The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-22

ANTI CIVIL SERVICE ARGUMENT.
The Anu-Civl Service League Of WASH
ington City has recently issued an al
dress to tho Republicans urging voters
TO join them in crusade against the
present civil service laws. The address
is introduced as follows:
"wnllam Mckinley. President ~ the
United states by the grace OF COD ana
the efforts Of the workers and jealous
friends Of the Republican party having
succeeded 10 the highest honors or this
nation largely through your WoiN ana
sacrifices and having, in payment or DIS
obligations 10 US at the command on our
and his political enemies. deharred us
from any reward or participation IN the
government so far 0s the right TO hold
Office under his administration vs. CON
'cerned, we DO earnestly and sincerely
promise and oblieate ourselves 10 devote
our best efforts 20 the destruction or the
civil service law now on the statutes or
the United states as repugnant 70 Justice
and the obligations assumed toward ne as
Republicans and equal American citizens
bv the leaders OF our party, who nave
shamelessly betrayed MS into the hands
OF our enemies after n hard-won victory,
and deprived us OF any prospect or recog-
milton from our own administration ana
this in return for favors earnestly sought
for at our hands
"Thls being the case we voluntarily
rledge our sacred honor (unless the civil
service law Is modified or repealed 70 al
vance by every means In our power INC
interests Of William J. Bryan, simply on
the condition that n elected he VIII nom
estlv and Thoroughly root ont from our
Chinese
now known as civil service reform"
Much has been said Of late IN denuncia-
ton Of civil service law, but we do not
see how any good citizen can read such
stuff as the above without being tho
roughly disguised with the spells system.
with these men the question Of good gov
eminent Is nothing. and one would infer
and naturally infer, from what they say
that they are Republicans not from prin-
ciple but for what they can get out Of II.
II would appear from this that politics IS
nothing but a game at which men play
for what there IS in it. and these men
demand that President Mckinley pay
them in Offices for the support which they
gave him. They care not one whit Tor
party principle or the welfare of the gov
eminent. They are in politics for busi-
ness. and McKinley's election is TO them
a barren victory If they are to be de-
prived Of their part OF the swag. Ihey
would derange the whole system or the
departments in Washington, turn out
competent men who understand their busi-
ness and who are thoroughly trained IN
the governments service and replace
them with professional politicians. with
out business capacity or clerical expert
zee. and for no other reason than that
the men now in charge are Of a different
political opinion from that OF the men
who would take their places
Tho prejudice Of such persons as these
against the present civil service laws IS
easily accounted for. but we cannot I'M
derstand how our citizens who are not
candidates for office, and who desire the
most efficient service on the part OF
government employees. can be opposed TO
the reform which has proven itself to be
so desirable.
Rotation in office is a Democratic prin-
CHILE and a good Democratic prin-
ciple. but it applies TO those officers VINO
shape and direct the policy Of govern
ment and not TO the clerical force who
simply conduct the governments routine
Office work.
The difference between a model civil
service law and the spoils system - the
difference between order and chaos be-
tween good business and so-called prac-
tical politics:
The disappointed Office seekers may fret
and organize as much as they please, but
the spoils system IS doomed. Inc people
are satisfied that the civil service law Is
a national blessing, and it will forever
remain in force. no matter who happens
to be President Of the United States