Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-04-06
THURSDAY. APRIL 8, 1922.
BACK TO THE sPOILs SYSTEM.


various comments thereon, there is an
evident purpose on the part or the
Harding administration to bring the
government back TO the offensive
spoils system in the award of Fed
sral patronage. at least as far as may
be possible without tearing the Civil
Service and the laws by which it was
created into tatters. The recent sum-
mary removals from office In Wash
ington. according TO statements COM
Ing from administration headquarters,
We're not made on the ground OF the |
inefilciency or dishonesty Of the in
cumbents. The natural conclusion.
therefore, az they were Democrats, |
Is that they were removed solely for /
the purpose of making room for Re- |
snoils system in full force and effect. !
The spoils system means the award
OF pubic places in government TO
olIy the political adherents Of the ad-
unnistration in power, without much
regard to essential considerations. II
was established in England as early
as the administration OF William III,
and soon thereafter was largely adj
vanced by change which gave to
Parliament far more official patronage
than to the crown. II proved so de-
the public service, that reform efforts
wore made, early in the Nineteenth
Century. and continued until, about
1855, AT effective Civil Service was
established. which has been main
tanned there 10 this day.
The spells system in the distribu-
ton OF Federal Offices did not gener-
ally prevail in our country until An
drew jackson became President. in
1929, although some Of his predeces-
sors had AT times given evidences OF
son the rule OF Democrats only for
Federal appointments became almost
iron clad, the only notable exception
being In respect of General Van Rens-
selaer, Wing postmaster at Albany,
a gallant soldier OF the War Of 1912,
whom jackson retained in Office
throughout his two terms, despite the
mos, persistent appeals for a change
because, as ne declared, that old
man has two pounds OF British lead
in his body"
The spoils system was vigorously
attacked during Jackson's administra-
lions. and as vigorously defended
Senator William L. Marcy of New
York. It's valiant champion. achieving
a notoriety that has attached TO hi:
name TO this day by declaring in th'
Senate: I'VE can see nothing wrons
in the maxim, TO the victors belon,
the spoils.'"
II was not until 1867 that advocate
OF the merit system made any impress
upon Congress, but the movement
then Started resulted in the adoption o
our Civil Service. with its large ex
tension OF the merit system to numer
Gus Offices under the general govern
ment. So far as the law il concerned
ne backward step has ever been taker
but on the contrary, the law has bee
changed SO a. 10 largely increase tn
scope OF the Civil Service.
To most Of the politicians OF tn
two leading political parties. how
ever. the Civil Service has ever bee
a thorn In the flesh. but they hav
never had the nerve to move for 4,
abolition. or even its serious impair
ment, by changes In the law. 7
most OF the Presidents, however.
has proved a boon. as it operated
relieve them of very material pa,
Of the wearisome and irritating bu,
den Of satisfying the importunate az
peais OF party workers for publ
Office.
Now, for the first time since Il
birth OF Civil Service Reform in o.
country, we see indications of a r
turn to the spoils system. as far
may be possible under prevailing a
rnngsmsnts. and Of its favor by Il
President. This is most unfortunat
Far better would it be for Preside
Harding to sternly repress any upri
ings In the direction of restoring 4
former evil system Of making pub