New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-05
CIVIL SERVICE.
LECTURE BY GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.

LECTURE BY GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.
George William Curtis delivered lecture
the first OF a course-on "Ciyil Service" at Steinway
Hall last evening under the auspices Of the General So
ciety Of Mechanics and Tradesmen of this city. Mr..
Curtis introduced by Mr. ]. Burnett, Chairman
OF the Lecture Committee, who announced the subjects
OF the course and explained the nature and objects of
the Society. Mr. Curtis on coming forward loudly
appauded He proceeded TO show how absurd 1t was
for an Intelligent and thrifty people. whose taxation
nuay demands immense of money to be collected
by officers, to totally disregard the fitness Of
these officers for that service and only choose
them on account OF their interruptions party zeal Such
system Is the most waStefu and destructive possible.
IL fosters personal and official corruption pOsOns the
very spring or moral act0n and endangers the perma
of nation. and yet there are persons who laugh
this fact, and because the ship bored by thousand
worms has not sunk yet, consider wormeaten wood
safe sound timber One hundred years ago Daniel
Burke in proposing economical reform, said; A claim
upon the subject of your tins that they are
not likely TO be increased by wasting them But our
are respor6s Burke again says: "PriIcipe, method,
regularity. economy and frugaty, these are the re-
aim" These were precisely Of Washington
and the Sons Of Liberty l77e and moth
W enable 'G us to transmit the p' prosperity
which he advanced unlmpared TO our children Ap-
phu~e The epe3ker said that these were truths which
wholly despised in this country; This is not Govern
ment Of parties but Of the people acting through parties
and the consequence Of regarding parry az the country Is
the wretched destruction OF the power of the people.
When waahlngtOn's Administration began he was sorely
did not think competent, and he replied My perSoual
feelings have nothing do with the case. As George
Washington would do this man any kindness IN my
power Ont as President Of The Urted States can 90
nothing" These words should blaze in GOLD over
the doors OF the White House. Tue person who
cannot be trusted with che balOtbOX should not DC
trusted with the money box Of this Government Jap
plause MIR Curtis brief sketch Ot the different
Presidents and the policy which they pursued descriD'
ing the system Jackson De this TO the yictors be-
long the spOs of tho enemy He then described the dis
hearenng spectacle wllch lac sald this county pre-
sents Presidents. Congressman, Representatives, arc
ALL I'm re- d :
IL Is make nay while the sun Shines and the
dGyil take the hindermOst" iLhughterI What
We want IN this country is 10 secure
r officers and To make IL their interest TO do their duty
honestly and faithfully. The civil service In this country
bcgus with the fact that the United states should man
aye It's affairs With the same economy ability, and non
esy that the best private business IA the country Is man
aged aud To- do this 10 must tAt the most Obvious means
incompatible with the Constitution, with experience
aud common IL therefore proposes system OF
zens and the appOlh ment To the subordinate offices 10
bc made from those NhO are proved To 10 best quahed
The value such ystem has been thoroughly tested in
other countries and u VIII be- day OF thanksgiving In
America when Il adopted there. u IA Oljecte1 10 TINS
system that competitive examination would only deter
nine scholastic knowledge, but could not ascer-
Very well. Here, then, are three QUALIFICATIONS
kuONIedge ability, and morality Now, II the exainna-
than the present sysem which does not secure any
who showed by examination, an average dDlIly,
wOuid easily prove. by bref probation whether u
could be specially applied TO advantage 90 Win moral
establish clrcumlOcutiOn office, which is the
Of how not TO do 1t. Ii ~ patronage
which Is the very cornerstone Ot our present
- ,teIns Now the reform abOlshes the creumOcutOn
office II provides for the removal OF those VINO are nhnt
their Office, and Obylates tue evils which now noOd
country. In closing, the speaker warned them that
the tine had when enc people OF s country luua
gTapple deadly conflict with the politicians, aud lnau
guTato better system OF national governments