CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
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not strong political influence been exerted in their behalf. Offices were created and officers appointed for the public good, for the benefit of the whole people, and not for one party or a president and his friends. He who is best qualified, who can and will serve the people most usefully, has the highest claim and should receive the appointment over other applicants.
The peculiar manner in which places in the government service are secured, has a most injurious effect upon the people at large. Great numbers of men, young and old, are demoralized at the sight of the prizes seemingly so dependent upon favoritism. Those of middle age are unfitted for any steady occupation, while many young men with considerable reason are accustomed to think of government employment and promotion as the one exception to all healthy rules-things to be won by plotting and trickery and luck. The uncertainty in continuances in office produces a class of third-rate office-seekers and offers little inducement to an honest man to become proficient in his occupation.
The civil service of our kindred across the water is now a worthy example to all. Competitive examinations are held in all branches. When the ruling party goes out of power removals are made only in the active members of government. The compensation is moderate but the situation is sure, and there are pensions for old age or disability. Statesmen of both parties agree that it is a success, and the whole nation is determined never to go back to the old system.
Some of the best political thinkers attempting to look into the future, fear that serious contests will be aroused through bitterness of partisanship, and it has been said that if our country is ever again torn by civil dissensions, this will come through the devotion of political parties to the rival candidates to the presidency.
The many individual interests concerned in these presidential contests form great temptations to greed and fraud. Many believe that the presidency itself was on sale in 1876. Joseph Cook says: "Political prizes in the United States are now greater than they ever were in the Roman Empire, and are doubling in fatness and value every thirty years. Caesar, Antony, and Lepidus, were never tempted by spoils as alluring as will dazzle and perhaps derange the American political future."
Besides the corruption in politics and the undeserved appointments of which this system is to a great extent the cause, worthy and capable officers under the government are often treated most unjustly.
The Pendleton bill recently passed by congress is the only measure yet presented which claims to give a clear and intelligible path out of these difficulties.
It is democratic in tendency. The service is now thrown open to the whole people on the simple test, merit. Under this merit system the government seeks and rewards the most worthy; rejects intrigues and refuses to be overborne by threats or persuasions; encourages education and invites young men and women to seek places in its service on the strength of their own qualifications and not through subserviency to influential politicians.
It will relieve the president, cabinet ministers, senators and members of congress, from the constant annoyance of office-seekers and give them more time to devote to the interests of the nation.
It relieves politics of one of the main sources of corruption. It will doubtless lengthen the tenure of elected officers, enabling them to acquire more experience and to use it better. It will remove a great source of demoralization.
It will give us great results in the field of education.In all educational institutions