Patronage Monopoly and the Pendleton Bill [pp. 185-207]

PA TROzNA GE MONVOPOLY AND THE PENDLE TON BILL. I 89
stowal of votes in the interest of factions and their venal leaders,
through which abuse great politicians and officers having the
power of appointment and removal-or the power of confirmation, to which the former has been subjected-have been able
to substantially dictate the political action of cities, districts,
and States.
Few persons knowing the strength of the spoils system will
question the need of concentrating the attack. But where
should it begin? How much should be attempted at first?
There are about 82,oo000 Federal officials who are appointed
by their superior officers, and in whose selection therefore the
people have no part. There are in addition a much larger number-perhaps from 200,000 to 25o,oo000of State and municipal
officers who are also appointed.
With a few exceptions, the power of removal and of discipline
attends the power of selection. A few of these officials serve
in the halls of legislation and in the courts. The residue belong
to the Executive Department. The annual salaries of these
82,oo000 Federal officers amount to about $5o,000,000ooo, and they
constitute more than eight tenths of all the officials in the national
service. The President, the Vice-President, and the members of
the House are the only Federal officials whom the people select.
All others are selected by other officers. No statute, but only
the better public opinion and a sense of duty,-if happily for
the people either be recognized,-impose any condition of fidelity upon their choice. Here is the vast sphere of discretionof irresponsible power-under our government, upon which its
character and efficiency largely depend.
The duties of all but the highest of these appointed officials
are essentially ministerial, the same continually whatever party
is in power. They have no honest relations with party politics.
The Constitution calls them "inferior officers." There are about
3500 of them who hold under four-years' terms, and who are
subject to confirmation by the Senate. They have the more
responsible duties, and generally-as in the case of postmasters
and collectors-have an absolute or a qualified authority for
selecting and discharging their own subordinates. The lower
the grade the less discretion the official has. To a candid mind
it is plain that a postmaster or collector has no official relations