Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-06-01

mcBiniey's kaid on CIVIL Service.
1t is significant that at this time,
when the State campaigns that will
have important bearings upon the
national political situation next year
are being entered upon, President Nc
Kinley begins his attack upon the
Civil Service. Monday, according to
Washington adyices, he issued an order
removing absolutely from the opera
tions of tho Civil Service law about
5000 of the most important places
among the 5000 in the classified lists.
These places include hundreds that pay
good salaries and should be and are
now filled by men who are especially
qualified for the duties.
In addition to this direct turning
over as spoils all these places for which
examination is particularly necessary
and from which examination excludes
those whose talents are purely ''politi-
CAL" Mr.. Mckinley has SO modified
the rules that it is now possible to APP
point 1.-THE faithful" to laborcrs posi-
tions without examination and then
advance Thorn to any positions, however
high, without their having to pass q
competitive examination.
The order of the President is an in
direct notification of practically the
whole Civil Service system. An
especial feature of the order is that it
takes practically the whole Of the In
dian and Alaskan services out of the
classified lists and turns them over as
| spoils.
How different is the sentiment of this
order from the ante-election pledges OF
the Republican party and Of President
Mckinley. The convention that nomi.
mated Mckinley renewed its repeated
declarations that it 1.-THE Civil Service
lawl shall be thoroughly and honestly
enforced, and extended wherever prac.
ticable." And Mr.. Mckinley, in his
inaugural address, positively declared,
II shall attempt its enforcement in
the spirit in which it was enacted"
There is only one explanation. Presi.
dent Mckinley is working his wires fol
a denomination. He may get it, but
will his violation Of party and per
sonal pledges and his assault upor
Civil Service Reform aid him in secur,
ing re. reelection? 1t is very doubtful.
1t may be said, says tho Baltimore
Sun. abiding to the Presidents order
that the President might have don't
worse. That will be readily admitted
He might have issued q proclamation
virtually multiplying the act of Congress
by which the Civil Service law wen
into operation, just as his administra
tion has nullified certain principles o
the Constitution in the war of subiuga
tion in the Philippines. That hi
order of exemption, however conserva
tive it may be regarded, is an unwar
ranted concession to the spoilsmen, can
not be denied. Unfortunately, th'
President stands in awe of the politi
clans and is working for a denomination
next year. To placate the spoilsmel
he has violated the pledges OF the plat
form upon which he was elected ii
1896. He may gain the support of som
who are spoils-hungry, and for tim
may close the mouths of General Gros
venor and the other spoilsmen of hi
party who are bitterly opposed to tn
merit system. In placatins this ele
ment, however, the President shoul
beware lest he offend grievously thos
! who regard the spoils system as one q
the greatest evils Of our political insti
buttons.