ce reform.

About forty years ago a system of making appointments to office
grew up, based on the maxim, "to the victors belong the spoils."
The old rule--the true rule--that honesty, capacity, and fidelity
constitute the highest claim to office, gave place to the idea that
partisan services were to be chiefly considered. All parties in
practice have adopted this system. Since its first introduction it
has been materially modified. At first, the president, either
directly or through the heads of departments, made all
appointments. Gradually, by usage, the appointing power in many
cases was transferred to members of Congress--to senators and
representatives. The offices in these cases have become not so much
rewards for party services as rewards for personal services in
nominating and electing senators and representatives. What
patronage the president and his cabinet retain, and what offices
congressmen are by usage entitled to fill is not definitely
settled. A congressman who maintains good relations with the
executive usually receives a larger share of patronage than one who
is independent. The system is a bad one. It destroys the
independence of the separate departments of the government, and it
degrades the civil service. It ought to be abolished. General Grant
has again and again explicitly recommended reform. A majority of
Congress has been unable to agree upon any important measure.
Doubtless the bills which have been introduced contain
objectionable features. But the work should be begun. Let the best
obtainable bill be passed, and experience will show what amendments
are required. I would support either Senator Trumbull's bill or Mr.
Jenckes' bill, if nothing better were proposed. The admirable
speeches on this subject by the representative of the first
district, the Hon. Aaron F. Perry, contain the best exposition I
have seen of sound doctrine on this question, and I trust the day
is not distant when the principles which he advocates will be
embodied in practical measures of legislation. We ought to have a
reform of the system of appointments to the civil service,
thorough, radical, and complete.

The people of the United States will be agreeably surprised to learn
that, four years ago, not only the sentiments, but almost the identical
langua