Year: 1877

To the Editor OF the Tribune:


SIR: The one thing at which Civil Ser


vice Reform and all other Reform should
above all things aim is to be straightfor.


ward and manly, to see things as they
are. to accept the truth and admit the
truth and speak the truth and act the
truth. In this we may indeed learn a
lesson from England. Says the sturdy
Englishman, To be a Member of the
British Parliament is a prize we'll worth
any price that can be paid for it short of
wading through dirt and disbonor No
other great European nation has any
thing like il to offer 20 the ambition, for
in no other great country Of Europe has
the popular Constitution obtained, as
with US true sovereignty and power OF
rule When man lays bimself out to
be Member Of Parliament, he plays the
highest game. and for the highest stakes
which the country affords" These are
manly words. The popular Constitution
is as sovereign in America as in England
member of the American Congress il
as near the heart of the worlds history
as a Member Of the British Parliament
The path Of the American Congress
through history has been as steadily and
signally honorable and beneficent as that
of the English Parliament; but there is
not willing in newspaper Office from
Maine to California who does not fancy
himself to be revealing his own wisdom
and worth and showing ! is title of en-.
trance to good society in uttering con-
temptuous words of Congress In Eng
land a man simply and frankly an
nounces himself as a candidate and goes
to work openly to secure his end We
besmear ourselves with mock-modesty.
We are shocked at the spectacle of a man
openly declaring himself a candidate for
Congress or Office. The Rev Edward
Payson Hammond bids the Newburyport
children 90 home and tell their
fathers and mothers how much
they love dear Mr.. Hammond, and the
CoDgregationalist tells its readers what a
good paper il is, and they must
pull hard and steady on the same string
and commend the Congregationalist to
their friends rs they have opportunity
but Immediately turns over to its polit
ical column and calls aloud that this
country wants the Office to seek the
man and not the man the Office" Yet
water does not run up hill in this coun-
try more than in any other. 1t is as
true in politics as in religion and educa-
tion and trade that it is he that asketh
who receiveth, and he that seeketh find
eth, and to him that knocketh it shall be
opened. The result is not to prevent
men from seeking Office, but to tempt
them to seek it in a roundabout way
and we have the spectacle of the most
prominent Reform candidate for the
most important position in the country
privately STOPPING to more. and more
Objectionable, devices than have ever be.
fore been practised, while growing red in
the face with proclaiming through the
land his blushiDg modesty, and the i'm
possibility oi his consenting to take any
step for his own Advancement English
Civil Service Reform says frankly through
its exponent in the Westminster Re
view:


1t is indispensable that the high posts I'm the
permanent service of the Nation should be left
at the disposal of the Crown. A Cabinet Is in
debted tor It's existence 60 It's supporters In Par
lament; and IL must have at his command the
ways and means Of requiting its supporters.
The superior appointments under the Crown
. are fair prizes for the lower classes Of
fIy or the ambition which alone can force a
way TO the great ministerial posts, and the SUI
preine control OF administration.


Mr.. Carl Schurz says Hayes has
shown great courage in speaking out be-
tore his election. against the system of
booty. thus cutting off to his friends all
hope of reward.


The English Reformers are talking
sense and Mr. Carl Schurz is talking non
sense. The English Reiormers are talk
ing with some knowledge Of human ma.
ture, and Mr. Carl Schurz is not Indeed,
think i give Mr. Schurz too much
credit. man who has shown so very
lively sense Of the reward due to his own
merit can hardly claim the indemnity Of
the mere theorist, in insisting that all
men shall do their duty without any
hope of reward The result is not that
President Hayes's friends receive no re-
ward, but that a thousand devices and
excuses and apologies and exceptions
have to be made, which cast a cloud of
suspicion and ridicule over the whole
matter. Let us face the fact that men
are inevitably and honorably-at least
not dishonorably-selfis and enlist
their selhshness in the cause of good gov
ernment.


Another fact that should be borne in
mind is that the people are sovereign,
that their will expressed in constitution
al ways is the law, and not what they
ought to will; that even where their will
is not definitely expressed it is safer and
better TO study it and execute it than to
defy it. Regarding tenure Of Office, for
instance, there may be one principle bet
ter than another. but it Is yet a matter of
experiment For myself, | have no
opinion. 1t would seem we'll that a man