But, besides this, it is manifestly impossible to carry on the immense business of the Government without extraordinary and ruinous loss and waste, under the old system of turning out the occupants of civil offices every four years.
Sumner critiques the inefficiency of the current system of frequent turnover in civil service positions.
Share
More from Charles Sumner
In this contest, we may borrow from the ancient Greek, who, when his hands were cut off, fought with his stumps, and even with his teeth.
The subterfuges of the politician cannot escape it.
According to recent calculations, its annual cost is not less than a thousand millions of dollars.
It is larger than the entire profit of all the commerce and manufactures of the world.
Other voices in this conversation
