The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-24
Mr.. Harrison and the Civil Service,

Mr. adrT1SUn anu Iu6 OlYll D6lVlCo'
The Democratic politicians and
newspapers are indulging in the
pleasant hope that Mr.. Harrison will
not enforce the Civil Service law.
Never in favor of reform, they have
been afraid to make open war upon
it. and now hope that the Republi-
cans will set the country back in this
respect and restore the spoils system.
They are willing enough that their
own partisans shall suffer if the re-
form can be smashed. Then they
will try to sneak into power by loud
wailing over the wickedness of the
Republicans, with the intention,
however, to treat the service after
the pattern set by the glib breaker of
promises whom the country has just
retired to private life.
The Democrats are mistaken. They
are permitting their corrupt imagi-
nations to run away with them. The
only President who has honestly and
sincerely administered the Civil Ser
vice law was Mr.. Arthur. Mr.. Cleve-
land made many promises, but broke
them with nerve so steady and a
courage so sublimely impudent, that
lifelong and professional Civil Ser
vice Reformers were dazed into the
belief that the CAUSE which they had
considered as the most momentous
issue of American politics was after
all of only secondary Importance.
Mr.. Cleyeland's exploits as a civil
service reformer are among the finest
achievements of modern vice, and
really wicked Democrats, instead Of
abusing him, would admire him if
their intellects were quick enough to
see the deeds of a spoilman through
the DISCUSSES of disingenuous profes.
sions. He will not have an imitator
in Mr.. Harrison, and if the Demo
Gratis, by some unfortunate chance,
ever happen to regain power, they
will find the classified service so
firmly fixed that they will be unable
to overthrow it.
The fact, however, that Mr.. Har-
rison and the Republican party be-
iieve in the reform and will do their
utmost to extend and enforce it, does
not imply that many changes will
not be made, There is no diplomatic
officer in the service, except a few
Republicans, who ought to retain his
place. Phelps ought not to have sue
ceeded Lowell. Stallo is out of place
in Italy. There is no reason why
McLane shall stay in France. The
same may be said of all the other
members of our diplomatic and con-
sular service, 1t must be remember
ed that Mr.. Cleveland has filled the
federal service with Democratic heel
ers and strikers. 1t is demoralized
by incompetent officers, and is cor.
rupted Dy the presence of men who
are familiar figures as defendants in
the criminal courts. The postal SER
vice is in a wretched condition. 1t
has not been so bad since Buchanan's
time. Letters 60 astray because rail-
way mail officers do not know the
geography of their routes, or they
are not delivered because carriers can
not read the addresses, The post
office has been deliberately turned
over to the party. and has become
an organized Democratic machine.
The Custom House is not far behind,
and it is not probable that the Dem
ocrats need to be told that the Hig-
ginses and Aquilla Jonses will have
to 60.
In a very short time after Mr..
Harrison's Inauguration, no Demo-
cratic jailbird will be drawing a
salary from the United States Treas
ury. Morris Thomas has resigned
his Indian Inspectorship. We wish
he had waited to be turned out. Such
a man should not be permitted to re-.
sign he should be disgraced by dis
missal. The reformers of Maryland
will receive from President Harrison
what President Cleveland has refused