Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-12-13
THE CIVIL SERVICE
The Policy of the Presidene-Blect Out
lined by a Personal Friend.

Inc Policy OF the Presidene-Blect Out
lined by a Personal Friend.
One OF the earliest duties that will
confront the new President win be lhat
of placing the administration of the
Government, in all its details, on a
distinctively Republican basis without
sacrificing or disregarding the spirit
of Civil-Service reform. OF course, he
will take care that the Civil-SeTvice
law is enforced; a more difficult task
will be to see that its spirit is, OBJ
served. We think that in this regard
the friends of good government, and
what is known as Civil-Service, re-
form, will not be disappointed. There
is no stauncher friend of good admin
istration and genuine Civil-Service re
form than the President-elect. He
is Republican and partisan in the
best sense, but not spokesman. From
what we know of General Harrison;.
we think it safe to say that he will ex-
ercise the appointing power primarily
in the interest of good government
and in the spirit of the axiom that he
serves his party best who serves his
country best. In his letter of accept
ance he said:
The law regulating appointments to the
classified civil service received my support in
the Senate, in the belief that it opened the
way to a much-needed reform. / still think
so, and, therefore, cordially approve the clear
and forcible expression of the convention upon
this subject. The law should have the aid of
friendly interpretation and be faithfully and
vigorously enforced. All appointments under
it should be absolutely free from partisan con-
sideration and influence: Some extensions OF
the classified list are practicable and desirable,
and further legislation extending the reform
to other branches of the service to which it
is applicable, would receive my approval In
appointments to every grade and department
fitness, and not party service, should be the
essential and Discriminating test, and fidelity
and efficiency the only sure tenure of office.
Only the interest of the public service should
suggest removal from office 1 know the
practical difficulties attending she attempt to
apply the spirit of the civil service rules to all
appointments and removals. 1t will, however,
be my sincere purpose, IT, elected to advance
the REFORM"
This shows familiarity with the
present law, and is a: very distinct ap-
proval of the principles Oh which it is
based. There will be- no step back
ward in Civil-Service: reform during
President Harrison's Administration.
But he will, at the outset. be- confront
ed by the fact that the term Civil
Service reform has been brought into
bad odor by this Administration, and
the civil service itself badly demoral-
lied. not to say debauching- His first
duty will be to bring: it back in point
OF efficiency to where thu: Democrats
found it, and from that point make
further progress. The present condi-
ton of the civil service would justify
sweeping removals; but however nu-
merous they may be, the public can
rest assured they will be made from a
higher motive than partisan. revenge
or partisan advantage. The: language
quoted from General Harrison's letter
of acceptance needs no. elucidation,
and can not be read between the lines.
He was sincere when he wrote it, and
he will stand by it General Harri-
sons Administration, will be thorough
" Republican, but it wills be a. Repub-
Ican Administration based upon fit
ness and not upon mere=party sarTice
Journal.