Evening star., 1896-10-20
THE CIVIL SERVICE
The Law and the Platform Of the
Democracy.
A. PROPOSED RETR0GRESSI0N
Extensions Made Since the Act
Went Into Force.
POLITICS AND PATRONAGE

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
No reform has progI essed more steadily
than that which has had for its object the
substitution of merit for personal and par
tisan preference as the determining factor
in appointments and advancements in the
minor places of the federal civil service.
Introduced by democrat in a Senate in
which both Of the great parties We're equal
ly represented, the Act to regulate and
improve the civil service Of the United
States" known as the "Pendleton law"
was passed, after considerable discussion,
by a vote Of 3S to 5. In the House Of
Representatives, which at that time con-
tained 152 republicans and 100 democrats
the affirmative vote VAS 135 and included,
among others. such prominent democrats
as Samuel S. Cox. John G. Carlisle. N. C.
Blanchard, A. S. Hewitt. William R. MGR
rison and Roswell p. Flower, while among
the republicans were J. G. Burrows, Frank
Hiscock, William Mckinley and r. b.
Reed The new law was approved by
President Arthur on January 16, 1885, and
the merit system was iInmedia tely applied
TO 1924 positions. On March 4, 1885,
their number had been increased to 15,573;
on March 4. 1889. to 1880; on March 4,
1893. to 42.92S, and at the present time the
number IL rot much less than 5000. Mere
statistics do not, however, adequately pre-
sent the development Of business methods
in relation 10 the appointment, retention,
advancement and dismissal Of employees in
the civil service. There has been a healthy
growth of bRblic and official sentiment
that tends toenforce the right of the tax
paying public to demand an organization
OF the public service based upon efficiency,
and there Is a general recognition of the
fact that this can be done only through
the application of rigid tests of compe-
tency as prerequisite of appointment and
the absolute exclusion of all considerations
except integrity. industry and ability as
determining factors in the treatment ac-
corded employees subsequent to their ap-
pointment.
The platforms adopted by the republican
and democratic parties at their national
&C cCnventions OF 1876 and $3.50 demanded the
Inauguration of such a reform in the civil
service, and those of every subsequent con-
vention have given it unqualified indorse-
ment and approval, unless that of the re-
cent democratic convention at Chicago
must be excepted. The declaration relating
to the civil service adopted at that conven-
ton reads as follows:
I'VE are opposed to life tenure in the
public service, except as provided in the
Constitution. We favor appointments
such an administration Of the civil service
laws will afford equal opportunities to
ell citizens of ascertained fitness"
Opposition to Life Tenure.
Opposition to life tenure, by which is un-
doubtedly meant tenure during good be-
havior, is unquestionably the most import
ant feature Of this pronunciamento. This
opposition Is to be given practical effect by
providing for terms of Office of fixed dura-
ticn. The other declarations. favoring ap-
pointments based upon merit and according
equal opportunity to enter the civil service
to all citizens of ascertained fitness would
indtpQt hoI
they been contained in any political plat
form adopted prior to 1872. but at the pres
ent time, when law accomplishing these
results has teen in force for thirteen years
they should be accompanied by a specific:
Endorsement of that law, or a declaration
indicating the way in which 1t should be
modified. The absence of any such qualifi-
cation makes 1t appear that these princi-
pies were introduced to round out the
plank, and that they were Intentionally
Suberdmated to the more fundamental
principle-opposition to life merit tenure
This being the case, it becomes important
for those who desire the continuance of the
merit system and its progressive extension
and improvement upon the lines already
marked out, carefully to consider how far
the principle of tenure during good be-
havior Is fundamental part of that sys-
tenn. and how far the substitution Of fixed
terms of office would affect the practical
results of reformed methods
There are three things which the merit
system has accomplished for the better
ment of the civil service. 1t has removed
positions OF minor Importance from the
sphere of partisan conflict. and. in conse-
quence. has notably purified political
methods by making it impossible to use
those positions as rewards for partisan
activity. The effect of establishing the
principle OF rotation in office upon this re-
suit Of reform would be indirect but in
sidous and pernicious. The spectacle of a
large number of changes in minor offices,
whether coincident with a change in ad-
r1ivnf nfcfr ff0,, ~
inspire with hope those who desire to make
party service, instead Of fitness the single
test for appointment, and 1t would he
strange indeed If their Jealous efforts did
scrupulous appointing officer would WELD
to their entreaties. The progress of re-
form has not been unmarked by instances
of this kind and the difficulty Of detecting
occasional violations of the letter and spirit
of reform would be enhanced tenfold owing
to the multitude of changes 1t has been
universally observed that crime multiplies
upon opportunity for enectual concealment
and, as the friends of honest business
methods become doubtful of their ability
to prevent improper appointments, the ad-
vocates and prospective bcnefciaries of the
SIoils system would become steadily more
audacious. until, in the end, all tests of
capacity would be openly disregarded.
second result of the merit system has
been to open the door to employment in
the public service to all citizens regard
less of party affiliations or personal or
political services in behalf of persons hold
ing influential positions. Equality of op-
pcrtunity, denied prior to 1883 by the prac-
tical Limitation of the right to hold office
to the friends of the controlling faction in
the party in power, was accorded every
citizen so far as entrance to the civil serv-
ice is concerned by the reform law Of that
year. Under its operation no individual.
however destitute OF political connections
is excluded. provided he possesses the in
teiilgence, industry and pluck necessary 10
qualify himself to become a desirable pub
lie servant. f
Patronage and Election.
The same cause which makes possible The
use of patronage in order to control cleo
tions and debauch politics will inevitably
exclude all persons not adherents of the
successful faction as effectually as prior
to 1sS3 There will again be a favored
class from which all public servants must
be selected, and this class will, as formerly,
be the one least likely to furnish intelli-
gent, Industrious. faithful and honest en-
ployes. Moreover, the opportunity to enter
10 10 ~