The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-07-10
CIvIL-sERVICE REFORM

C1VlLrSERVICE REFORM.
While other issues may play more conspic-
uous part in the coming campaign, that of
civil-service reform must not be lost sight of.
It is. in fact, one Of the most important
issues of the times, and if partially or tempo
rarily oversbadowed by others should still be
kept in view as an objective point in politics.
Under the civil-service act of 1888, passed
and put in operation during Republican ad-
ministration, a beginning was made in the
work of placing the civil service OF perma-
nent business basis, and eliminating the worst
evils of the spoils system. In the hands of
its friends the law might have been made the
basis of very necessary and important re-
form, but under this administration it has
been used to bring the whole movement into
disrepute. The law has been violated in let
ter and spirit, and even made a shield for the
of which at present is probably worse than it
would be if the law did not exist. Many
Democrats are in favor of making it odious,
and it would not be hard to convict the ad-
ministration, by circumstantial evidence, of
completely in this scheme. Mr.. Cleveland's
record on civil-service reform is one of broken
pledges, duplicity and double dealing, and
how any friend of the cause can support him
for reelection passes understanding. The
only hope for civil-service reform in Nation
or State is in the Republican party. The
Chicago platform, recognizing this fact, said:
'We repeat our declaration of 1884, to-wit:
Reform of the civil service, conspicuously be-
gun under Republican administration, should
be completed by further extensions of the re-
form system already established by law to all
the grades which it is applicable. The spirit
and purpose OF the reform should be observed
in all executive appointments, and all laws at
variance with the object of existing reform
legislation should be repealed, to the end that
the dangers to free institutions, which Turk
in power of official patronage may be wisely
and fectively avoided"
General Harrison by his public expressions
and by his character and record is in full &C
cord with this declaration and with the true
spirit of civil-service reform. In speech
made in 1882 he said:
81 want to assure you to- night that am an
advocate of civil-service reform. My brief
experience at Washington has led me often to
utter the wish. with an emphasis l do not
often use, that might be forever relieved of
any connection with the distribution of pub.
lie patronage. covet for myself the free and
unpurchased support of my fellow-citizens,
and long to be able to give my time and ener-
gy solely to those public affairs that legiti-
mately relate to the honorable trusts which
you have committed to me-"
More recently he has declared his hearty
sympathy with the movement to lift the State
benevolent institutions out of the partisan
control that has so disgraced them in recent
years, and which continues In a speech de-
liversd at Danville, Ind, on the Goth of No
vember, 1887, he made a strong appeal in
favor of this phase of civil.service reform, in
the course of which he said:
"Have politics become so bestial that out
of the misery and care of the insane low men
shall be allowed to coin party advantagef |
do not know a sadder thing; death is not so
sad. We are entitled to know that the men
and the women who have the care of these
unfortunate ones have been selected not on
account of their politics. but on account Of
their experience and their kind and humane
dispositions. How utterly at the mercy of
lust and cruelty the insane are. When they
come into court of justice to tell of brutality
and outrage the answer is they are insane.
Defenceless, except as we resolve. fellow-citi-
zens, that the next Legislature that meets in
Indiana shall be pledged to the duty of put
ting everyone of our benevolent institutions
upon an intelligent, non. partisan, civil-service
basis. So that it shall never again be asked
when a man or woman applies for service in
one of these institutions, What are your pol
iticsP so that the most careful scrutiny into
their antecedent history and their fitness for
the delicate duties they have to discharge
shall determine the questi on of their appoint
ment."
These expressions show where General Har-
rison stands on the question of civil-service
reform; but with those who know him his
character is even a stronger assurance that his
management of public affairs would be
gagged by a very high and clean standard.
As against such a man as Mr.. Cleveland and
with such a record, he ought to receive the
hearty support of every friend of true civil
service reform.