The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-11
A Herald Reporters Interview with
Ex-Civil Service Commissioner
Geo. VIM. Curtis.
WHY HE RESIGNED.
he Is Still Supporter of General Grants Admin
istration, but Thinks the Political Pressure
Too Strong for the President-The APP
pointments Of Surveyor and Postmas-
ter of New York Clear Violations
OF the Reform Principle.

as member of the Advisory Board Of the Civil
Service. Mr.. Curtis in his study in his hand
some residence on Staten Island. lie had been
very Ill, but the reporter was readily admitted.
Mr. Curtis greeted him cordially, solicited The re-
porter's name and introduced him to two old gen.
tlemen neghbors OF his who were present during
the interview.
81 have been very SICK but am getting better
now" Mr.. Curtis said. "Please to be seated.n
REPoRTER-I came to see you with regard TO your
resignation as member OF the Civil Service Board.
Mr.. CURTIS with some surprise)-Ah, is that IL
Well viii tell you all know. am always will
ing to give the HERALD all the information have.
The reporter thanked him and examined his
features. The well known champion OF civil
vice reform is a man who looks to be about forty.
He Is tall, well built, and moves about quickly and
gracefully. His face Is fresh youthful; his eyes
blue, clear; his features give him an
EXPRESSION OF FIRMNEss AND KINDLINRss.
He speaks in pleasant, low voice, with great dis
tlnctness and smiles cheerfully while he is looking
at you out OF his bright blue eyes. Ills manner Is
genial and courteous.
Mr.. CURus-You see the comments OF some OF
the journals have been quite erroneous. They
seemed to take 1t for granted that my letter was
attended to reflect upon the President The TACT is
that the Presidents views OF the character and re-
quirements OF the reform differed from my ewn.
Had questioned his sincerity in this matter
Should certainly not have assured him Of the con-
tinuance of my support The President found that
this was more severe and difficult undertaking
than he probably supposed.
REPoRTER-Did you not mean to say by your let
ter that the President had abandoned relorm9
Mr.. CURTIS speaking leisurely and crossing his
legs comfortably oh, dear, mol My letter showed
simply difference OF opinion between the Presi-
had abandoned the reform, but said that this
seemed to me to be an abandonment Of the regula-
lions. 1t isn't at all my view that the President
has made any
PLEDGES WHICH He HAS VIOLATED.
Why, that's perfectly absurd--absurd. Why, you
know haven't the slightest il-leeling against the
President, and hope there is none on his part.
Oh, ne; that's perfectly absurd.
REPoRTER-You do not think that President
Grant was elected the ground Of civil service
reform
Mr.. CURTIs-Oh, no. no. This Is q foolish attempt
on the part OF the journals 10 make it appear so.
This Subject is not generally understood. You must
remember this:-The persons who demand civil
service reform are not a powerful element in poll
TICS and here is the proof. Although there was a
plank OF civil service reform in the republican
platform which was adopted IN Philadelphia there
was probably not a single representative elected
asked by his constituents. It's very foolish thing
TO represent that the President elected on the
ground OF civil service reform.
REPoRTER-You would have supported General
Grant even If he had been opposed to IL.
Mr.. CURTIs-0h, as Tor myself | am
REPUBLICAN ny CONVICTION.
] supported General Grant before he protested any
interest in this subject, aud should have supported
him in 1872, even II he had not made meanwhile
that profession. The country, In my Judgment
elected General Grant save it from the coalition
OF old copperheads, ex-rebes and sore-headed re-
publicans; although, no doubt, there small
number Of persons VINO honestly preferred the
chances of MIR. Greeleys election TO the reelection
REpJsTER-what are the differences OF opinion
between General Grant and yourselff
Mr.. CuRTIS-He regards the transfer from
part oil the service to another as promotion
within the meaning OF the rules; and then think
more strictly within party lines than think Is
consistent with any genuine reform think 1t
very possible that the President interprets the
power Of amending and changing the rules in a
more arbitrary sense than think Is allowable I'M
der the system You see therefore, that the Presi-
In my resignation that conveys the slightest impu
tation upon
THE PRESIDENTS PURPOSE AND SINCERITY
REPoRTER-Which the "several important ap-
pointments" that seemed to show you an abandon
ment of the relormY
MR. CURTIs-Ireferred to the appointments to the
Surveyorship and Post once OF New York and to
others. consider these two appointments clear
violations OF the rules. Mr.. James. the new Post
master, is a friend of mine, and although I don't
know much about General Sharpe, the new Survey
y
are not to the men but to the principle. think
The reappointment OF Mr.. Casey In New Orleans was
mistake in view Of the report made by the Con-
gressional Committee.
REPoRTER-Why?
MR.. CURTrs-Because civil service reform con-
templates the removal oi these officers from politics.
and also because Mr.. Casey had not only taken a
conspicuous but even an Improper part IN the poll
tics OF Louisiana. That was why the President
ought not to have appointed him, and not because
he was the Presidents brotherin.law. (On-handed).
That's matter of taste. The appointment OF SUR
New W n n TN
which specified the particular manner in which
certain Surveyors, including that OF New Orleans,
should be appointed, and yet the Surveyor OF New
Orleans was appointed
IN DISREGARD OF THOSE PROVISIONS.
REPoRTER-You object more particularly to the
appointments In New York;
Dir. CURrIs-Yes. / think the chief appointments
In New York showed that What Is called political
influence was stronger than the principle of re-
form. l refer to the appointments OF Surveyor,
Postmaster, and also OF the Marshal. Although he
was deputy and promoted, and is, believe, a
thoroughly Ut person for the position, he was yet
not promoted In strict accordance with the letter
OF the rules while the letter OF the rules was urged
as a reason for Withdrawing the nomination Of the
Deputy Surveyor to be surveyor, which had been
already made to the Senate.
REPoRTER-Do you think that the President Is
Still sincere in The matter Of civil service reform
Mr.. CuRIIs-Oh, fully.
REPoRTER-And that IL Will be ultimately estab.
lished on a firm basis .
Mr. CURTIs-I think that II will be; but 1t must
be In different way from that which has been
pursued during his administration.
REfoRTER-ls General Grant aware that he has
abandoned the reform
Mr.. CUNTS don't believe he thinks he has
abandoned It, II Is difference OF opinion between
u.s. Our views differ.
REPoRTER-Be Kind enough 10 give me your
views.
Mr.. CURTIs-I think the essential principle OF civil
service reform Is ming the oihces with honest and
capable men In a manner which shall pat them
BEYOND MERE POLITICAL PATRONAGE.
or course when that reform is undertaken by the
President alone, unless the principle Is strictly adj
hered to, there Will be no real change OF the
system, and, consequently, there would be no ade-
quate result at the close OF his ADM mist ration:
while II the system were strictly adhered to there
would be at the close OF his administration no
party In the country that would dare propose to
return to the old system. i think that as mere
matter OF policy the President is In the position to
enforce the system entirely.
KEPoRTER-Are the members OF the Cabinet In
sympathy with the movements
Mr.. CuRTIs-The members OF the Cabinet are dis