The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-07-30

ST. LOUIS, July 22.-The following
correspondence was read by Senator
Schurz in his speech TO night:
ST. LOUIS, June 26, 1872.
Horace Greeley, Esq:
DEAR SIR: In your letter of accept.
ance yqu promise thorough reform i'll
the civil service in general terms. The
question how the problem of civil ser
vice reform presents itself to your mind
is one of great interest, and | would
suggest, if it be consistent with your
views of propriety, that you give me
such explanations as will put your in
tentions in this respect in clear light.
Yours truly, c. SCHURz.
The following is Mr.. Greeley's reply:
New York, July 5, 1872.
Yours of the 26th ultimo only reach
ed me three days ago, l respond as
promptly as l may. The problem Of
civil service reform is rendered diff
lcult by an alliance between the execu-
tive and legislative branches of our fed.
eral Government. Those members of
Congress who favor the Administration
habtually claim and are accorded vir-
tual monopoly OF the Federal offices in
their respective States or districts, die
tating appointments and removals, as
interest or caprice may suggest.
The President appoints at their bid
ding. They legislate in subseryience to
his will, often in opposition to their
own convictions. Unless all history is
unmeaning, this confusion Of executive
and Legislative responsibilities and func.
tons-could not fail to distemper and
corrupt the body polite. I hold the
| eligibility Of our President to reelection
| the main source of this corruption. A
President should be above the hope OF
future favor or the fear of alternating
powerful, ambitious partisans; he should
be the official chief, not of party, but
of the Republic. He should dread
nothing but the accusing voice of his
tory and and the. inexorable judgment
of God, he should fully realize and new
er forget that Congress, in its own
sphere, is paramount, and nowise amen
able to his supervision, and that the
heartiest goodwill to his admihistra,
ton is perfectly compatible with the
most pointed dissent from his inculca-
tious in the very gravest questions in
finance and political economy. 1t is
the first step that counts Let it be set.
tied that President is not to be re-
elected while in Office, and civil service
reform is no longer difficult, He will
need no organs--no subsidized defen.
ders He will naturally select his chief
counsellor from among the ablest and
wisest of his eminent fellow. citizens
regardless alike of the shrieks of local
ity and the suggestions of selfish pol
icy. lie viii have no interest to con
ciliate, no chief of powerful clan tc
attach, to his personal fortune. He will
be impelled to appoint, as none will de-
ny that he Should appoint, men OF ripe
experience in business and eminent mer.
camille capacity to collect, keep, and Gis-
bnrsc the revenue instead of deXterous
manipulators of primary meetings and
skilful traflckers in delegates to nomin.
ating conventions. He will thus trans
form the civil service of the country
from party machine into a business
establishment. No longer an aspirani
to place, the President viii naturally
aim to secure the approbation of the
entire people, but especially Of the en-
inently wise and good.
As to the Itachihery OF boards of ex
aminers, Dc, whereby the details of civ
il service reform are to be matured and
perfected, defer to the judgment of 8
Congress unperverted by the adulter
Gus commerce in legislation and appoint.
ments which I have already exposed
and reprehended. Up to this time oul
experience of the doings of boards in
this direction has not been encouraging
and this, / am confident, Is not the fault
of the gentlemen who have tried to
serve the public as commissioners.
In so far as they have failed, the
causes of their i'll success must be ex
trinsic. Had they been accorded fail
feld,I am sure they would have wrought
to better purpose. A thinker has OBJ
served that the spirit in which we work
is the chief matter, and we can never
achieve civil service reform until The
interests which demand it shall he moro
potent in our public counsels thar
those which resist even while seeming
to favor it, That this consummation is
not far distant fervently trust.
Meantime, thanking you for your
earnest and effective labors to this end
remain yours, r-s .-----r.,
.I.y-i = Horace GREELEY.