The Campaign Text Book Why the People Want a Change (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1876 Excerpt: ...consideration would " make the head of every department responsible for the appointments which he makes, and no Secretary will then venture to have in his employ double the number of clerks required," Mr. Morton said: "Here we have the broad statement made in the Senate ofthe United States that there are here in the Departments of this Government more than twice as many clerks as are needed to do the business. I regard that as a very injurious statement. It is one that will excite and alarm the country. It will lead the country to believe that everything is corrupt; that everything is rotten in the administration of this Government, in this Capitol. And now I ask the question, is it true? I submit that the Senator is mistaken; that it is not true. There is not, in my opinion, five per cent, of it true; the evidence cannot be found to establish its truth. Sir, it is a direct imputation of corruption and of weakness upon every Secretary, upon every head of bureau, upon everybody in this Government that has the appointing power, and it ought not to be sent forth to alarm and to excite the country, unless it can be substantiated. If the Senator can produce the evidence of this let the country have it, and let those men who are placed in charge of these Departments be held responsible, and be condemned by Congress and by the people." "But, sir, it is a grave and serious charge that ought not to be made unless it can be substantiated, and I give my opinion here that not five per cent, of it is true, and perhaps not two per cent." "A system that might be appropriate to Great Britain would not be appropriate here; our institutions are different. In England the tenure of office in the civil service is for life. They hold their offi...