The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-27
A MODERN sOLoN.

An association has been formed IN the CITY
Of Washington for the purpose of seeking a
repeal of the Civil Service law. The presi-
dent of this association bears given name
which under the circumstances has
decidedly ronical significance. Scion G. Scion
Stevenson.
Our modern Scion believes that the CiviI
Service law is n very bad law. aud he pro-
poses as the chief executive officer OF the
Anti Civil Service Association Just organized.
70 send specific request to every nominating
State convention that meets hereafter that II
shall decline to introduce into its platform
any Endorsement of the measure which he Is
SO anxious 70 see revoked
In the view Of this. the greatest Of our
modern Solons. the civil service rules enure
only to the benefit Of young school, boy giad-
mates who have no practical or general know
ledge Of Government business. This know
ledge is OF course most conspicuous among
the members Of the Anti-Civil Service Asso-
citation of Washington. They may be a little
rusty in geography and ancient history as
compared with the college graduate. but 80
one can say that they are not fully competent
for the work which ofiice-holders are called on
to perform. especially the work of signing
acknowledgements of salary received.
Contemplating the inability Of the average
aspirant after Office. who has passed certain
age. to compete with the college graduate in
knowledge of geography and ancient history,
for which our modern Scion seems to have
much contempt. DIr. c. Scion Stevenson IS
lost in the pathos Of his own thoughts.
What encouragement" he asks in falterlng
voice. lis there for party workers." We ara
sincerely afraid that there is none. unless the
party worker Will extend his geographical ia
formation beyond the purlieus Of his own
ward and will push historical Investigations
outside the lists Of last years voters.
Why does our Scion consider it sucn hard
ship t. expect ali office-holders to have fair
notion Of ancient history and geography:
/ Does he mean 10 blast those useful studies by
| his il-disguised sneers and dersion. studies
which should have tender significance TO
him because associated with his early boy
/ hood days when no civil service laws were in
existence;
The prejudics which ho has acquired
against geography and ancient history, a
| prejudice which he expresses very foscibly in
a recent interview, is simply a perversiou Of
mind that has been doubtless superinduced
by morbid longing for some very remunera-
tive Office which has hitherto eluded his
feyerisb grasp. In themse YES. these studies
are not entitled to the condemnation which
/ he is disposed TO pass upon them. Indeed.
we do not think that we are going too far IN
! saving that the average man would be as lit
tie inclined TO speak harshly and disrespect-
fully Of geography and ancient history as he Is
of the equator. which Sydney Smith has given
as the most striking proof Of irseyeyenee.
We are compelled to admit that we have
but little sympathy with Mr.. C. Scion Steven
son in his objection to ofiice-holders being
we'll informed on the subject Of either an
cient history or geography. knowledge of
these branches is Of such mild aud in
nocuous character that it is always among
the first which child in trained to acquire.
| and it is not likely in consequence TO exercise
an injurious effect upon the robust mind Of
the active party worker.
If Mr. c. Solon Stevensons only serious
objection to the Civil Service law is that IN
der its provisions all oiice-holders who hold
their positions by its operation arc compelled
to DO informed as to the most conspicuous
parts OF the globe and tie events Of the early
history Of the world, then we are constrained
to say to him that lie should no longer sign
himself c. Scion Stevenson, but simply c. l..
Stevenson. lie might as we'll advocate the
abolition Of orthography in the departments
Of the Government OF even chirogTaphy.