The age-herald., 1898-01-16

The discussion of the civil service law that has recently taken place in the house of representatives at Washington was "a good thing. It should be encouraged. It is to be regretted that Speaker Reed in his czar-like methods saw fit to choke off de- bate. If there is anything the people of this country would like to know, and be well-informed upon the subject, it is the sham and humbug of the civil service re- form. If the average civil service reform CT was an honest man it would be a diff ferent thing. But he is not In ninety-nine cases out of every hundred he is humbug and a fraud. He is generally the most stu pendous liar in the community. He would steal if he were not afraid of going to the penitentary. He is opposed to all persons holding office excepting himself, and his civil service reform friends. The civil ser- vice commission at Washington has been by no means a credit to the honor and dig nity of the country. Nor to the respecta- bilfty of the law which that commission is supposed to faithfully execute. The theory of civil service is not bad, but the manner in which it has been practiced since its adoption in this country has been a dis grace to intelligence and honesty. The civil service reformers have sought to make 1t appear that it is disgrace to solicit and hold office. Yet these same individuals are always mixing up in politics. If they can get the offices themselves, officeholding is then a virtue. Unless they do secure office 1t is then a crime to hold office. It has been conclusively proven that the civil ser vice commission has been composed of some of the most dishonest men in the United States. Their dishonesty is hidden under the cloak of hypocrisy. They claim to pos- sess virtue but they have it not. l know fifty or more young men in Washington who have secured position in the-g govern ment under civil service rules who, if put upon their own resources to make a living, would starve to death. The examination which civil service aplicants are supposed to pass is about he most impractical lot of questions that could possibly be put to any one.
 What possible harm can there be to Q young man who wants to secure govern ment position? If more young men would take part in political matters there would be a better administration of public af- fairs. It is generally the dude, the brain- less idiot, the man without any practical sense who regards it as disgraceful to know anything about politics. man could be a good business man and at the same time he ought to have familiarity with political affairs. This government existed without civil service from the time of its formation until 1883. It's business was conducted with as much intelligence and honesty as it has been since civil service was adopted. It will do harm to modify the civil service rules. I do not know but that it would be just as well to repeal the law completely President Cleveland claimed to be a civil service reformer, but he was not He jug gled with it for political effect as much, if not more, than any who has been president since it has been in force
 There seems to be a great deal of talk about the necessity for more police officers in this city. That may be true. There is no doubt that something is needed Hardly a night passes that there are not numerous