The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-15
ROANOKE, VA, OCTOBER Is, 1892.
NOT A CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

Mr.. Lucius B. Swift, of Indianapolis
a neighbor and friend of President
Harrison, and editor of the Civil Ser
vice Reform Chronicle, voted for Mr.
Harrison in 1855 because he thought
that under Mr.. Harrison's administra-
ton civil service reform would be better
promoted than under Mr.. Cleveland's
He has since had reason to change his
mind, and he supports Mr.. Cleveland
this year for the same reason that he
supported Mr.. Harrison four years ago
In the October number of The Forum
he sums up the record for the two
administrations in reference to the civil
service.
When Mr.. Harrison was nominated,
the agitation which had taken place
under Mr.. Cleveland's presidency made
all points of contention relating 10 the
OWL service we'll marked. The plat
form promised to destroy the spoils sys-
TEN. But the indianapolis journal at
the time stated, in effect, that the ap-
pointment Of Mr.. Clarkson as first as
sistant postmaster-general was made
because he was deemed the fittest man
to divide the fourth class postmaster
ships among the Republicans The ap.
pointee completely justified the expec-
tetion and has permanently earned the
title of "Headsman."
In ito mean time, in other directions
the President was in the full tide Of a
clean sweep with all of the unmanly
and vicious acoo l paniments. Presiden-
tial post masters, collectors, marshals,
the foreign service and all other depart
ments received his interchangeable atten-
tion. Cabinet officers were so busy max
ing removals and appointments that
they had no time to attend to other bus
mess. The four-years rule of Mr.. Cleve-
land was swept away. The Presidents
eagerness made him descend to little.
ness.
EaThe President appears to have had
carefully planned boss system, and to
have been ready to turn the full power
of the civil service to accomplish OBJ
jects desirable TO him. There is no
where in his career sign that he has
acted with reluctance, but, on the other
hand, the evidence is conclusive that he
has been willing leader with pur-
pose to use the full power of the Federal
patronage to accomplish, first, personal,
and. secondly, party ends.
For more than two years after his in.
auguration no additions we're made bv
President Harrison to the classified
service; then upon the heels of an In
dian war, and after an amount of urp.
ang, the necessity of which seems in.
credible, considering the direct pre- mise
to make such extensions. he caused 700
places In the Indian service to be clas-
siHed. Later ne caused the employees
OF the fish commission, 1872 in number.
TO be classified He has caused an
efficiency record to be kept in class fed
Offices and mace the rule that promo
tions therein shall be based upon merit.
The contemplate sizs of this contri.
button to the extension Of tho reform
system established by law becomes
! apparent when it is compared with the
many thousands Of carriers, clerks, anc
other employees to whom that syste L is
applicable and whom II does not embrace
The service has many more employees
capable of classification, but unclassi
fed, than it had when the President was
inaugurated.
ONE aecnnd hind mnri Ia Z nj M 4 =, 40.