Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-01-21
T''z CORVALLIS GAZETTE.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2l, 1902.
OFFICIAL PATRONAGE.

IL was oOfS1iiOl 4s1oANy vi ~NS"
York, we believe who first de-
clared, with reference to govern
ment positions within executive
eontro1-s'to the victor belong
the spoils." President Jackson
was the first president to grasp
all the patronage he could control
and then dispense it rewarding
bis personal and political friends
and in developing and building
up q Jacksonian party. 1t was
easy for succeeding executives to
initiate his methods.
Removal from Office for politi-
cal reasons became the rule and
was extended to include every
one holding a government posi-
ton by appointment. As ap-
pointive officers necessarily mul-
tiplied rapidly the patronage In
the hands of the executive be
came a mighty instrument in en-
abling him to carry out policies,
to control legislation, to shape
the very destiny of the nation.
There sprang up a most
vicious, debasing and dangerous
"spoils Of office" system which
exerted a banefu1 influence upon
every community.
A demand for reform ultimate
1y arose and gathered strength
and influence slowly but surely
until in 1883 it found expression
in IAN act to regulate and i'm
prove the civil service of the
United States" commonly known
as the civil service act. This
act Classics the civil service and
requires that employment in the
service must be obtained through
competitive and public examina-
ton as to necessary qualifications.
Much de1nagogy has been prac'
ticed in the name of civil service.
It's over Jealous friends have fire.
quently done the cause as great
harm as its avowed enemies have.
The system is not perfect by any
means. 1t is a most difficult un-
dertaking to fit system of civil
service to the genius of our gov
ernment. Americans are acCuS.
toned to believe that a right tc
hold office is inherent to Ameri-
can citizenship, and each citizen
is ready to declare himself quail
fed to fill any office, whether
elective or appointive, from viii
1age pound master up to presi-
dent of the United States.
There are also many good pa
triotic men who deplore the evils
of the spoils system yet fear the
creation of a privileged Office
holding class. The evils correct
ed were most serious and palpa-
bic to every one, while those
feared from the reform are main
ly imaginary, SO the reform
movement steadily grows in pop
ular faver. The scope of civil
service will be enlarged from
time to time, and the provisions
brought up to better adaptable
ity and consequent efficiency.
Apart from the fact that the
president controls the admins
tration of the civil service law,
he yet has at his disposal power
full and extensive public patro-
mage. The disposal of this,
whether directly, through the
heads of departments, or to SEN
ators and congressman forms no
enviable part of his duties. 1t is
doubtless the source of much an
noyance aud perplexity, and even
when carefully disposed of many
eventuate in humiliation and
regret.
1t is somewhat unfortunate and
also rather ludicieus when grave
cannot agree upon a
man for appointment to office, as
is the case in Washiugton's dele
CATION, Oregon's and other states.
1t is unfortunate for the president,
for the aspirants and for the SELL
ator who desires to reward old
friends or secure new ones.
The ludicrous feature may be
expressed in an old time nursery
sugar in the
gourd. but I cannot get it out"