Year: 1871

CIVIL SERVICE REFORM


The Commissioners appointed by the Presi-
dent to devise rules for the improvement of
the Civil Service are understood to be in some
doubt az to the nature of their duties and the
scope of the proposed reform The law under
which they are to act authorizes the President
to prescribe such rules and regulations for the
admission of persons into the Civil Service of
the United States as win best promote the
efficiency thereof, and to employ suitable per-
sons to conduct the necessary inquiries. A
radical change in our whole system of Fed
eral appointments might be made in virtue of
this law, or the Commissioners might cOnfne
themselves to few unimpOrtant improve
ments in the practice of examination of can
didates which is now more or less faithfully
carried out in several of the Washington
bureaus. After all, the iDefRciency of clerks
is the least of the evils of the exist
ing system. Our correspondent in Washing
ton has reminded us that whatever mfy be
the character and capacity of Federal Office
holders in large cities like New York, those of
the capital are, upon the whole, respectable
body of men and women who do their work
about as well as government clerks anywhere
The business might be done better and cheaper
if the places were open to competition and
promotion went by merit, as it does in mer-
chants counting house but with some excep-
tons it is still done tolerably well, and an ex-
tension of the present system of examinations
would not permanently improve it. "a mere
pass examination says j. S. Mill, "never, in
"the long run, does moro than exclude abso-
"lute ounces" There is no assurance that 1T
will do even that, for there is constant ten
dency to let it degenerate into mere formal
ity, like the examination of the candidate in
Washington who was asked nothing but his
name and what he had for breakfast.


The curse Of our Civil Service is patronage,
not because it gives us bad clerks, but be-
cause it cOrrupts our politics. Since the Dem
ocratic doctrine was enunciated that "TO
"the victors belong the spoils," party politics
have been managed by system of bargain
and sale which is really no better than bribery.
A Congressman of the dominant party has come
to consider himself entitled to the disposition
of share of all the clerkships in Washington
and all the Federal offices in the district he
represents. They are perquisites which he
distributes in reward for services at the polls
or in the caucus, or in payment for renoml-
nation. TwO-thirds of the time (which he Is
paid to devote to the business of the patton
must be spent in settling the claims of impor-
tunate candidates, and getting rid OF those
whom he can venture to offend without dan
ger to his own reelection. There is no real
difference between buying his supporters with
money and buying them with offices, except
IL IL. l. taIrn thn aah
from his own pocket, and in the other he
takes it from the National Treasury.
Nor is the evil confined to congressman. 1t
pervades all branches of the Government from
COllectorships up to the Presidency. and it is
easy to see how an unscrupuious Auh'iiSi"-
ton can use its patronage to enforce pohcy
ia which the majority of the people are op-
nosed. or TO secure continuance In power
against the real wishes of the people. Even
supposing that there is no attempt TO use the
amounting mower as a mere political engine,
its exercise is no better than nuisance that
blocks the wheels of Government. III Is no
"ficure of speech wrote ex-Secretary COX,
8" to saw that administering the Government
means the distribution and redistribution OF
its offices, and that its diplomacy, finance,
&" military. naval, and internal administration
" are the minor affairs which the settled policy
of the country has relegated to such odds
"and ends of time as may be snatched from
"the greater cares of Office"


The only way to reform this is to abolish
patronage altogether. Throw open offices to
competition. Subject candidates to search
ing examination by competent board OF COM
missioners. Give the place to the best man,
and let him stay in it as long as he discharges
its duties faithfully. Make promotions in the
same manner. Take no recommendations or
testimonials except as to the applicants moral
character. Don't consider his politics. Do MT
reward him for services to the party.
Don't ask for his support. Don't tax
him for campaign expenses. Then each
party will go before the country solely on its
record and its principles, and the power of an
administration to influence elections by cor
ruption will be almost destroyed. Probably
the trainers of the recent Civil Service bill did


not contemplate such radical and wholesome
| reform az this but the law, though some
| what vague, seems to authorize it. Nothing


less than this will do US much substantial


good and if it should be carried out by the


present Commission, Gen. Grant will have


shown courage, patriotism, and practical
| good sense which his cOuntrymen Will not fai
| TO honor


| BOMBSHELL DIPLOMACY.


In 1866 an American trading schooner, vOy.