The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-01-21

I I
nothing less than change in this laW-'')
ing talk. And all the while, the peo-
pie have been reading the newspapers,
and wondering how it would end. The
people are thus disappointed some
times, because they are misled.
You have recently been reading de-
bates about the civil service law. Some
statesmen have defended the law
against the bitter attacks which have
been made upon it. Those men have
been sincere. But some Of the men
who have attacked the law have been
insincere. While arguing against the
law, they are really hoping that it will
not be repealed.
Strange as this paradox may seem, 1t
is true. The civil service law has saved
the political scalp of many a congress
man. The representatives must be re-
elected every two years, or they drop
out Of public life. All Of them are am
bilious to continue in the business of
craftsmanship. They depend upon pO-
litical friends who work for them TO
keep them in popular favor. Those
friends aturcIIy want rewards for
their p Al services. The only way
to secur, ward is to seek and obtain
federal O1.lee- For this boon they de-
pend upon their congressman. If the
congressman cannot help the men who
help them they viii soon find them
selves politically friendless, and viii
lose their exalted positions
Under existing circumstances, the
congressman can say to their friends
and hackers: This civil service law is
Z a.
obtained, except after examination by
the civil service commission. It is a
law which never ought TO have been
enacted. But, being on the statute
books, and being enforced, we cannot
get around IT."
That, you see, makes the Oficeseeker
angry at the law, instead Of being angry
with the congressman. All Of their
wrath is directed at the civil service
law, because that law keeps them out
Of Office. If il were not for the law,
they would be bowling mad at their con
gressmen-
Now, suppose the law should be re-
pealed. Look at the predicament in
which the congressman would be
placed. 1t is officially reported that dur
ing the past year there were $4,000 ap-
plicatiOns for federal appointment made
through the civil service commission,
and that many people were examined
OF course, but few were finally ap-
pointed.
But, supposing that the civil service
law should be repealed, 1t Is safe to as
sumo that there would be ten times as
many people apply for Office, when
they would not be obliged 10 pass ex-
animation. Consequently, the con
gressmen would have half a million of
ofTiceseekers on their backs, clamOring
for Office and demanding Office or
trouble.
Under such circumstances can you
imagine that the congressman really
want the law repealed? Not a bit Of Il.
On the contrary, the civil service law is
a safeguard for them 1t protects them
against the political henchmen and Of
fce-seekers- But. inasmuch as the
statesmen have talked and written to
their hackers all manner Of things
! against the law, they must make pre-
tense Of sincerity by delivering speeches
against the law. This pleases the Office
seekers at home, and it does. no harm in
Washington city. No matter whether
the administration OF that law is a sue
cessor not, il enables statesmen to make
strong excuses for not getting their
friends into Office Who would sup
pose for a moment that the congress
men really want to repeal a law which
/ is useful to them, aud the existence of
which keeps many Of them in office,
year after year, for many years2
OF course there are statesmen and
I politicians in both houses Of congress.
with a prepOnderance of politicians
over the statesmen Some Of the hon
/ Orable gentlemen who have been talk
/ ing against the civil service law are
honest in what they say It would be
unfair for any correspondent to criti-
/ else them individually and say who is
sincere and who is insincere. That
would be violation Of that highest Of
al laws: Judge not. that ye be not
! judged
During the recent discussions Gen.
i GrOsveaor, Of Ohio, was the most We
/ hement denunciator Of the law. and Mr..
Johnson, Of Indiana, was the foremost
/ defender Of the law Ar Brosius. Of
/ Pennsylvania, was also prominent as
/ defender Of the law and the manner Of
/ its administration. IT is singular fact
/ that Gen GrosvenOr has long been re-
! garded as one Of the most stanch Pc
litical friends Of President Mckinley.
and yet be denounces the law which the
president IS trying so hard to enforce
A shrewd politician suggests 20 the
writer that may be Mckinley IS not SO
much in favor Of the extreme enforce
ment Of the law as he is supposed 10 be
Pc seems 80 me that be Is acting on the
principle eauneizted by Gen Grant.
I Lhal -LLs HaL % Eecure Ias rereal 81 =