Group 6 -- Speech of Senator Brown, December 14, 1882

Our theory is that men are to be promoted on account of merit and qualifications. It may not always be carried out — of course it can not always be — but that is the nature of the system and that is the general practice. It is compatible, therefore, with that system to leave the changes in the legislative department, in the executive department, and in every department except the judicial to the frequent, mutations of parties and to the supposed merits of the competitors who compete for the prizes. In all the departments, legislative and executive, qualification is supposed to be looked to. Election of Representatives and the higher officers is the general idea. Why in the face of that should we establish for the subordinate officers in the different Executive Departments and in all the larger offices within the limit of the United States a system of lifetime tenure for the very large class of persons who fill those places? I say it is not compatible, with our very form of Government. It is one step in the direction of the establishment of an aristocracy in this country, the establishment of another privileged class.

It may be said, however, and I believe that sentiment was uttered only a few days ago, though not in the language I use, probably, that it takes away from persons who hold these positions the inducement to be active politicians. In some cases that might be the working of it; but bear in mind, Mr. President, it leaves it in the power of every one of them to become an active politician, and if the spirit of the system is carried out as claimed by the Senator from Massachusetts [Mr. HOAR] the officers can be as active as they choose on one side, and one side alone, and run no risk of losing their positions. It builds up a powerful class supported out of the Treasury of the United States, out of the taxes of the people, and places in their hands the power, if they choose to exercise it — and there is a great deal of human nature in man, so that they probably would exercise it — the power to do much to control the future rulers and destinies of this Government.

From The Congressional Record. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1882. 277.