The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-11
Civil Service Reform.

Under the Interpretation of civil SER
vice principles which prevails today in
Washington it appears to be considered
pernicious partisan activity for Demo-
cratic ofliceholder to be caught working
for the interests of the regular Demo-
cratic nominee. Assistant Pension
Commissioner Bell is one of the occu-
pants of federal office who feel in duty
bound to work for Bryan. He has not
yet been formally decapitated for his
temerlty, but the understanding is that
he Will be as soon as his case shall be
reached by his incensed superiors. On
the other hand, Comptroller Eckles
showed no scruples in going as a dele
gate to the Indianapolis convention and
in taking active and conspicuous part
there in opposition to the party organ
iZation which gives him his present
office Neither does Secretary Lamont
hesitate to pronounce in a public inter-
while at the same time Secretary Hoke
Smith is forced back into private life
because of his disinclinatlon to Join In
an organized bolt.
We mention these little circumstances
merely out of curiosity. They involve
no new principles and signalize no new
departure in official precedents. Per-
nicious activity as interpreted by the
party or the faction In power has al
ways meant any form of activity det-
rimental to the interests of the ins.
Nothing was ever said as to the per-
niciousness of activity put forth in be-
half of the appointing power Not
withstanding the touching esteem of
the Mugwump cul: for the sincerity of
Mr.. Cleveland's pretensions as civil
service reformer, we have been unable
to discover any case throughout his
public career where activity in the
direction Of Mr.. Cleveland's preferences
was ever rebuked by him when exerted
by an official subordina te and the pres
ent immunity from official discipline of
those active Democratic office holders
who are busy fighting Bryan only serves
to confirm our suspicion that the cle-
ment of bluff is still far too prevalent
in the contemporary enforcement of the
civil service laws.
We will not pretend that in this re-
spec, one party is better than another.
Neither have we cited the foregoing
instances with any desire to hinder the
good work of mutual destruction now
in progress between the Democratic
party's two irreconcilable wings. Let
the fight go on. II the friends of MIR.
Cleveland are sincere (and we believe
they arel in their opinion that the high
est duty of American patriotism at this
time is to secure ard safeguard the
soundness of our money and the sacred
ness Of the nations financial honor,
then indeed ought they to use every
energy to secure Mr.. Bryans defeat.
The office holder who is active in work
contrary 10 patriotism certainly ought
to be disciplined. We do not marvel
at all at the course which Mr.. Cleve-
land and all other sound money Demo-
Gratis are pursuing. But we cannot
help thinking OF how this particular
kind Of civil service reform would in
terest and amuse a foreign observer,
say for example Ii Hung Chang.
From advance sheets of Poor's Man.
ual for 1895 1t appears that the capital
ization Of the 15,425 reporting miles of
street railway in the United States ag-
gregated sS7.s09 per mile. as against
$50. 1888 per mile Of steam railroad. In
other words. while the capital of the
steam roads Is generally believed to be
heavily watered, the capital of the
street railroads must have reduced