New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-25

coma extent n mt the whole Republican party
In an untenable position. and TO represent 1t rs
seeking excuse for breaking down the compe'-
five system. for the establishment or when II
has claimed credit Therefore we take the &C.
casion once more to set forth the facts as 10 the
midnight order and do Justice 10 the record OF
the Republican party since 1t would ne most
unfortunate for any considerable body Of Repub-
Icans TO be led astray to fight windmls and
denounce their own party policy.
President Cleveands order extending the
Civil Service rules to thirty thousand new places
was not Issued Just before he retired. but was
made on Mhy 6. 1896 before either the Republl-
can or Democratic National conventions mad
been held and It was generally commended by
the press Of both parties as a proper step toward
securing expcrt government work. the need OF
which the present war and the possibility or
great administrative problems growing out or II
are causing 10 no more appreciated than ever
before. The Republican National Convention
assembled in 81. Louis on June 16. lSH-one
month and ten days after Mr. Clevcland's or
der and adopted platform saying:
The Civil Service law was placed on the
statute book by the Republican party, which
has always sustained It. and we renew our re-
poatcd declarations that n shall be thoroughly
and honestly enforced and extended wherever
practicable.
Not n word there about the spirit Of the law
having been perverted. hut declaration, a. II
rejoicing in Mr.. Cleveands order and desiring
to 60 him one better. that the law should he
still further extended wherever practicable. y
And In fact It has been so extended In spite
of the appeals Of the spollsmen. President Nc
Klnley last July not only confirmed President
Clevcland's course the more emphatcally IN
TINT by making some rrlhIng changes. both in
the direction Of extension and exception. which
experience had shown 10 he necessary. he gave
evidence Of positive approval Of what no did
not change hut went much further. and by reg
ulaing removals gave an entirely new ana
broader meaning to civil Service Reform. II Is
n little late then. for an officer Of the Rcpnnli
can National Committee to reverse Republican
President and Republican platform.
Perhaps Colonel Dick In looking In his alma
nae for the platform by mistake turned 10 that
ndopied AZ Chicago by the Bryanites and thought
II was the Republicans who were opposed TO
life tenure in public office" and looked upon
the Civil Service laws as administered ms build
Ing IN an arstocratc class instead Of giving
equal opportunities 10 all r. so. It was natural
for him 10 think II about time for the President
TO begin 10 carry ont that plank. and. knowing
the President 10 no man who does his duty.
to think II safe to predict that he would soon
act. When ne turns over the leaf 10 the Re
publican platform. however he Will SEQ that
the party Is committed 10 something quite diff
ferent and ms q faithful official Of the party he
will doubtless do valiant work 10 extend the
scope Of tho law wherever practicable. even
further than Mr. Cleveland or Mr.. Mckinley
has seen III 10 do