The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-12
STORIES OF THE DAY.
"A witty Speech by Congressman Brosius
and Full OF Anecdotes.


The Congressional Record contains a
speech by Hon. Marriott Brosius Of
Pennsylvania upon the rise, progress
and present state of the merit system in
the civil service Of the United States.
which was delivered just before the
holiday recess and withheld in order 20
make additions of some important sta
tistics
Mr.. Brosius ranks high as raconteur
among his colleagues i'll the house, and
this speech not only adds to his reputa-
tion in that regard, but places him in
the front rank as historian. AS show
ing what great institutions can grow
from small beginnings, he notes the
first germ f civil service in England,
the extortion from King John by the
barons at Runnymede of this provision
for securing duly qualified officers:
"We will not have any justices, con-
stables or sheriffs but of such as know
the law of the realm and mean truly to
observe it.
In the reign of Edward II, 1308-27,
it is said there were kept in tower in
London six horseshoes and 81 nails,
which, by an ancient custom, the sher-
ifs Of London were compelled to count
when they were sworn into Office. Their
ability TO do SO was regarded as proof
Of sufficient education for the Office, as
only an educated man could count up to
81. There is some humor mingled with
the sadness of the reasons given by
custom house officer for his submission
to the royal will. reasons which to this
day cause a continuous reign Of terror
in the unclassified civil service of the
United States. II have" he said, "14
reasons for obeying his majesty's COM
mand-a wife and 18 children"
George Washington's elevation of
mind and lofty patriotism are strikingly
illustrated in letter which he wrote to
a friend, from which Mr.. Brosius
makes this extract:
My friend II receive with cor
dial welcome to my house and welcome
to my heart, but with all his good quail
tiles he is not man of business His
opponent, with all his politics, SO hos
tile to me, is man Of business. My
private feelings have nothing to do with
the case. AS George Washington,
would do this man any kindness in my
power, as president of the United
States l can do nothing"
So jefferson, animated by the same
high sense of public duty, said:
"Of the thousands of officers, there
fore. in the United States very few
individuals only, probably not 90, will
be removed, and those only for doing
what they ought not to have done. I
know that in stopping thus short in the
career of removal / will give great
offense to many Of my friends. That
torrent has been pressing me heavily
and will require all my force to bear up
against, but my maxim is Fiat justitia,
ruat coelum.
The origin Of the spoils system. de-
clares Mr.. Brosius, began with the ad-
Of jackson, concerning
which Daniel Webster said in 1882:
"As far as know; there 10 no civil
lized country on the earth in which. ON
change Of rulers. there is such an in
QUESTION for spoils as we have witness
ed in this free republic. The
same party selfishness which drives
good men out of Office will push bad
men in. Political prescription leads
necessarily to the filling Of Offices with
incompetent persons and to a conse-
quent malexecution of official duties.
Mr.. Brosius, viewing the "in and
out" panorama Of succeeding admins
trations, which he speaks of as still ex-
listing, is reminded of little story of
q saloon keeper at Winchester during
the war:
The tide of battle swept back and
forth through that little town rs times
during the war. When the Union forces
were in possession, the saloon keeper
wore suit Of blue and when the Con-
federates returned he changed to suit
of gray, making the changes with such
promptitude as not to disclose to the
respective combatants the trick he was
playing. After the war was over, a
neighbor asked him how he managed
always to be on the side that was in
possession. He replied that the changes
Of occupancy were pretty fast, but they
would have to be darned quick if they
got ahead Of him.
And the men who advocate civil serv-
ice in theory and fail to apply it
brought ont q story which Gladstone is
credited Of having told of Lord Mel.
bourne. The latter was seen coming
from church one Sabbath in great ex-
Citement. Meeting friend, he exclaim.
ed:
1T is too bad. have always been O
supporter Of the church and have always
upheld the clergy, and 1t is really too
bad to have to listen to sermon like
that heard this morning. Why, the
preacher actually insisted upon applying
religion to mans private life"
Tho fO1loSu In, ~ M nj m, Ia In cvoIsta1 t<,