New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-23
A PLEASANT DUTY.

Moral and political philosophers Of superior
rank and quality, who breathe serene at
mosphere and look down with compOsure upon
the turmoil of the world. are peculiarly fortu-
nate in these days of tribulatiOn and perplcx-
ity. But they cannot escape the obligation
which their special endovments and advan-
tages impose. OF such is the association of
Civil Service Reformcis, to whom the country
locks for all occasional synopsis of the Situa-
ton. We are not certain that one OF the
regular deliveranccS of these gentlemen Is now
due, but it occurs to us that a special bulletin
would not be supcriuous and intrusive at the
present time, in case the bylaws permit a
deviation from the usual course.
During Pe,ident IIarrisOn's Administration
the discoveries and announcements of the re-
formers were exceedingly gloomy, and under
other conditions would have been dreadfully
depressing But il happened that the country
was remarkably prosperous at that time, and
the people insisted on being cheerful in spite
of the assurance that the Administration was
making a shocking record III the matter OF
Civil Service reform. To-day things are
different Factories are closing, banks gong
to smash. and the near future is about rs far
from being rosy as any future can be. large
majority of the people need solacc and en-
couraccment. and if the associated philosophers
of whom we speak are able TO supply the de-
fciency they ought not to wait another minute
So far as we can see. there is no reason in the
nature of things why they should net be able
10 tap large reservoir of tranquility and
hope. The present Administration has been
greatly embarrassed i'll lis attempts to carry
out some of the pledges on which it came into
power. by the conviction that wicked Dem
ocratc Congress would take the first oppor-
tunity TO spoil the Presidential programme
But no such difficulty can have interfcIcd with
Mr.. ClevolandS solemn purposes with respect
TO the Civil Service. On that field he has been
his own master and rs matter of course he
must have accomplished great things since the
4th of March in the protection OF faithful
public servants from the ravage of the spoilers.
TO be sure. there appears to be an immense
amount Of evidence 10 the contrary, and If we
accept il we must believe that the official exc
cltoncrs have been overwOrked during the
last five months: that chiefs Of departments
and bureaus have been encouraged TO violate
the pledges OF the patty in as conspicuous and
fragrant a manner as possible, and that per-
fect orgy of plumber is going on with the full
knowledge and approval of the President. But
a close study of the Civil Service Reform As
ISOLATION and its ways leads us to think that
when it has given its mind to this subject it
will succc d in proving to its own entire sails
faction that such Il condition OF affairs cannot
possibly exist. 1t will not 60 into the facts
to any great extent, but it will be able to AS
sert without fear of contradiction that Mr.
Cleveland is President of tho United State:
and from that undsputcd premise it will til
umphantly draw the cheerful conclusion that
everything is lovely.
Since it is within the power of the assoca-
ton to bestOw this sweet boon upon millions
of persons who are now in a gloomy frame OF
mind, we assert that it is its duty to do so.
rigid adherence to custom at such time as
this would be cruel. If the regular report isn't
due let us have a special report without de-
law The country needs IT,