The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-22
PUT THE BLAME WHERE 1T BE-
LONGS.

LONNS.
The Clio b noted a few days ago
the hint of possible civil pension list
on the part Of an officer Of the admin
istration, and declared that nothing
could be more antagonistic to civil
service reform. 1t expressed a natural
surprise that any person entertaining
the slightest friendship or regard for
reform should permit himself to look
or spec with favor Of a scheme so
hostile to American ideas and public
economy Our proposition that this
idea of a pension list belongs legiti-
mateIy with the spoils system, and
not with the reform system, is estab-
civil pension list has been introduced
by MI. Tawney, who was also an at
tendant at the meeting called by Mr..
Grosvenor, of Ohio, to consolidate the
enemies of civil service reform and
concoct a scheme for it's disestablish-
ment.
This sets things at rights, and puts
the blame where it belongs. The
friends of reform including the clerks
and other employees in departments
who are holding positions in the clas-
sified service, are a unit against the
Tawney scheme. 1t is not, therefore,
the reformers, but the spoiIsmen, who
recnnncih1a "a
and who must shoulder the response
bility for it and the criticism which it
evolles. Mr. Tawney proposes a sys-
tenn of pensioning retired employees by
compulsory contributions from persons
engaged in the federal service He
would have the government retain by
force per cent per month of all SAL
aries, to he handed over to superan-
nuated clerks or to those retired by
reason of inftrmity.
We can see how beautifully this
would fit in with the spoilsmens
scheme. Let this system be estab-
lished, and nothing on earth could pre-
NOiAl llIC plelSI1lS Oll lIle pGIlSlOu llSIy
sooner or later, of the names of all
those who had at any time been in the
federal employ. We would then have
rapid rotation in office. Every four
years, at least, the whole clerical force
of the departments would be bundled
out of Office by a new administration
nd no
rage for place would be increased by
the idea that to get an appointment
would be equivalent to securing an in
come for life from the government
Certainly man who was discharging
his duties faithfully, and could show
that he had been ousted from his place
for political reasons purely, would be
put on the pension list when his party
came to have majority as quickly
as billSto that effect could be passed
He would have as valid claim as if
he had been retired because of some
infirmity or Of advancing years. A
service pension for the civil list wouId
be the cry, just as it has been the aim
OF many of the advocates Of liberal
pensions for the soldiers.
Let us say that there are $50 900
places within the gift Of an admins
tration. If the incumbents Of these
were changed every four years, there
would be six sets of employees within
a quarter of a century, and we should
have civil pension roll with not far
from million names. No scheme
could more delightfully."- fit in with the
idea Of those who believe that public
office is private snap, and that the
main purpose Of all legislation is to
enable a favored set of the people to
live at the expense of all the others.
The notion Of civil pension list is
utterly abhorrent to and at war with
the principle of reform. It is a con-
sistent and logical part of the spoils
system. The two are happily united
in the person and the public acts of
Mr. TaWney. We are glad to have the
blame placed where it justly belongs,
and are happy to see the spoilsmen
coming to the front with a plan that
discioses their pernicious object and