The New York herald., 1871-11-21
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
Senator Carl SchurZ's Lecture
In Newark.
Tho 0fass-sesking and Corrupting scourse Of
the Age-0ur Whole system Of Government
Patronage Rotten to the Core-What the
Senator Desires to Do About It.

According 20 announcement United states sena-
tor Carl Schurz Of Missouri, lectured last night In
Newark on the subject Of Ctvn Service Reform. He
arrived In that city during the day and became the
guest the 'Maison Grise' Of Mr.. James L. Hayes,
. local politician OF some note. Here, during the
early part Of the evening, he visited by Senator
Frelinghuysen, Hon. Cortlandt Barker, Colonel
COurt0is and o few other gentlemen, all Of
whom cordially welcomed the distinguished
Missourian once more to Newark. HERALD repre-
sentative also paid his respects. With degree or
modesty remarkable In public man the Senator
begged that his lecture might not be reported to
any extent. Subsequently he urged that 1t be
not mentioned even. The Senator Is booked
to deliver the same preparation in the metropolis
and Brooklyn ana feared the all powerful light the
HERALD might throw ON the subject would render
its further delivery by him useless. The disagree
able nature OF the weather and three
other local amusement attractions may have
been the cause Of his not having more
than fairisn audience at Association Hail. for.
meriy the West Oak street church. He was brieny
introduced shortly after eight O'Clock by q Mr..
Francis ana was well received by the audience.
He commenced BY
QUOTING ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
when the martyr President said that the army Of
once holders was greater and more difficult one
to conquer tnan that Of the rebellIous Snuth Mr.
Schurz then went into q description OF the
shameless, corrupt dishonest and disgust
ing system under which the government
patronage In once was disbursed, from q Munster
Plenipotentary down to the poorest postmaster.
To do the intelligence Of his auditory violence
and 1t composed Q good deal Of the business, pro.
fessonal and political brain Of Newark-tne gente.
ing whatever that they nal not known long and
long ago, and which Is the staest Of subjects the
public press. Mr. Schurz told how the Congress-
man won his election by lying promises which ne
knew he could not fulii. and how pressure
branches Sna indlvduais Of the Ms
said that men were not selected for their fitness for
first rate party servants could used In the future
As IN the past ior the perpetuation In ONCE OF their
' THE new YORK CUSTOM HOUSE
senator Schurz said Its business amounted to
$780, 600 ooo per annum, and demanded at It's head
integrity; but instead Of that man was placed
there OF the very. lowest administrative ability.
Tom Murphy, said he, Is man whom none OF you
would select as your bank cashier. The Custom
House run not in the interest OF the people, but
So notoriously corrupt was the system Of Its mis-.
but without work. lie lnsianced the case Of
AN OLD APPLE WOMAN,
whose name was found ON the books as a clerk, re.
ceiving pay. lie doubted II there were one hundred
congressman who had not some knowledge Of
money being paid for securing position. The trade
In public O. ces as cash article was anything but
tlcai morality. The senator proceeded to
show the deep decentralization Of our whole
system OF civil service, how 1t made men
dishonest before they went into once, and offered
an incentive for them to become more so after
wards. 1t was system calculated TO make rascalS
OF men who were originally Intended for something
better. congressman were also corrupted by tie
system and Obliged to resort TO the basest tricks Of
hypocrisy. Presidents, too, become VIGOROUSLY
corrupt through 1t. The power OF the President In
the matter of public offices was greater
than that OF any consolidated monarchy in
Europe One great reason for Urging the
one-term principle =. was that It would
do away with the temptation to plan
and plot and corrupt with view to the succession
In the course OF the lecture MIR. Schurz handled Tom
Murphy, Andrew Johnson, Boss Tweed and Tam
many Hall without gloves, and the existing Execu.
tive and administration with kid gloves. His allu.
s0ns 70 President Grant were broad, but by no
means as pointed as In the cases OF the Others He
closed by urging union OF honest men to effect q
reformation, and expressed the opinion that the
terms OF Office OF all appOintive ofcers should be
longer thaa the Presidents during good behavior,
&c. Tne Senator's delivery was hurried and de.
iective. People generally were disappointed with
the lecture.