The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-03-18
Balancing the Reform Account.

Balancing the Reform Account.
As Congress adjourns at the close of two years
OF complete Republican control of the govern
ment. It is q timely question how far the prom
ise Of the Republican platform of 1883 has been
fulfilled. that reform in the civil service should
be extended to every grade of the service to
which it is applicable. and that the spirit and
purpose of reform should be observed in all Ex-
ecutive appointments. Let us see what has
been done. The President appointed an ad-
mirable commission. and there is no question |
that the Law has been in general faithfully ex-
ecuted. so that. as Commissioner Roosevelt says.
within the classified service in the departments |
at Washington removals for political reasons |
have practically ceased. The commission also, |
by its fair action and intelligent explanation,
has succeeded in interesting the Southern States
In the reform, that for the first time the quotas
Of those States in the departments are filed
with absolute disregard of political sympa-
thies. Besides these good results. the House
Committee ON Civil Service Reform brought in
q report at the last moment of the session,
stating that the law has been, ON the whole,
executed to the great benefit of the public SER
vice; and to make it still more effective, recon-
mendipg the reconstruction Of the commission,
with a chief commissioner and first and second
deputy. requiring of appointing officers sat
isfactory reason for not selecting from the three
names standing highest on the eligible list, and
furnishing to every person removed a written
statement of the reason of his removal. The
report. of course, is of no weight in the next
Congress. But 1t is very significant as the view
of the majority of q committee composed of en-
inent members of the Republican party. with
Mr.. John f. Andrew. Massachusetts Demo-
crat.
This Ia fair statement of the progress thus
far accomplished under this administration.
The other side of the account. hewever, is much
less pleasant Despite the platform and his
personal pledge. the President, by refusing to
reappoint. has practically removed the three
postmasters, in New York, Brooklyn. and Bos-
ton respectively, who were admitted to be the
best in the country, and who administered their
trusts without partisan or political considera-
tions BY the Fostmaster-General,wh who was ap-
pointed under notorious circumstances. the
postal service at large. the largest patronage
department, has been made mere spolls. The
Republican Senator Plumb has sought indi-
rectly to overthrow the reformed system, and
the Republican House showed by its vote in
committee its antipathy to reform, while its re-
fusal to concur in the action of the Senate de-
feated the increased force and aid which the
comm ission asked as essential to the proper dis
charge of its duties This positive hostile Leg
lSlaLlH6 actlOu D6 SOU S1AAS1 tAS AOhOl dDAS
labors of the commission, the honest observance
of the existing law. and the favorable but inef-
fectiye opinions of the House Committee. No
honest Republican. who contrasts this actual
performance of two years with the engagements
Of the platform and the pledges of the Presid. Mt
will deny that vote give n to Mr.. Harrison in
1888 ON the ground of those promises and pledges
was vote obtained under false pretences. Nc
such Republican can deny that whatever the
shortcomings of MIR. Cleveland in regard to re-
form In the civil service they did not invoIVs
such treachery and falsehood as those of the
Republican administration thus far.
The actual services of the last two years to
reform is really summed up in the fidelity of the
commission. But there is no allegation that
under the Cleveland administration the com
mission was not equally faithful. Republican;
who adhered to the party in 1884 as the only
party under which reform was possible, ano
who believed the party declaration of 1888 tina
its reform pledges would not be broken. canno
longer assume that the advancement of civi
service reform is a reason for still adhering tt
the party. But while this is true, no friend o
reform need be discouraged. 1t is impossible
not 70 see, as the report of the House COMMITTEES
indicates. that the demand for reform is con
stantly stronger. Public opinion is more ant
more imperative. Indiana. the dark ant
bloody ground" of fioaters and blocks of five
furnishes an extraordinary illustration of thi
fact. The bill to apply reform principles to thu
management of charitable institutions in tina
State has Just been defeated in the Legislature
But the Indianapolis Sentinel. the leadiui
Democratic paper in Indiana, rebukes its part,
friends in the most uncompromising manner:
1.-THE Democratic Senators who voted agains
Senator Magee's excellent bill committed al
act of political folly so gross as to be almoS
criminal. The defeat ef this measure will cos
the Democratic party thousands of votes a
future elections No party can hope to hold it
own in this State which deliberately sets itsel
against the moral sentiment of the people, ,whlc
plants itself across the pathway OF progress an
reform which obstructs measures that ever
consideration of humanity, decency and com
mon justice demands"
President Harrison may proftably ponde
these words of the leading Democratic paper /
his own State. and their illustration of chang
ing public sentiment is most striking and sug
gestive.