The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-07-25
important Correspondence Between
Carl schurz and nIr. Greeley.

Important Correspondonce Betxx.,r
carl schurz and Mr. Greeley.
ST, LOUIS, July 22.-The following
correspondence was read by Senator
Schurz in his speech to night:
"ST. Louis, June 26, 1872.
e,DHAR SIR: In your letter OF accept
anoe 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 suQ-
gest, II 1t be consistent with your views
OF proprlety, that you give me such
explanations as will pnt your Intentions.
In this respect, in clear light. Yours'
truly, @. SCHuRZ !"
The following is AIR. Greeley's reply:
NEW York. July 5. 1872.
"MY DEAR SIR: Yours OF the 26th
ultimo only reached me three days ago.
1 respond as promptly as. may. The
problem of civil service reform is rem
dered difficult by an alliance between the
executive and legislative branches of
our Federal franchise government.
Those members Of Congress who favor
the Administration habitually claim. and
are accorded. virtual monopoly OF the
Federal Offices in their respective States
or Districts, debating appointments ond
removals as interest or caprice may sug-
gest The l. resident appoints at their
bidding.
"They legislate in subsorvience to his
will; often in opposition to their own
convictions. Unless all history rs un-
meaning. this confusion of executive
and Legislative responsibilities and func
tions could lot full to distemper and cor
rupt the body politic. I hold the eligi-
bllity OF our President to reelection the
main source of this corruption. A Pre-
sldent should he above the hope of
future favor, or the fear Of alternating
powerful and ambitious partisans. He
should be the official chief not of party.
but OF the republic. He should dread
nothing but the accusing voice of history
and the inexorable judgment OF God.
He should fully realize and never forget
that Congress, in its own sphere, is para.
mount, and in no wise amenable to his
supervision, and that the heartiest good
will to his administration is perfectly
compatible with the most pointed dis
sent from his inculoations in the very
gravest questions in finance or political
economy. 1t is the first step that costs.
Let it be settled that President is not
to be reelected while in Office. and civil
service reform is no longer difficult. He
Will need no organ, no subsidized de-
tenders. He will naturally select his
chief counsellors from among the ablest
and wisest of his eminent fello w-oitizens.
regardless alike of the shrieks of locality
and tho suggestions OF selfish policy.
He will have no interest to conciliate. no
Chief OF powerful clan to attach to his
personal fortunes. He will be compelled
to appoint, as will mono deny that he
should appoint, men of ripe experience
In business and eminent mercantile ca.
pacity to collect. keep and disburse the
revenue, instead Of dexterous manipula-
tors OF primary meetings and skillful
traffickers in delegates to nominating
conventions. He will thus transform the
civil service Of the country from a party
machine into business establishm ent.
NO longer IN aspirant to place, the Pre-
sident will naturally aim to meet and de-
serve the appreciation of the entire peo-
pie. but especially of the eminently wise
and good. AS to the machinery Of
boards of examiners, &u., whereby the
details of civil service reform are to be
matured and perfected, I defer to the
judgment of a Congress unperverted by
the adulterous commerce in Legislation
and appointments which 1 have already
exposed and reprehended. Up to this
time our experience of the doings OF
boards in this direction has not been en-
conraged, and this, am confident, is
not the fault Of tho gentlemen who have
tried to serve the public as commits
sioners In so far as they may have
failed, the causes of their i'll success
must be extensive. Had they been &C.
corded fair field, I am sure they would
have wrought to better purpose. A
thinker has observed 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
be more potent in our councils, than
those which resist even while seeming to
favor. That this contamination is not
distant. 1 fervently trust. Meantime,
thanking you for your earnest and
effective abors to this end, I remain
yours, HORACE GREELEY"
CRIMINAL CoURT.-At 10 A. NJ, this
morning, the Clerk of the Criminal
Court made proclamation, opened conrt.