Year: 1871

The New York Sun (Radical), in referring
to the joint resolution passed by Congress,
respecting the manner of making appointments
to office in the civil service of the Government,
offers few suggestions to the President. The
resolution authorizes Mr.. Grant, as President,
to prescribe such rules and regulations for the
admission of persons TO the civil service as in
his judgment will best promote its efficiency,
and as will best ascertain the fitness, health,
character, knowledge, ability and age of each
candidate. The resolution also authorizes him
to employ persons to conduct such inquiries
and to establish regulations for the conduct OF
those who may receive appointments, and he
is also empowered to prescribe fees to be paid
by persons applying for official positions. The
Sun thereupon suggests for the guidance of the
President the following rules or regulations:


/. All relations of the President, or of any
member of his family, or of his wite's family,
should be considered us fit, qualified and suita.
BILE for any branch of the public service, and
should be regarded as perfectly entitled to any
place or places which they may prefer or de-





examination whatever should be required from
any relation of the President, or from any re.
lation of any of bis relations. In order To
avoid accidents, however, all applicants for
office who expect to be appointed by reason of
their relationship to the President, or To any
member of his or his wife's family, should be
required to tlle documentary evidence that
they are in reality related to him or them
either by birth or marriage or spiritual affinity.
Relations should be preferred in proportion TO
the nearness OF their relationship.


III. Persons who give presents To the Presi.
dent should be- entitled to appointments with
out examination, or any other evidence that
they are qualified beyond proof OF the fact
that they have given presents. So far as pos
sible the offices conferred should be proper.
TUNED To the magnitude and value of the. pres
ents given. This class Of applicants should al
ways have the preference next after the rela-
tions OF the President or of his or OF his wite's
relations.


. ILL., As evidence of knowledge, ability, and
character, testimony may be- submitted that
the applicant has succeeded in making money
out OF any confidential position he may have
previously held; as. for instance, If he has
been railway director, by betraying the in
terests of the stockholders. or If be has been
employed rs n legal adviser, by selling his eli
ents To the opposite parties. Proofs of talent
and success in this direction should be regarded
IA of the first consequence. and as commend.
ing the candidate to the most valuable and
confidential Offices.


" No person not n relation of the Presi-
dent, or who has not given him presents,
should be appointed to any office unless he be-
longs TO the Temperance Society


By observing these fundamental principles
and giving them due prominence aud weight
in the rules and regulations to be prescribed,
there can be no doubt that the President will
soon be able to bring about thorough reform
in the civil service, and to elevate it to a
wholesome and satisfactory condition.