Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1882 — CIVIL-SERVICE REFORM. [ARTICLE]

CIVIL-SERVICE REFORM.

Senator Saunders’ Plan—Election of Postmasters, marshals, Etc., by Popular Vote. Senator Saunders, of Nebraska, has introduced in the Senate a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the constitution of the United States that will allow the people to elect the large army of Federal officeholders commissioned by the President. Senator Saunders is a member of the Committee ou Civil-Service Reform, and he says that, after studying this Bubject carefully, he is satisfied that bis resolution embodies reform in its most practical shape. He claims that to make these officers elective by the people would relieve the President of much of the annoyance and vexation that now attaches to his office, and would also be a great relief to members of Congress. He says that half the time of a Congressman is occupied in attending to the distributing of Federal offices, and that the President complains that the duty of filling the petty offiees of the Government imposes the heaviest burden upon him. Mr. Saunders thinks thiaow be remedied by giving the people power to choose their own officers, and if they make any mistakes they will soon remedy them. Senator Saunders’ proposed constitutional amendment will enable election to be made by the people of Postmasters, United States Marshals, District Attorneys of United States Courts, Collectors of Internal Revenue and other officers whose duties are to be performed within the limits of any State or part of a State, except Judges of the Supreme and inferior courts, and provides that all civil officers of the United States, heads of departments, and officers whose duties are temporary in their character, shall hold office for a term of four years, unless a longer term shall be fixed by law. The amendment empowers the President to remove any officer elected for any cause affecting tha incumbent’s character, habits or other qualifications, excepting political or religious opinions ; the officers mentioned to be elected in snch manner as the State Legislatures shall prescribe.