We have proposed a reform, as it is called, in the civil service. What kind of a reform? Only a method of determining among the applicants for office, who are numbered by thousands and tens of thousands, which one of them is best adapted to take a place where no man should be employed at all. That is what we propose to give to the people in place of the reform which they demand; only a mode by which it may be determined who is the best fitted to fill such a place. So far as that goes I have no objection to it. I have no objection to any reasonable way of determining the fitness of applicants, but I do submit this: Has not the President of the United States all the powers to determine for himself before he makes an appointment to any position of trust or responsibility in this Government as to the qualifications of the particular individual named for it? Why appoint under legislative sanction and authority a commission and send the bill to the President himself for his sanction by which he shall consent to abdicate the powers placed in his hands and for which he is held responsible?
I wish to have it distinctly understood that, so far as I am concerned, I believe in party government; I believe in holding political parties responsible for the management and the administration of the affairs of the Government when intrusted to them. No great reform was ever made in the Government except through one of the great political parties of the country. I do not say this because I wish to delay or prevent any reasonable or proper mode of managing the Government being adopted; but I say it for quite a different reason. I do not know that this bill is in all respects objectionable; yet in some respects it is, to my mind, very objectionable — not objectionable because it will keep Democrats out of office and Republicans in. I am ready at all times to vote for any proper reform in government, whichever political party may be in power. I believe that the iron rule of party despotism today controls too much, both the parties and the people of this country; and I should like to see it thrown down. I should like to see the time come when the rule of either political party will be the rule of patriots; but I can not consent by any vote of mine that a legislative commission shall be appointed, irresponsible to the people, irresponsible in themselves, responsible to no power whatever, and give them all the authority necessary to determine what shall be done in respect to certain offices in this Government.
From The Congressional Record. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1882. 323.
