The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-11

hEPoRTER-Have you cohverSed much with the
President on this subjee
Mr.. CuRrIs-I conversed with him last January
and our conversations were always very agreeable
and friendly. A year ago last Winter saw him
very often and talked very frankly and freely with
him. Then nothing had been tried as yet, and
there was generally great agreement between u.s.
with energy.) Any one who knows General
Grant would never accuse him OF shammin2 or
falsty in this matter. los know what mean. II
he had not been sincere he would noS have re-
newed his pledges in his inaugural address.
REPORIER-And Is the reform an entire iailuref
Mr.. CURTIS-N0 IL Is not an entire failure, but 1t
is not based principle, and can see no good re-
suits from what consider an inconsistent enforce.
ment OF it.
REpoRTER-Win the remaining members OF the
Board stlll devote themselves to the reforms
Mr.. CuRTIs-Thcre were four members OF the
Board who held no other national offices. Alto
gether there were seven members-three were
taken from the departments in Washington, in
order that there might be always
ACCURATE INFORMATION AS TO THE DETAILS
OF the service. We were always most harmonious,
and our recommendations were unanimous. But,
ex-senator Cattel, OF New Jersey, goes abroad In
the public service as special Treasury agent to
signed because he held another position; so that
only Judge Walker, OF Georgia. remains. Mr.. Cat
tell has not resigned, but will be absent a year. IL
VIII be necessary under the system, that there be
an Advisory Board, but not exactly OF that number;
you see the whole thing is at the Presidents pleas
ure 1t is possible that he will be satisfied with the
five remaining members-Walker Cattel, and the
three gentlemen rom the departments.
REpoRTER-ls Congress IN sympathy with the
movements
Mr.. CuRTIs-Congress is hostile almost to man.
Mr. Willard. OF Vermont is almost the only mem
unreservedly He tried to have II incorporated
into law. Senator Schurz is genuine civil ser
vice refOrmer and Senator sumner is In favor Of IL;
but both Schurz and sumner
HAVE NO FAITH IN ANY REFORM
OF any kind under this administration. Senator
Edmunds, OF Vermont, is also in favor OF reform.
General Butler Is, perhaps, the leader OF the OPP
ponents of civil service reform in the House.
REpoRrER-Has the Board accomplished much
thus far2
Mr. CuRrIs-The Board has accomplished good
deal in filling some OF the miner offices The APP
pointments to MINOR Offices in the Treasury De-
partment have been generally made, not always,
IN accordance with the rules. This was owing to
thing fair trial. and that the Treasury Board OF
Examination contains gentlemen most sincerely
devoted to reform, and who took all the pains OF
preparing details and 30 on.
s.REPORTER.-rO what do you really attribute
the failure OF the reforms
Mr.. CURTIs-I think the pressure has been too
strong for General Grant, and, OF course, thu Is
a fight between the principle OF reform and pOatt
cal pressure. think the managers OF politics
ali opposed to the thing. This fight in Albany is
simply fight to control the city OF New York by
the power oil patronage, and 1t is that spirit when
is utterly opposed to the principle of civil service
reform. Our peltics will become
MORE AND MORE PRosTIruTED AND DEGRADED
until they are saved by the principle that underies
this reform.
REpoRrER-You predict for the country sad fu-
ture?
Mr. CURTIS Laughing in his good-natured way
No, for | think we shall triumph i think this
will become more and more cardinal question in
politics. and the interest General Grant has taken
In it has certainly carried 1t very far forward The
progress that We have made In regard to the SUBJ
Ject IN the last three or our years has been per-
fectly immense.
REPoRTER-You do not consider your career as
q civil service reiOrmer closedY
Mr.. CURTIS COMPATIBILITY my interest In
the matter is unchanged. l shall spare no effort
you know-not at all. II the press would take
ha Of they wq Sov Of y
very dangerous element in this nation, for they
are under the control OF the party leaders. The
moment yon take away their political life the dam
ger ceases and they become merely citizens. The
only plausible argument for the One-Term-Pres
dent is. that under the present system every off,
cial IN the country will vote or can be made to vote
for the President under whom he holds ONCE.
REPORTER Tising)-But one question MORE Has
your resignation been acceptedY
Mr.. CURTIs-Yes; have received very friendly
letter from the President, in which he says he ac
to you, but have reasons for not publishing 1t.
REPoRTER-Thanks, MIR. Curtis.
Mr. CURrIs-You are very welcome.
And he accompanied the reporter to the door,
where he cordially babe him goodby.
The Presidential Expln nation-Mr. Cur
tis' Letter OF Resignation.
From the Washington Chronicle, April l0.l
1t is amusing to witness the attempts now being
made by some OF the democratic organs to act as
champions oil the civil service reform, which never
would have been necessary had 1t not been for the
acts OF Andrew Jackson and his followers. Right
obey ed, and intoxicated political power found. in
the blind confidence OF its crednlous followers I'm
munity for every usurpation and for every abuse.
1t was one OF the most honest and respected lead
ers OF the democratic party who openly avowed in
the Senate OF the United States that his party
fought, like pirates, for what they could win. SAID
Governor Marcy, in January, 1922
When they contendng for victory, they their
mot Of enjoying the ats so of c. they are de-
successful they claim as matter of right, the advan
that 70 the victor belong the spells of the enemy.
This monstrous doctrine was at first regarded as
an inadvertent slip OF the tongue, but 1t was soon
found that 1t was the favOrite watchw0rd OF the
democracy. Instead OF the old rule OF Mr.. Jefrer-
son In regard to ice-holders'Is he honest Is he
capable, Is he faithful to the Constitution pa rule
which had worked so benencially for the govern
ment-the edlct was ITO the victors belong the
spoils." Offices were distributed only as rewards
for partisan services and TO hush the clamOrs OF
the hungry multitude OF camp followers regardless
OF qualifications or iaithiulness. 1t was not to be
INDUCED in all sorts Of Official frauds and plumber,
and that they have since been found whenever and
wherever the democrats have exercised power.
citizen who accepts office OF any kind under
democratic rule virtually signs, seals and delivers
an indenture of abject political servitude during
his continuance in office, and feels disposed to
pocket what he can by way OF consolation.
The republican party has endeavored to break
up this narrow, corrupting and miserable policy
inaugurated by the democrats. President Grant
has taken the lead in this good work, and has done
all III his power TO throw around the civil officers
OF the government the same protection, In the en-
joyment OF their privileges during good behavior,
that the military and the naval officers enjoy. 1t
Is true that the President has met with much OPP
position, especially In enforcing competitive exam
nation Tor appointments or for promotions, but he
has nevertheless persevcred.
Mr. George william Curtis was placed at the head
OF the civil service Advisory Board first appointed
by the President and he did much toward giving
the reform a fair start. Last Winter however, a
difference Of views was developed between him
and the President which proved irreconcileabe.
The President, II we are not misniormed, sug-
gested to Mr. Curtis that his own experience in fill
ing offices had suggested such modification OF
the rules as would admit OF transfers OF officials
from one class OF Offices to another. This
Mr. Curtis did not fancy, insisting
promotion in each class OF Offices. The
President quietly waited until one or these cases
occurred, and then, exercising his reserved
authority, he made the transfers, the proprlety Of
which all who know the gentlemen admit. Mr..
Curtis, however, felt that, ike British Cabinet
Minister, 1t was his duty to resign when he could
no longer consistently carry out the views OF the
Chief Magistrate, and he wrote the following letter
OF resignatlon:-