Brief for the Negative.

F. C. THWAITS AND F. L. YOUNG.Best general References: Atlantic Monthly LXV. 433 (April 1890), LXVI1. 252 (Feb. 1891); Sixth Report of U. S. Civil Service Commission (1889); pp. 1-8, 16.

I. The system proposed would, - (a) Violate rights of the individual. - (b) Be contrary to the traditions and institutions of our government. - (c) Be harmful to the public good. - (1) By keeping many of our best men out of politics. - (2) By throwing the control of politics into the hands of less able men.

II. In any case, elective officers and administrative officers (heads of departments, etc.) must be allowed to take action in politics. - (a) They are the oldest men in the party. - (b) They determine the issues and policy of the party. - (c) They must defend their measures and advance the party policy.

III. Nor should the restriction proposed be extended to the subordinate government officials. - (a) In the case of those under civil service rules. - (1) The incentive to political activity is removed. - (2) Their tenure of office depends on their efficiency. - (b) In the case of those still under the spoils system the evil would be removed. - (1) The incentive to political activity still remains. - (2) The official would resort to underhand means. - (3) The system proposed furnishes no guarantee of efficiency. - (c) The extension of the civil service rules to these men would be the only adequate remedy for the present evils.

IV. The system proposed would tend to prevent the extension of civil service reform. - (a) By appeasing those who demand reform, without really giving reform. - (b) By obscuring the real evil in our politics, viz. the spoils system, and hence delaying its eradiction.