The morning call., 1890-10-28
SHERMAN ON Own SERVICE.

Senator John Sherman, in speech de-
lvered on Saturday. touches upon delicate
question in practical politics. He says he
would diyest members of Congress and Sen
ators of tie right Of recommending persons
for cftice, and would advocate law separa-
ting the legislative from the appointing
power.
Ii is not apparent, on the face of the mat
ter, that any law is needed, so far as Con-
gressmeu are concerned. According TO the
letter Of the law as it stands, they have no
authority to NEEDLE with appointments.
7 he Constitution confers that function on
the President. 1t is different with the Sen
ate, which is clothed with authority to adj
wise and consent to appointments The
change which Senator sherman suggests
would involve constitutional amendment,
altering that section of the Constitution which
empowers the President to appoint by ana
with the consent and advice of the Senate all
officers Of the United States whose appoint
ments are not Otherw ise provided for i'm the
Consiitutionl and which shall be established
by law" Whether thrte-f, UTths OF the
States would assent TO confer such exclusive
power on the Executive is a question.
Three plans have been devised for the
cure of W hat is alleged to be an evil by re-
formers in cur present system of filling
Federal offices. One was proposed by the
civil service reformeTS, aud was partially
adopted by 4 law passed some twenty years
ago. The idea Of the civil service people
was to virtually confer the appointing
rover on a bureau, not necessarily con-
nected with the Administration. This
bureau was to examine all applicants. and
appoint those WHO passed the most satisfac-
tory examinations. OF this system nothing
now survives except the examinations, which
applicants for certain offices are required TO
pass, and which are IN fact. mere matters of
fern The Civil Service Act has not taken
the power of appointment from the author
ity which held it before the act was passed.
Shortly after Mr. Cleveland assumed Office
lie determined to take the appointing power
into his own hands. During the last three
years of his administration it was rather
detriment than help to a candidate for
Office to be recommended by his Congress
man. The plan did not work. 1t was found
impossible for any man 10 know thousands
of individuals scattered over thirty-eight
States, and who applied Tor appointments
as PoStmasters, Collectors of Customs, Col
eetors Of Internal Revenue, Land Regis
teIs aud Receivers, District Attorneys and
Marshals and so forth. In relying upon
himself Cleveland made mistake after mis-
take and enemy after enemy, as he discOy-
cred when he sought reelection.
General Harrison pursued the opposite
course. He conferred with The Senator or
Senators and with the Congressional Repre-
sentatives of his own party in each State
relative 10 appointments, and, though he did
not agree to be bound by their recommended
ton, he has rarely rejected it. This plan
had the advantage Of securing the appoint
ment of men who we're well thought of by
these who Lad the best opportunities of
knowing them and OF relieving the EXecu-
tive from a heavy responsibility.
Senator Sherman says that the power
thus bestowed on Congressman is a source
of weakness; that they devote TO securing
berths for their friends time which should
be spent On legislatiug for the nation. He
thinks that the Republican party ought to
adopt a new political issue. We do not, for
if the United States were to drift into the
system which is in force in European coun-
tries rotation in Office would be virtually
abolished.