Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-07-27
Civil Service Reform.
Correspondence Betrceen Senator Sch"rS ana
Horace Greeley.

ST. LOUIS, July 22.-The following CORES
nondepce was read by Senator Schurz in his
speech tonight:
"sr Louis June &c, 1s72.-Dear Sir: In
your letter of acceptance you promise thorough
reform of the civil service in general terms
The question how the problem OF civil service
reform presents itself to your mind Is one OF
great interest. and | would suggest, II 1t De
consistent with your views of propTlety' that
YOU give me such explanations as will put your
intentions in this respect in clear light.
Yours, truly,
&C. ScHSRz."
The following is Mr.. Greeley's reply
"NEw YoRx, July 9Th, lS72.-My Dear Sir:
Yours of the Goth ut, only reached me three
days ago. respond as promptly as may
The problem of civil service reform IS rendered
difficult by an alliance between the executive
and legislative branches of cur federal govern
nent. Those members of Congress who favor
the administration habitually claim aud are ac-
corded virtual monopoly ofthe federal offices
in their respective States or districts, debating
appointments and removals as interest or ca
price may suggest The President appoints
at their bidding They legislate IN subServl-
ence to his will, often in opposition to their
own convictions. Unless all history IS I'M
meaning, this confusion of executive and lesls-
lative responsibilities and functions could not
fail to disiemper and corrupt the body polite
hold the eligibility Of our Presidents to re-
election the main source Of this Corruption
4 President should be above the hope OF IL
ture favor or the fear Of alternating powerful
and ambitious partisauS. lie should DC theol-
fetal chief not Of party, but OF the repuOic'
He should dread nothing but the accusing
voice of history and the ineXorab!e judgment
of God. lie should fully realize and never Tor
get that Congress in its own sphere Is para
mount, and uowise amenabiato his supervision,
and that the heartiest goodwill to his admin
istration is perfectly compatible with the most
pointed dissent from his inculcations. In the
very grayest questions in finance or political
economy it is the first step that costs. Let II
be settled that President is not to be reflect
ed while in Office, and civil service reform Is no
longer difficult He will need no organs, no
subsidized defenders he will naturally select
his chief counSelegS from among the a0leSt ana
wisest Of lis eminent felow-ctizeus, regardless
alike Of the shieks of locality and the sug-
gestions Of a selfish policy; he will have no IN
terest to couciliate, no chief of powerful clan
| to attach to his personal fortune; he Will be
| mpelled to appoint, as will none deny he
should appoint men OF ripe experience IN bus
/ mess and eminent mercautlie capacity to col
/ lect keep aud disburSe the revenue, instead d
| dexterous mauipUlators OF primary meetings
/ and sKilful traflicers in delegates 10 nomlna-
| ting conventions. lie will thus transform the
civil service Of the country from party ma
/ chine into business establishment No longer
an aspraut to place, the President will uatu-
| rally aim to merit aud secure the approval OF
the entire people, but especially Of the emf
ueutiy wise aud good.
AS to the machinery of the boards Of exam
nation, &c, Whereby the details of civil service
reform are TO be matured aud perfected, / defer
to the Judgment of Congress uuperyerted by
the adu.terous commerce inlegisation, aud APP
poiutments which nave already exposed and
repreneuded Up to this time our experience
of the dongs Of boards in tits direction mas not
been encouraging, and this | am confident IS
not the fault OF tie gentlemen who have tined
to serve lhe public as commissioners. In so
far as they may have failed, the cause Of their
i'll success must be extriusic. Had they been
accorded "a iaireT field, am sure they would
have wrought to better purpose.
a thinker has observed that tie spirit in
which we work is the chief matter, aud We
can never achieve civil service reform ruGi the
iutcres.s which demand it shall be more potent
in our public counsels than those which resist
even while seeming TO la}orit That this con-
summation is not distant lcrvcrtly trust. Iu
the meantime, thanking YOU for your earnest
and effective labo,s to this end | remain
yours, HORACE GREELEY.