
the English civil service has had one
good effect. 1t has called attention to
the essential features of the reformed
service both in England and in this
country, and has led to better under
standing of the differences between
the two, and especially of the practical
nature of our own system. The
changes that have been brought about
in the two countries have had some
things in common, but they have also
varied with the causes that produced
them. In both eases the principle of
admission by open competition and
subsequent probation was adopted;
but in England the evil to be remc-
died was favoritism. partly based on
lilies and partially springing from
the use of offices to purchase votes
in Parliament. while in this coun-
try the evil was chiefly partisan
favoritism combined with certain
amount of chicanery on the part of
the distributors of patronage. The
difficulties in which the English system
is involved do not arise at all from the
competitive principle, though there
have been mistakes in its application.
but largely from the aristocratic bias
that has survived the reform and
which has tended to form sort OF
hierarchy in the service. This in turn
has been rendered more intlexible and
unmanageable by the system of pen
sions dependent chiefly on length of
service which is still fixed part of the
English plan. These elements have
combined to make the English service
bureaucratic, with the incidents Of red
tape, tmidity, rigidity and lack of
"gO' natural to bureaucracy.
On the other hand, the difficulties to
which the reformed portion of our
service is exposed and it must be re-
membered that it is still very small
portion-are of quite another character.
They spring from the innate tendency
of the American mind in any occupa-
ton to depend upon its own resources.
to neglect system and strict order. and
to depend on ingenuity, energy and
decision to meet emergencies as they
arise. The American system requires,
therefore. precisely the opposite treat
mcnt to the English. 1t needs clear
and uniform rules, firmly and fairly
enforced. with constant and vigilant
supervision and the greatest cons,sten-
cy in the application of the rules.
There is no danger of bureaucracy here.
The men employed in public work do
not tend that way; the source of regu-
lation, namely, the legislation of Con-
gress, is too variable to permit
it, and finally the American people
would not suffer 1T in service over
| which they have ultimate. though in
direct, control. The common terms
used by the two races indicate the
wide difference in their temper in
these matters. The Englishman
"growls," the American "kicks, p"
and the office-holders with us are al
ways so intimately connected with the
general public, are so much part of it
| and in sympathy with it, that there is
no probability, and hardly Il possibil-
ity, of their becoming ''class" apart.
Moreover, the qualities our officers
have shown, even under the depraved
and demoralizing influence of the
spoils system can, under proper regu-
lation. be made extremely valuable,
and this without the slightest danger
of their usurping privileges not be-
longing to them, or assuming an
offensive bearing
This needs, rs we have said, more
perfect and harmonious system, with
fair and uniform rules carefully ap-
piled by means of adequate inspection
and authoritative central control. Ii
is noteworthy that the course of the
Civil-Service Commission has been
steadily in this direction, and more
markedly SO since the Administration
of Mr. Cleveland came in than at any
time before. The present commission
has steadily advanced in its grasp OF
the duties imposed upon it and the
powers conferred by the law. 1t has
extended its Investigations, kept closer
watch on the examinations, guarded
more iealously its own. rights, both OF
initiative and of Judgment on appeal,
and has strlven to inspire the whole
body of officers with whom it deals
with Il common understanding OF and a
common respect for the vital principles
| OF the reform. T. Times.
Brother Blaine, it appears, wants