The intelligencer., 1889-04-27
PLEDGES AND PERFORMANCES.
IFrom Harper's Weekly.1

We have been in no haste 10 or ticse the
course Of the president in regard to the civil
service. But after six weeks OF incessant
appointments and removals IL IL possible fair
ly to test that course by the promises OF the
republican platform and the pledges OF the
president. There are two views Of the civil
service. One holds hat It Is d vast system of
places to be treated rs rewards Tor partisan
service; the other, that 1t Is IA national busi-
ness department to be managed upon busi-
ness principles. Civil service reform Is uui-
yersally known to contemplate the practical
adoption of the latter view. Its purpose and
scope are perfectly definite. 1t means TO sepa-
rate the unvarying business routine Of admin
istration from politics. The republican party
IN its platform last June unhesitatlngly and |
absolutely adopted this view as its own. and
denOuncDg as deserters from the cause OF
honest government republicans who declined
TO vote for Mr.. Blame in 1884. II declared that
the party would not break its pledges OF re-
form because such deseriers had broken
theirs. This pledge was carefully reiterated
and adopted by Mr.. Harrison, and upon this
ground he was supported by many REFORM
ers. III there be honor and truth In politics
he was by his own word and by the solemn |
profession of his party rs strictly engaged 10
a policy OF reform rs Abraham Lincoln and
the party in 1861 to securing the freedom of
the territories. We ask any honest republi-
can whether since the 4tb Of Match there has
been in the course OF the republican execu-
and representatives and local party leaders,
10 the general tone of the republican press,in
any OF The ordinary and recognized methods
by which opinion expresses itseli. any signs
whatever OF respect for the platform promises
and the presidential pledges. Looking at the
spectacle in Washington, at the partisan
changes begun with energy In the postOfiices,
at the most significant local appointments. nj
the :" "slates" of local 'bOsses" sent up, rs they
state, at the request OF the president, would
IN In nhaprVpF that civil service
reform administration had been inaugurated,
and that the republican party was busily en-
gagged In not violating It's pledges! We do
not mean that incompetent persons have been
systematically appointed to nom political
offices. But we ask any fair-lnin1ed repub-
lican whether all the things that we have
mentioned. and which every newspaper re-
ports, show any regard VIII itever for Mr..
HarrisOn's declaration in his letter OF accep.
lance, that ''in appointment 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 oe1ce. Only the interests Of the
public service should suggest removals from
ofiice.'
The treatment of the New York postofice
oilers the best possible test Of the real reform
character and purpose of an administration.
1t is an office which has nothing whatever TO
do with politics, and which the introduction
OF politics necessarily Obstructs and demoral-
iZes. 1t Is the chief Office of the kind in the
country. and Que Of the most important IN
the world. Under the successive adminis-
-ra.ons of Mr.. James and MIR. Pearson, and
in strict and honest conformity to the busi-
| ness view Of such an Office, it has become q
| model for the postal service. They were both
republicans as citizens, but as postmasters
| they knew no politics. The democratic pres
| ident four years ago. honestly agreeing with
their views. reappointed the republican post
master solely because he was good officer
and not an active partisan. By the co-Opera.
| tiOn of u republican postmaster and demo-
cratic president this great office was taken
out of politics amid universal approval. ex-
| cept that of professional politicians, and
brought to an unprecedented efficiency. By
| this single act immense progress was made
| toward the condition Of the service which the
republican party declared that it was its pur-
pose to secure, and to whose a,tainment the
| republican president was personally pledged.
| But more than this, 1t was one OF the great
est pubic benefits, because 1t demonstrated
that implicit fidelity to sound principles of
| business administration provided the best
possible public service. The situation at the
postOffice had only to be maintained and lib
| orally supported. in accordance with the
platform and The pledge, to justify the asser-
tiOn that at least a republic IN administration
was ~ honestly mindful of reform as the
democratic which 1t superseded. But
Instead of maintaining the situation,
it has deliberately surrendered 1t.
In direct violation Of the most solemn
pledges the public benefit has been
| annuled. and one OF the signal achievements
| of the reform to which the republican plat
| form devoted its administration has been un-
done. we say in violation of pledges, be-
cause neither the president, who has not
/ been deceived" would say. nor would any
honest republican say tor him. that "party
| service" was not "tbe essential and discrim-
mating test' in making the appointment OF
| the postmaster. Everybody knows it. The
| Tribune, which has always sneered coverty
| at reform, throws off the mask, and says
frankly, in defense of the abandonment Of
| the New York custom house to the political
machine, ut IL certain that party organiza-
| tion cannot be maintained by ignoring party
leaders," which is the old ard constant and
| only plea Of the spols system.
The president has removed the ablest. most
competent, most experienced most thorough
iy non partisan officer of his kind In the
| country, and has replaced him by q gentle
| man known only and solely as an active party
| politician. With full knowledge of the facts
upon mature consideration, and in the most
| conspicous possible instance. he has taken the
precise course which has produced all the
| enormous and threatening evils which 1t is
| the object OF civil service reform to correct.
| We appeal again to honest republicans to say
whether, II the republican sneers ut Mr..
| Cleveland's "sham reform" were justified.
such sneers are not quite as Unsuitable In
| considering the conduct OF the present ad
| miDistraiion thus far. We shall gladly see
Mr.. Field appointed postmaster at Phiadel-s
phia IL all that is said OF him be true. But
that will certainly not be as significant as
the reappointment of Mr., Pearson by Presi-
dent Cleveland four years ago. Republicans
| we'll remember that good works In Massa.
| chusetts at that time were not permitted to
| set of the evil that was done in Maryland
and Indiana. MOreover-and that 10 the
worst aspect OF the case-the appointment Of
the New York postmaster is accordant with
an executive policy OF appointing at the will
OF local party leaders. This system. which
arose under the democrats, was thoroughly
organized by republicans, and led 10 a revolt
OF intelligent republican sentiment which
produced the movement for reform. That
| republican movement eliminated In the
platform Of 1888 and the letter of the can
didate. But, SO far as appears, the adverse
| view is now aquiring complete ascendency.
Whatever may be true of the democratic
party. 1t would be impossible honestly to say
that the prospects OF civil service reform
| have been improved by party change Of ad-
ministratiou.