The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-11-10
REFORMING CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.


attributed to him, and issue an orde
undoing some of the malfeasance c
President Cleveland in the matter O
Civil Service. Nothing could hav
been greater mockery of genuine
Civil Service reform than Mr.. Cleve
lands course. He found the place.
under him largely filled by veterans o
the rebellion, who had been given then
in pursuance of the pledges made by
the country, in which both the great
parties Joined. As a rule they had
filled them for years, had devoted their
lives to learning the duties, and were
competent and faithful. There was
every reason in the world why they
should have been retained in the SER
vice. Every civilized country supports
the principle that men who have fought
for the country on the field of battle have
the first claim to any office or employ
ment in the gift of the Government
In no other way can a man gain go
good claim. Then these men had
proved themselves capable and efficient,
and they gave the Government the bene-
fit of years of experience. If Civil
Service Reform meant anything, it meant
that they were anchored to their places
firmly as a rock. But Mr.. Cleveland
turned them out by thousands-by
actual thousands in Washington City
alone. The numbers were not so great
in other cities and towns, but the pro-
portion to the Union veterans employed
was the same. To have served the
country three or four years, in a fight
ing regiment, seemed to be the best and
surest reason why clerk or other
officer or employee should lose his
official head. Having run the guillotine
to his satisfaction, Mr. Cleveland pro-
ceeded to FIJI the vacancies by political
henchman, and then issued an order
placing them all, including many classes
never contemplated by the laws, under
Civil Service. He did this on the very
eve of his retirement from Office. 1t
was after the election had been decided
against him, and its only object was to
perpetuate his wrong-doing, and give
bis henchmen a lifelong lease On places
unjustly given them.
This utter perversion of the intent
aad spirit Of the Civil Service laws has
been allowed to continue until now
nearly two years after Mr.. Cleveland's
retirement from office. The worthy men
he wrongfully turned out are generally
still out-their places are still filed, and
their salaries drawn by the men without
rightful claims that he put in. No
canting by such hypocrites as Larry
Godkin and Carl Schurz can gloss over
this malfeasance. They know it was a
gross ofense, and that every day of its
continuance is an aggravation. Presi-
dent Mckinley cannot afford to be its
accomplish by permitting its continu-
ance.
1t is 10 be hoped that he will make
his order still more sweeping than at
present foreshadowed. 1t should abso-
lutely revoke that issued in the diving
days Of Cleveland's Administration, pro-
vide Tor the restoration OF the system
TO the condition it was when Cleveland
laid his mangling hand upon it, and
conclude with clause making manda-
tory and emphatic that preference in all
kinds of public employment to all Union
veterans in every species of public en-
ployment which the laws direct shall be
given.
Every man who served bis country
faithfully in the time of her extreme
peril should be considered as having the
first claim on any office or place that he
is qualified to fill. He has actual rights
in this respect, that should be regarded
as giving the first title to consideration.
KhJ..GEEl. JOHN POPE'S