New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-18
pERnRM PROBLEMS.

T. Is easy to see now what q detriment to the
cause of Civil Service Reform the change OF
Administration was in 1885. The Civil Service
law was in successful operation, and the reform
vas making good progress. II the Republicans
had been successful in the Presidential election
~ 1894. there would have been no question OF
political changes to disturb the WORKING out OF
the problem. The reform would slowly havo
strengthened itself in the good OPINION OF inc
people, and its sphere would have been enlarged
from time to time the moro easily because 1t
would not have had to combat the oVerwhelm-
ing pressure Of ofceseekers that inevitably fol-
lows change Of Administration. Unfortunate
". however, the Democratic party was success
full. There were some who sought to extract
comfort even from this result. They believed
that - Mr. Cleveland would stand firm, and
there should be no clean sweep, the precedent
Of extensive political removals upon change OF
Administration would be broken, and our poll
tics would gain largely by that circumstance
alone. But, as we all know, the pressure was
too great for him, as it would have been prob
ably for any Democratic President. Withina
little more than two years after his Inaugural
ton, even some Of his warmcst supporters were
tically clean sweep in many Of the leading
offices Of the country, including not only tho
higher positions but in the clerical service also,
in Offices not protected by the Civil Service law
II was seen. too, in number OF great offices
whore the law was in force but was evadcd.
The inevitable outcome was that a large number
Of men forced themselves into the Government
service who had no business 10 be there, and
whose removal was necessary when the Repub-
Hcans returned TO power in order to restore tho
old standard Of efficiency. The Railway Mail
Service was a good illustration OF what the
change Of Administration brought, and what a
change Of Administration back TO the old party
made it necessary TO correct.
But this task involves two dangers. The
first Is that the pubic will BIO miscd as to tho
nature and necessity Of a very large proportion
of the removals which are being made. They
are assailed by the opposition as made solely for
political reasons. Time, however, may be trust
ed TO refute these misrepresentation. But
there is another danger and n more serious one.
This is that the need Of changes in order 70 re-
STORE the public service TO It's old efficiency will
be seized upon by tho oflccseekers. Of whom
there is always hungry horde in every party,
the appointing powers. All those who have the
distribution Of appointments, from the PrcS'-
dent downward, should bear in mind this fact
and discount the appeals made TO them. II they
should allow themselves TO be ovcrborno too
| far, they would repeat the errors Of tho Inst
| Administration. The Democrats on returning
| TO power, would be furnished with DreteXt for
| a clean sweep in their Turn, and thus each DO
| litical change in the country would be followed
by numerous removals, peDctuating tho old
system OF political prescription, except so far
| as il might be curtailed by the operation Of the
| Civil Service law.
| A minor incident Of the situation, but one TO
| be much regretted, is that Somo mthinling per
| sons tend 70 confound Civil Service Reform
| with the practices Of the last Administration.
and visit upon the ono the condemnation which
belongs 10 the other. Contcmptuous references
are made to Civil Service Reform in quarters
whore they ought not to DO heard. There is
even some talk probably with little foundation,
Of an organized opposition to it, and there have
been rumors Of attempts TO repeal tho law at the
approaching session Of Congress. We trust
that no Republican will so far forget his duty
TO his party and to the reform which his party
established. Political mUnkoyshines Of this sort
have been left so far to tho Democrats. Tho
Republican party, having begun this work is
bound not only to carry it on, but to carry it
further than ever before. To falter now, or to
give it up would bring upon uS overwhelming
disaster which we should richly deserve. There
is no likelihood Of such an outcome. however.
few politicians may oppose the reform. but
the people believe in it.