The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-19
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The Perfect Good Faith of tho President
Touching CiviI-Servioo Reform.

Tho Perfect Good Faith of tho President
Touching Civil-Servloo Reform.
The character Of the presdentinvites further
illustration in his action touching the reform
Of the civil service. There is no reason TO
doubt his perfect good faith in espousing this
reform, and there is just as little doubt that he
moderated the character and potency OF the
opposition he would have TO encounter. What
We call the spoils system is rooted in the policy
and traditions OF oil parties for more than fifty
years. 1t may almost be called an institution,
and its overthrow must necessarily be the work
of time and courageous endeavor. But the
president bravey undertook il. Early in his
administration he set about the work OF taking
the New York pOstOihce out OF party politics,
so that its affairs might be managed on bust
ness principles, and in the interest OF the peO-
pie. lie has done very much 10 redeem tho
New York custom house from the great and
crying evils which have disgraced its manage
ment during previous administrations. lie
has postponed the removal OF the
great body of republican ofliceholders
till the end of their term of service. lie has
repeatedly favored the extension Of the civil
service rules in furtherance OF the great ends
contemplated by the reform, and as a rule his
appointments have been remarkably mertor-
Gus; while he has set his face against political
corruption, and kept the executive mansion
free from scandals that have disgraced so many
previous administrations. lie has, II Is true,
disappointed the hopes of some OF the Jealous
friends OF this reform, and has evidently not ac-
complished all that was desired and expected;
but he has done far more than any OF his pre-
decessors since the introduction of the spoils
system, and placed the movement on such a
footing that no retreat is now possible. lie is
bitterly assaulted by the republican leaders for
not fully living up 10 his promises; but the
public will not fail 10 notice that IL is not
the violation OF the presidents promises that
oliends these leaders, but the fact that he made
them. Leadingrepublican senators have openly
declared that If he had made "clean sweep"
of the Offices, they would have had no quarrel
with his policy. In this they but echo the gen.
ereal sense OF the party, which four years ago
nominated a man for the presidency whose
political life had belied every principle OF civil
service reform, and whose denomination this
year was the feryent wish OF an overwhelming
majority of its members. When We remember
that with the slight exception OF President
Arthurs action touching federal appointments,
the record of the republican party on this
question for twenty years has been shameless
exhibition OF official corruption and political
prostitution, the hypocrisy Of its present lead
ers In assaihng the president Is readily seen.
They dcspise him in the exact measure OF their
unfaithfulness. j ought to add that many of
these assaults emanate from republican Office
holders who owe their retention in their places
to the impartial enforcement of the civil service
rules, while they lack the decency to keep
silent. The president, in the meantime holds
o along the path of his pledges lie takes no
step backward but commends the good work
OF the faithful commissioners chosen by HIM
self for its prosecution, and shows his deter
mination TO stand by them. He cannot work
miracles, but he will not betray the cause
TO its enemies, nor withhold from it his
continued and earnest support 10 the end.
His enemies know this, and their malignant
warfare against him would instantly eea5e if
lac should really turn his back upon his pro-
fessions