The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-03

Tariff debates and the fine competi-
ton Of the benefciaries of paternalism
have almost obscured another great
movement that is going on under Re-
publican auspices, and that is directed
to the rapid and complete destruction
Of civil service reform. We have noted
the rage Of the patronage mongers,
their advances upon the administra-
ton and the unprecedented demand
heard at Washington for more places
for party workers under the Republican
regime. But this is less serious than
the fact which is really the cause Of
it; namely, the determination of the
Republican party to get rid Of the re-
straints of civil service reform as speed
lily and thoroughly as it can be done.
This is no mere eruption Of temper,
like the motions in congress to cut off
the support Of the civil service commits
sion, it is deliberate, practical pol
icy, carefully matured and deter
m1nedly carried out. The Republicans
mean to put an end to civil service
carrying the idea out in theory, as
we'll as in practice.
Their most remarkable achievement
has been in New York, where civil
service reform regulations have been
carried to an advanced point. Gov
Black, in his inaugural address, sound
ed the war cry, when he intimated that
he would like to take some of the
starch out Of the civil service reform
law. With the assistance Of Tom
RATS legislature he believes that he
has done it. Unless the courts decide
the law unconstitutional, the reform
system will be completely abolished in
the state service Of New York, and the
old method of appointment for political
service, with it's attendant corruption.
will be restored. The law passed by
the legislature does not repeal, for
mally, the civil service law 1t leaves
all the machinery in operation: but #
declares that, in computing the ac-
qulrements of candidate for office, so
per cent Of the estimates are to be
based upon merit, and so per cent upon
fitness. One Of these qualifications is
determined in the ordinary way by a
competitive examination, the other
rests wholly in the judgment of the ap
pointing power.
1t thus appears that a partisan gov
ernor desiring to make partisan an
pointments could do so at his pleasure
His personal support would count ex
actIy as much as all other require
ments put together. Nothing would
stand between his will and a COM
plete sweep in the offices whenever he
saw fit to make it. This Is today the
law Of the state of New York. enacted
as part Of the great scheme Of DO
Itical corruption, of which Tom Platt
is the official head and the master spir
it. Legislative blackmail Of corpora
lions, official blackmail Of those who
have to do business with state officers.
and the distribution Of the funds thus
acquired among a horde of office-hold
ers, selected by boodling politicians for
work done for the party, is the
latest development Of the Republican
idea in the greatest state Of the Union.
1t is not an isolated case. Not with
out deep significance are the murmurs.
rising to roars Of protest that have
come to us from Washington daily
ever since the November election.
These protests are directed against the
civil service system in national poll
tics. Men who have been classed here
tofore with the friends of reform are
not ashamed to chatter about the I'M
wisdom of Mr.. Cleveland's extensions
of the rules; and in milder, but no less
meaning language, to parody Gov.
Blacks hope that some starch may be
taken out Of the reform system. There
is well-directed movement all along
the line to break down the civil serv-
ice rules. Notwithstanding the fact
that Republicans have been protected
in office by the enforcement Of the
law until an investigation would show
that, under a Democratic administra-
tion, they were. in many cases, largely