200 Civil Service Reform 



ward its destruction merit a peculiar meed of praise 

 from all well-wishers of the Republic. 



I have spoken above of the good that would come 

 from a thorough and intelligent knowledge as to 

 who were the friends and who were the foes of 

 the law in Washington. Departmental officers, the 

 heads of bureaus, and, above all, the Commissioners 

 themselves, should be carefully watched by all friends 

 of the reform. They should be supported when they 

 do well, and condemned when they do ill; and at- 

 tention should be called not only to what they do, 

 but to what they fail to do. To an even greater ex- 

 tent, of course, this applies to the President. As 

 regards the Senators and Congressmen also there is 

 urgent need of careful supervision by the friends 

 of the law. We need criticism by those who are 

 unable to do their part in action; but the criticism, 

 to be useful must be both honest and intelligent, 

 and the critics must remember that the system has 

 its stanch friends and bitter foes among both party 

 men and men of no party among Republicans, 

 Democrats, and Independents. Each Congressman 

 should be made to feel that it is his duty to support 

 the law, and that he will be held to account if he 

 fails to support it. Especially is it necessary to con- 

 centrate effort in working for each step of reform. 

 In legislative matters, for instance, there is need of 

 increase of appropriations for the Commission, and 

 there is a chance of putting through the bill to re- 

 form the Consular service. This has received sub- 

 stantial backing in the Senate, and has the support 



