Evening star., 1939-06-27
ratifying and confirming the choice


OF some one else.
Perhaps we may be too realistic
when we point to the fact that this
measure includes things which both
major political parties have been
promising the people Of this coun-
try since 1876. I trust 1t is not
unkind to call attention to the fact
that such promises have been writ
ten, as a rule, by the party which
was no. in power.
In 1876, the Democratic party
declared that positions In Govern
ment should be given, not as a
reward for party zeal, but as posts
of honor assigned for proved COM
potency, and held for fidelity in
the public employ"
In 1892, our party, complaining
OF abuses of political appointees
controlling conventions, said:
Public office is a public trust
We reaff1rm the declaration of
the Democratic National Con-
vention of 1876 for the reform
of the civil service, and we
call for the honest enforcement
of all laws regulating the same.
'"' We denounce a policy un-
der which Federal oficeholders
usurp control of party conven-
tions in the States, and we
pledge the Democratic party to
the reform of these and all
other abuses which threaten in
dividual liberty and local self
government"
1924 Pledge Cited.
AS late as 1924, the Democratic
party declared for the very prin-
ciple included in section 8, and said:
I'VE pledge the Democratic
party faithfully to comply with
the spirit as we'll as the regu-
lation of civil service; to extend
its provisions to internal reve-
nue. officers and to other en-
ployes of the Government not
in executive positions"
The declarations of the Republican
party have been as strong as those
of the Democratic party, yet today
many of the evils against which
these platforms declare, continue to
exist.
In the light of party platform
promises, I truly hope the pending
measure will receive the ardent sup
port of both major parties, and that
it may soon become the law of the
land. If it should be defeated, I
trust the responsible persons will be
prepared to assume full responsible
ity for that defeat, for assuredly that
responsibility will not be difficult to
fix.
We who have sponsored this bill
do not hope to correct all the evils
which have grown up over the years.
We do hope to make some start
toward bringing about these greatly
needed reforms.
In doing so, no thought has been
given to the effect on any particu-
lar election or the ambitions or
hopes of any individual, and Ger
tainly not of any party If there are
those who profess to see any politi-
cal significance or maneuvering in
the present bill, let me say for the
authors of the bill. those persons are
mistaken. No such maneuvering ex-
lists. My co-authors, the Senator
from Texas, Mr. Sheppard, man
long and favorably known in public
life, is loyal Democrat, devoted to
the principles of his party and an
ardent supporter in all of its cam
paigns. The Senator from Yer
mont, Mr.. Austin, is a Republican,
an honorable gentleman and a pa
triotlc statesman. The three of us
have sought to avoid partisan con-
sideration; we have tried to work for
what we conceive to be the welfare
OF America and her people.
The founders Of this Republic never
dreamed that the spoils system
would be fastened on the Govern
ment structure. Able men have spo-
ken and written on this subject at
length, but no finer statement can
be found than that which appears
IN commentaries on the Constitu-
ton by Justice Story, where it is
said:
1T should never be forgotten
that in Republican government
offices are established and are to
be filled, not to crafty private
interests and private attach
ments; not as means of cor
rupt influence or individual
profits; not for cringing favorites
or court sycophants, but for the
purposes of the highest public
good, to give dignity and strength,
purity and energy to the admin
istration of the laws"
The authors and supporters of
this bill hope that in some meas
ure, it may, when enacted into law,
serve the purposes of the "higest
public good" We hope it may give
some dignity and strength, purity
oyoH anornxy 70 fLn