The Mena weekly star., 1898-02-16


 (''We will ask nothing more and will take
 nothing less than change in this law.o 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 1t. 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 While arguing against the law, they are really hoping that it will not be repealed.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, it is true. The civil service law has saved the political scalp of many 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 statesmanship. They depend upon po- htical friends who work for them to keep them in popular favor. Those friends naturally want rewards for their political services. The only way to secure reward is to seek and obtain federal office. For this boon they de- pend upon their congressman. If the congressman cannot help the men who help them they will soon find them selves politically friendless. and will lose their exalted positions.
 Under existing circumstances, the congressman can say to their friends and packers: This civil service law is so administered that no offices can be 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 officeseeker 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 it 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. It is officially reported that dur ing the past year there were 50000 ap- plications for federal appointment made 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 But, supposing that the civil service law should be repealed, it is safe to as- sume that there would be ten. times as many people apply for office, when they would not be obliged to pass ex- animation. Consequently, the con- gressmen would have half a million of 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 bit of it. On the contrary, the civil service law is a safeguard for them. It protects them against the political henchmen and of- But, inasmuch as the statesmen have talked and written to their packers 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 al home, and 1t does no harm in city. No matter whether the administration of that law is a sue cess or not. 1t enables statesmen to make | strong excuses for not getting their friends into office. Who would SUD- pose for a moment that the congress- men really want to repeal law which | s useful to them, and the existence of | which keeps many of them in office. year after year. for many years?
 Of course there are statesmen and | politicians in both houses of congress,