The times., 1897-12-22
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1897.
The Presiden. and the Civil Service.

he L BreSideHs ana tue CIVIL service.
Among the distinguished citizens CT
Aue.rics whushave made records in favor
of the merit system in the civil servics, few
have been more prominent than the Hon.
William Mckinley, who today occupies the
White House, In his inaugural address he
said: "A member IF Congress, voted
and spoke in favor of the present law, and
1 shall attempt its enforcement in the
spirit in Which it was enacted
Now we are sorry to see that the men
who helped to elect MT. Mckinley, as in
other respects, are endeavoring to render
him false to mis- platform and pledges. We
have seen. in connection with Cuba and the
currency. that they have been able TO
hvpnouZe him and 10 make him OBJ
Ivious of lis record and his consoi a:ce-
It remains to be seen whether they Lave
the power to reverse the history Of his
career, and compel him 70 commit hinself
and his Administration TO the corr options
and barbarisu. OF the old spoils system,
which he contenned and denounced when
sentative in the Congress.
We must confess that we feel real
sorrow for Mr. Mckinley in the posi-
tion in which he is placed by the gold.
bond aud other llama interests which
contributed 70 the purchase or his cleo
ton; beeause it is very difficuit thing
for q nan uhU tas been thus mort gagged
in advaLce t. act as n he were tie
pssssessor of fee simple Of his office.
Wher the President declared himself and
has party IN favor II the merit system. n
Il existed 81 the day of his Inauguration.
II riid not occur 60 him to except tke ex
tension Of that system over certain of.
fices by his predecessor. because then 70
was perfectly IA accord with that action.
In principle nc is not less So today; bat
there is q moderuly burrible difference
between principle and policy. 1t is said
that Mr. Hanna, Mr. Eikins and other
advocates OF sound business methods
demand. thst Mr.. Mckinley shall turn over
forty Thousand offices in ttIe gift of
the Government TO the spoilsmen. AMI
throw ont that number of efficient pa bic
.servaE.s &c make nooEa for heelers and
strikers of the Republican party.
Further, it is stated that the politico
financial syndicate in control of the Ad-
ninistration threatens the President~with
political death if tie does not accede to
the demand made upon him and stultify
his wholI career and record as a nun
and statesman. There will be a good
deal OF interest and amusement in see
ing what he may do with the situation.
Outside of political interests, the civil
service OF the country is simple PROPOSE
tion to its intelligent citizenship. Neces.
sity requires that we should withdraw from
citizens TO keep books, disburse money and
generally 10 conduct the office business of
the people. That these people, taken from
the piow, the forge and the counter
active agents OF any party, while they
serve the whole people, is too ridiculous
a proposition for argument. That, being
considered in the light Of necessary evil,
they should be eliminated absolutely from
political activity, rostered and employed
as servants Of a nation. and not of PARTY,
goes without SAYING in the view OF auy
and e,eiy student OF social economy.
A man or woman withdrawn from tie
productive activities OF national life ana
devoted to the service OF the nation, on
the face OF things ought to be protected IL
his or her position; ought TO be given
tenure daring good behavior. and. IN some
way, RETIRING pension, exactly as that is
done I'm Other countries. The only poin.
iu which car civil service reform move.
ment has been weak s. in that it has not
frankly nasIulatad tho position that when
a-eitizer enters the civil service he there
by shGula surrender all connection with
partisan politics
We understand. OF course, that tie pres
ent effort 10 destroy the merit system is
designed to make room FOR tie appointment
OF an army OF Republican adherents. We
would take exactly the n ne ground if
Democratic Admin stra tion and not a he.