New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-25
ropx rRHNE MARCH o. I@-EI0-1lErN -

uuor, there II has been brought here. IL VIII
ho soon that the system is thoroughly un-Aniei'
con and violates every tradition OF the uue
Jacksonian. Naturally, every patriot views
nth distrust II tends to create an arlstocracy
nv Giving the stamp Of Government approval
.. .hoso who achieve n certain standard Oh al-
t,inmcnts. and conversely stamps some men no'
as GOOD "a other men by refusing to grant elio'''
ments TO all alike. To repeat, 1t Is, in woru'
un-Amerlcan. uu no
Then again. the system is practically "S
well rs scntimentally, Objectionable Every
.,,roo,,ool noI,t,c,on" IS aware Of the fact. The
conduct Of political contests, the poss'o"'
itv Of keeplng the mass Of people inter-
osted TO assist their noble leaders IN coun-
~ TOWN and ward to maintain the liberties
Of the country depend on the bestowal OF re-
wards on faithful adherents. Now 1t cannot pe
expected that the noble leaders are going I"
pay their followers out OF their own poene''
They give their time and genius 10 the '''.o
and get others to do so for conslderatioh' -
"a ONLY fair that the State should set up the
consideration The only way In when the re-
wards ,an be distributed Is for the "noDie leau-
or" to have Government places Win salaries
attached which he can bestow upon the Iaithi"'
and take from the heretcal. Thus Is devotion u
liberty encouraged and the Government pre-
served But IL these offices are bestowed regaru-
less of the noble leader" on any persons WHO
come along and are able to transact the mere
technical duties Of the office In a satisfactory
manner. they will as likely as not be occupied
by fellows who will not give Thought 10 the
smooth running Of the political machinery
BESIDES. the most needy and the most demo-
cratic portion Of the population VIII be de
nr,ved NJ once of an incentive 70 interest in pub
lie affairs and Of a means OF livelihood. ibis
NAV involve the State in double expenditure
Instead OF providing for them In office, IL must
pay salaries to others able TO earn living IN
private life and then spend money to care IN
the name Of charity for those who except Tor
examinations and red tape might have been self
respecting otiice-hodcrs.
our Staten Island friend has only 70 look
about him for evidence Of the havoc wrought by
the Civil Service Reform craze. Down nj HIS
own home Nicholas Muller formerly guarded
public interests and kept the flag atiOat by main
tanning among the frccmcn strict discipline with
appropriate rewards and penalties. But me
Civil Service notion got abroad in Richmond
County People began TO talk abont putting
men in office to do office work. AS If mere once
work could save the country. Then they showed
their ingrattude 10 Nicholas, and he, more in
sorrow than in anger. justly left them to enjoy
the fruits of their folly. Newlork also has
had It's experience. Mayor Strong has been
trying to carry ont some Of these reform no.
tions and look at the trouble we've had, II
would seem 4 matter Of small importance to
the outside world that policemen should get on
the force by passing an examination instead Of
| paying $500 10 Commissioner. bnt the change
has stirred Canandaigua. and Bnghamfon and
Utica and Rochester to the depth. The keen
| rural students Of politics the danger. and
every "prlctical politician" Is absolutely certain
that Civil Service Reform Is a deadly blight
upon patriotism. campaign funds and torchlight
| PROFESSIONS We are aware that our arguments
| are not all our correspondent may desire. But.
~ before stated. The Tribune is not the highest
authority on The subject. We advise our CORE
spondcnt 10 consult Mr. Richard Croker and Mr..
| Thomas &. Plat. II he can reach them when
they are together. he might obtain a united
expression Of convincing force. Individually or
collectively. they could assure him that Civil
! Service Reform Is an undoubted fraud forced
| by rascally foreigners upon a free people.