Bat  well  defined  and  consistent  views  and  common  methods
of  action  on  the  part  of  those  who  support  refortn  are  es-
sential. Such  views  by  no  means  exist.  Some  of  its  friends
expect  to  see  a  reform  brought  about  by  a  grand  popular
effort,  which  shall  at  once  drive  all  unworthy  men  from  office
and  open  a  new  era  in  our  politics.  Others  look  upon  re-
form as  a  work  of  enlightenment  and  purification,  to  be
gradually  carried  forward,  and  mainly  through  methods  of
its  own  which,  by  their  salutary  effects,  will  win  the  support
needed  to  hasten  its  completion.  While  a  third  class  believe
that  no  reform  is  possible  which  is  not  carried  out  through
party  action  alone,  and  by  the  ordinary  processes  of  partisan
politics.  We  need  to  decide  which  of  these  theories  is  cor-
rect.
Civil  service  reform  in  its  true  scope  includes  not  merely
practical  methods  in  administration,  under  which  worth  and
capacity  may  gain  what  is  their  due,  despite  corrupt  and  par-
tisan influence,  but  it  also  embodies  great  principles  which
concern  the  duties  of  office  and  the  very  foundations  of  par-
ties and  government.     An  essential  condition  of  its  support  is


10  CIVIL  SERVICE  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN.
