The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-12-14
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The Policy Of the President-Elect Out.
lined by q Personal Friend.

The Policy Of the President-Elect Out
lined by . Personal Friend.
One of the earliest duties that will
confront the new President will be that
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-Service
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 a 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:
1.-THE law regulating appointments 70 the
classified civil service received my support in
the Senate, in the belief that 1t opened the
way to a much-needed reform. I 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
a 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 il
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 ONCE. I know the
practical difficulties attending the attempt to
apply the spirit Of the civil service rules TO all
appointments and removals. 1t will, however,
be my sincere purpose, If elected, to advance
the REFORM"
This shows familiarity with the
present law, and is a very distinct ap-
proval Of the principles on 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 democrat
lied. not to say debauching. His first
duty will be to bring it back in point
of efficiency to where the Democrats
found it, and from that point make
further progress. The present condi-
ton of the civil service would justify
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 calculation,
and can not be read between the lines.
He was sincere when he wrote it, and
be will stand by it. General Harri-
sons Administration will be thorough
ly Republican, but it will be Repub-
lican Administration based upon fit
ness and not upon mere party service.
Journal.