Evening star., 1933-05-24
The Spoils System Is
Back i'm Full Force
To the Editor Of The Star

Tne historian BaSSett, IN speaking OF
the spoils system which disgraced the
Jacksonian administration, says: Most
Of Jackson's appointees we're inexperi-
enced men, many Of them were incom-
petent, and few proved dishonest" 1t
would be well if the Democratic leaders
inaugurating the same system in 1888
would read the history of the former
period.
For, very quietly. but deliberately, the
present administration is carrying forth
its plans for filing thousands Of po-
sitions with Democrats, regardless of
ability, efficiency, or services already
rendered the Government.
The first move was in the wide dis
semination of a published list of all
positions not under Civil Service. u
publication which sold for high prices
in such stores as managed to obtain it.
The second step was the authority
for 'remodeling' the Government de-
partments. the results of which are 10
become public shortly when thousands
of experienced, capable employees,
previously selected on a merit, and not
a party system. will be discharged.
An attempt was made to discharge all
employees of thiry years service, but the
panied astonishment of millions of
voters who questioned the practical re-
suit has apparently mitigated this, al
though the actual result remains to pe
observed
An attempt was then made to dis
charge employees coming from those
States whose Civil Service quota was
over the requisite number allowed such
States. no consideration being given the
fact that such employees were put in
office because other States, at the time
their services were needed, could not fill
their quota. 1t is to the additional
glory of a certain Democrat, who TO
save his soul refused a place on the
cabinet, that this attempt may be
While the Government departments
are being "reorganized on the one
hand" and thousands of employees
dropped, with great deal of publicity
being given to balancing the budget" i"
on the other hand great deal of So
called emergency legislation is being
put through, the expenditures of which,
for some mysterious reason, are not to
be considered as belonging to the
budget" and the employees of which
are not to be selected through the
meritorious Civil Service system, open
to Democrats, Republicans and all
other parties, but the appointments are
to be made entirely of Democrats,
backed by the statements of the State
Democratic committeeman, and are to
be awards for services rendered"
The holding of of the awarding OF
the patronage has been very cleverly
conceived. Even the Democratic Sen
ators themselves failed to understand
the countrywide machinery designed
for their assistance and were becoming
indignant at what they considered the
usual rights in awarding a certain
amount OF patronage, 20 per cent OF
Government appointments having un-
til 1888, escaped Civil Service qualifica-
tionS.
An indignation meeting was held of
these Democratic Representatives and
Senators. at which Mr. Farley was pres
ent, and those who had gathered to pro-
test, emerged. not only minus protests,
but II one may use vulgar term, de-
scended perhaps from an ancient pork
narrei, licking their chops. Until that
lime tney mad failed to grasp the mag
before their very eyes. Mr.. Farley had
evidently made it perfectly clear.
1t Is respectfully submitted that it
might at this stage be just as well to
abolish the Civil Service Commission,
since 1t will be practically inactive dur
ing the next four years-no additions to
any except those bureaus created for
emergency legislation" being contem-
plated.
Secretary Wallace of the Department
OF Agriculture, realizing that the use
OF inexperienced political appointees
would result in no relief for the farmer.
announced that his policy in connection
With the Farm Loan Bureau, organized
Tor emergency relief, would be to speed
actual relief by using experienced en-
pioyes already in the Department OF
agriculture, who otherwise would be
dropped by the Reorganization plan.
HIS purpose, he stated, was to relieve
the farmer, and that in the most eff
cient and the quickest way possible, and
sucn relief did not bear the waiting to
oreak into work individuals not familiar
win Government procedure and select
eo on only political basis.
Wnereupon a representative of the
House. member of the unofficial House
Patronage Committee, directed a protest
against such action on the part of the
Secretary Of Agriculture, declaring that
the Agriculture Department had an
nounced its intention to select personnel
from the Civil Service workers now in
washington, irrespective of what the
democrats on this side of the House
want"
Ine results of the system may be
pointed out: Emergency legislation
VIII cost great deal and relieve a few
democrats only; the budget will not be
balanced PIT GREEN