The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-09-25
THE spoILs sYsTEn GOING

1t is barely q dozen years since the
first legislation was had on the subject of
civil service, and the progress of the re-
form has been simply tremendous. Few
people realize what has been accom-
plished. At the beginning of Cleveland
first term about 5000 government en-
ployees had been placed under the protec-
ton of the law, the first work of classify
ing being simple and easy. As the rule
was extended there was more and more
difficulty and opposition, and yet when
the first Democratic administration since
the war ended, the law embraced g., $50
persons. This list was swelled during
the Harrison administration to considera-
bly, over $4,000, and IN to July LIST Piesi-
deht Cleveland had added $40 to that
TO total; SO tina. :c", c! the 200 0n0 persons
employed by the government, over one
fourth have been placed under the protec-
ton of the classified civil service rules
that Is. this was the status at the Begin
ming Of the fiscal year. Orders are said to
be contem plated and partly prepared
which will embrace the government
printing office, the agricultural and the
pension departments, while as the tele-
graph tells US. the whole consular and
commercial agency branch of the gov
eminent service is to be put under 70.
form rule of the strictest sort.
TINS Preat work has gone on by very
force OF it's propriety. 1t has not been
helped by the politicians, but has been
prosecuted in spiteof them. The exeou-
tive has heard and needed the popular
approval. 1t was not expected of Presi-
dent Arthur. for instance, that he would
have taken hold of this reform as he did.
In fact. he was held back by party and
personal friends; and yeti no more sp!en-
did service was ever rendered to his
country by any public man than this man
performed, though heretofore accounted
. spokesman. Still greater, il possible.
was tine surprise of the place hunters at
President Cleveland's resolute stand ON
this question, he who represented po-
lItical party which had not been permit
ted to participate in the government Of
the country for more than quarter OF a
century. But it was plain duty and
has grown palmer all these years. No
good thing could ever come of the spoils
policy. 1t violated all the proprieties of
employment, and it discredited and dis.
graced politics always and everywhere.
And yet it seems only little while ago
that every shifting of power. even in a
party ITSELF started men on a wild race
to securde the 200, 900 offices under gov.
eminent. Aye, worse than that. When
a president died and the vice-president
came into power, it was a common cx-
pectation that at least a large portion OF
the vast army Of ofice-holders and office
seekers might be changed!
While it may be fairly doubted whether
the best obtalnable results will be Sc
cured, in all cases, under the proposed
extension of the system, 1t cannot be
questioned that it will be on the whole
tremendous gain. If we do not get the
best results we shall escape the worst;
and in all the years to come the field will
not only be fsirer and more promising,
but it will never be contested. The main
question is settled never to be reopened,
except as to details. and the prime curse
to country and party alike is being fast
removed from national politics. Will
states. counties and cities fail to heed and
apply the lesson to be learned?