The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-06-07
CIVIL SERVICE ORDER
Ofthc Prcsident--Most Objectionable
Features Swept Away.

Features Swept Away.
Washington Post Qnd): The PresI-
dent. we fancy. is concerning himself
very little with the abuse and re-
proaches now heaped upon him. because
OF his recent civil service order. II
was TO have been expected that the yell
lows and the Mugwumps would assall
him with frenzy. He counted upon
upon that. and being man OF singular
equanlmity and good sense, he has not
permitted 1t to disturb his mind. The
rational and Intelligent people of the
country are with him. and the result
will be his vindication.
Even IL there were involved In this
order nothing more than the undoing Of
Mr.. Clerelands deplorable work OF four
years ago. 1t would still be righteous
and Just act. Under Mr.. Clevelnnd's
administration hundreds and hundreds
OF government employees were elected
and filed by political partisans OF his.
He became solicitous as to their merit"
after he had installed them by favor.
His civil service order, subsequently,
proclaimed. did not contemplate, any
demonstration Of their fitness. That
order was issued merely to pcrpetuate
their incumbency. It was Inspired by
the spirit OF the merit system about
as much as nightmare Is distinguished
by order and conference. Mr.. Mckln-
ley, however, has spoken for reason and
propriety and tho welfare of the pub
lie service. He has beneticently destroy
ed many OF the most abominable and
silly features of the civil service estab-
lishment. The Idea that responsible
officials should have to go to a board
Of school masters for their private Sec
retarles; that financial officers should
have to get their deputies from Mr..
Procter's commission-these and many
other Ideas quite MS stupid have been
promptly and effectualiy disposed Of.
There 10 one strong argument In ia
yor. of the civil service institution. It
relieves the President. his cabinet off,
GERS and members of Congress from the
opportunities of campaign workers
who seek the smaller and more. insignif-
icant places as their reward. Quite a
large percentage of these places are bet
ter left as they are. Changes would
not. as rule. improve the situation.
Indeed. for the sake OF decency. and to
avert the distasteful spectacle OF vul-
Sar scramble, and to protect high off,
Gals from persecution by hungry ap-
plicants, we are ready. to concede n
certain usefulness to the civil service
commission. But when It comes to n
question Of character and special fitness
for responsible and confidential work,
we hold the commission as thing out
side OF serious consideration.
Mr.I'Mckinley, has. as n matter Of
fact. strengthened the civil service In
stltution by divesting 1t of Its most
odious and offensive features. 1t is
ensy to ascertain by reference 10 the
debates and votes In Congress during
the past few years that the civil SER
Vice commission has been steadily ad-
vancing in dlsfavor and distrust. Its
scheme has been expanded beyond the
limits of real usefulness. Its.preten-
slons have become tiresome. Mr.. Nc
kinley has swept away the worst and
most objectionable causes of irritation,
and the intelligent and patriotic ee-
ments of'our population will applaud
and thank him.