The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-02-25
ON CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
DIR. MERRTHAN or WORCESTER
 SPEAKS OF ITS 11DVANTAGES.

Corruption in Public ofices-How Reme-
 died-Its Evil Results - Many Offices Sinecures.
 Rev. Daniel Merriman, D. D.. of Wor- cester, Mass, who preached in Battell | chapel yesterday morning, spoke before the Young Mems club of the United church last evening on Civil Service Reform as Related to Public Morals"
 He told of how at the present day, in stead of offices being regarded as pub lie trusts, they are looked upon as pub- lie prizes. In Washington's time and for several administrations after no such thing as distribution of offices" was thought of. Now it has become an evil which threatens national disinteg- ration. Dr. Merriman quoted from President Cleveland, who said that if the country was ever ruined it would be by the wriggle and scramble for of flee President Harrison said that in one day he was vi5ited by one hundred offlce-seekers, each one accompanied by a congressman, who wished to parcel out offices to his helpers and henchmen, This disposition of the legislative branch of government to usurp executive pow CTS came to a head under Garfields ad- ministration, when a senator who at tempted this usurpation was requested to retire from office. This miserable system of parceling out offices resulted in the death of Garfield. His death was brought about by this, as was Lincoln's death by the feeling engendered by re- bellion.
 There seems to be no care for the pub lie welfare. Public office seems to be regarded as a prey. Men want places irrespective of the men required in the places. From this system grows a de- sire to increase the number of offices, so there will be enough to go around.
 In the bureau of engraving it was re- gently discovered that there were twice as many employed as were needed anl in the New York custom house it was also found that a large number of men were employed in sinecures,
 Once in office, men seem to desire to prevent offending the politicians who helped to secure the places and so will resort to any device to help these poli- ticians schemes. Of course public of fees are necessary but they should be organized for principles, not for plum der. When spells are made the object of party organization 1t penetrates to all localities of the country and exerts a debasing influence everywhere, The spells system gives an influence to To- cal and national offices which does not belong to them and degrades the whole system. When you have to buy men to vote, instead of appealing to their pa- triotism, you can never rely on these men. It makes no difference whether these bribes are offices or hard cash. Not only does this spells system work an injury to the nation but it has in- variably proven an injury to the ad- ministration. Many of the party de- feats of recent years can be traced to the disaffection among those who were disappointed in their quest for office.
 The party which tries to sustain itself by pIunder and not by principle shall surely fail. Whatever institution is founded on bribes or gifts and does not bring principle into consideration can not long survive.
 But the sentiment in favor of civil service examination for eligibility to of flee is growing yearly. There are now 50,00O places which come under these rules, and in many states this is the only way of obtaining office. The efficiency of this branch of service is being in- creased, and it's value is daily being seen. If it was allowed to operate to the full extent, still more advantages would be seen.
 Tn the morning Dr. Munger preached from Exodus 20:6-7, 'Visiting the in iquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My comfnandments,"
 In the concluding portion of his ser- mon he made some impressive remarks on public and private morality as an absolute necessity for the well being of this country. His words were partic- ularly emphatic in regard to the neces- sity of religious life in the family. His remarks were listened to with close att tention and deep interest.