Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-23
The Same Old Bryan.

Aside from the curiosity of the general
nubIfc as to which faction of the local
democracy Mr.. Bryan would favor or by
which he would be captured, the chief con-
Germ of the District in his coming was
aroused by the question of what he nilght
say on the subject of civil service -Four
wears ago he spoke frankly on this topic.
declaring in favor OF a civil service III which
the incumbent should have fixed term, in
order tc prevent the growth OF an office
holding class" This doctrine was in har-
mnny With the Chicago platform and no
doubt orerated to ALLEVIATE from Mr.. Bryan
some democrats who otherwise might have
persuaded themselves into supporting him.
Todays utteraHces at the B. and O. depot
prove that Mr.. Bryan has net changed his
views in the least in respect to the civil
service. He still believes in a fixed tenure
for the government clerk. for rotation in
office which means spoils for the victorious
party and nothing else. He stands as the
advocate of frequent changes in a service
requiring stability to ensure good returns
to the government employer. He beSpeaks
opportunity for the head of the administra-
ton to sweep away all the relics of another
administration. and to replace the faithful
clerks and subordinate officials with fresh
materials.
This sort of civil service once tried
in this country. There was then fixed
tenure of office, that IS 10 say, tenure
fixed by the life of the dominant party.
There We're changes so frequent as to pre-
vent the growth of an ofice-holding class.
There were no government autocrats'' so
much dreaded by the siplon-pure popocrat
of today. There was no stability in the
service. Men came. learned enough of their
duties to enable them to hold on to their
jnhs
gratefully, paid few bills as possible
saved as much they could out of their
stipends. and then departed when the
change of government came
The enactment and enforcement of the
civil service law changed this. 1t injected
order into the system. 1t prevented parti-
san appointments by the wholesale. 1t put
Influence at a discount. 1t put merit at
premium. 1t pledged to the incumbe t
retention in Office during good behavior ard
Furthermore promised him promotion as
rapidly as he might earn it. The govern
ment service became business-like where
before it was sip-shod and even loose in
principle. 1t felt the impulse of the honest
motive which had been applied to it and
the government was UNNECESSARILY the
gamer From being a temporary camping
place Washington developed into a city of
permanent homes.
To this system Mr. Bryan objects. He
bases his objection on the ridiculous pre-
tense that there is a danger that an office
holding class in this country will grow to
the jeopardy of the liberties and fortunes
of the people. The ugly face of the spoils
monster leers from behind this mask Such
sentiment may appeal to the ward heller,
the office-seeher, the politician for revenue.
but they will not appeal to the business
man. the merchant. the thoughtful man of
affairs. capable Of seeing the vast differ
ence between 4 government run on the
basis Of a quadrennial shake-up and one
maintained on the merit system. with con-
sidera ton for the aptitude and the fidelity
ot its employees.