The Sentinel's Civil Service

If the Ypsilanti Sentinel had a little sweeter disposition and more knowledge.it would avoid sayiDg uncbaritable things and would avond some blondere. It charges The Register with hypocney for declaring that when about onehalf of the Federal offices are given to the Republicana by the incoming adminiptration, the slaughtering process had betterstop. We did not claim that the Republican party had practiced true civil service reform, nor did we claim that it wonld do so dnring the next four years; but we have often stated what civil service reform ia, and we expressed the hope and belief that the Republican party would make some advance towards that ideal. It is idle to expect any party to bring about any such reform at once. The Amerian people are not vet educated to the point. Ifthat be hypocrisy, make the most of it. Tbe Sentinel shows its ignorance or audacity in declaring that "no 50,000 or 60,000 Demócrata have been placed in office during Cleveland's brief term." From March 4, 18S3, to March 8, 1886, there were 8,645 fourth-dass post-masters removed, to say nothlng of other departrnents. President Jackson removed only 491 postmasters in the first year of his administration, and he is thought to have been the arch-spoilsman of the country. Jackson removed about 8 per cent of the postmasters in one year, and Cleveland; removed abont 18 per cent in one year. There are 52,609 fourth-class postoflices. Up to June 24887, Mr. Cleveland had filled 40,000 of thern whh Democrats. If there are any left now with Republicans, it is because no Democrats can be found to take them, just as under Republican administrations hundreds of small southern postoffices were held by Demócrata. There are 2,359 postoffjces of the first daas. Up to June 24, 1887, Mr. Cleveland had filled 2,000 of these with Democrats. There ar 85 collectors of internal revenue. On June 24, 1887, only one of these was a Republican, and we will wager that he has si nee been superseded by a Democrat. On the satne date, 100 of the 111 collectors of customs were Demócrata ; 65 of the 70 district attorneys; 64 of the 70 marshals; 16 of the 18 pension agents; all of the Burveyors general ; 51 of the 50 Indüm agents ; and so on. There are 100,000 to 120,000 Federal officers, and practically a "clean sweep" has been made by the Cleveland adminiEtration. About 12,000 of the clerkships are covered by the eivil service law, and many of these have been retained by Repubheans, Decause appointments to those positions are made after competitive examinations in which politics are supposed to have nothing to do. If it were not for that law, there wouldn't be a dozen Republicana in the departmente in Washington. Evidently the Sentinel was a little sour, and forgot to verify its statements. Take a little more of the sweets of life, Bro. Woodruff.