Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-04-23

Altogether there were seven members-tbree
were taken from the departments in Wash
ington, IN order that there might be always
ACCURATE INFORMATION Az I'd THE DETAILS
OF the service. We were always most har-
monIous, and our rec )mmendations were
unanimous. But, of those four unofficial
members, L have resigned ex-senator Cat
tell OF New Jersey, goes abroad in the pub
TIC service as special Treasury agent to
place this new loan; Mayor Medill, of Chi
cago, resigned because he held another posi-
ton; 50 that only Judge Walker remains
Mr. Cattell has not resigned, but will be alb
ScLt year. 1t will be necessary, under the
system, that there be an Advisory Board,
but not exactly Of that number; you see,
'he whole thing is at the Presidents pleas
ure- 1t is possible that he will be satisfied
with the i've remaining members-Wa Walker,
Cattell, and the three gentlemen from the
departments.
Reporter-Is Congress in sympathy with
the movement?
MIR. Curtis-Congress is hostile almost to
man. Mr.. Willard, of Vermont, is almost
the only member OF the House who accepted
the present system unreservedly. lie tried
to have it incorporated into law. Senator
Schurz is genuine civil service reformer,
and Senator Summer is in favor of it; but
both Schurz and Sumner
HAVE NO FAITH IN ANY REFORM
Of any kind under this administration Sen
ator E1munds, of Vermont, is also in favor
OF reform. General Butler is, perhaps. the
leader of the opponents of civil service re-
form in the House
RepOrter-Has the Board accom- plished
much thus far
Mr.. Curtis-The Board has accomplished
a good deal in filling some Of the minor off
ces. Inc appointments to minor offices in
the Treasury Department have been gener-
ally made, not always, in accordance with
the rules. This was owing to the fact that
MIR. Boutwell, was willing to give the thing
fair trial, and that the Treasury Board Of
Examination contains gentlemen most SIN
cereiy devoted to reform, and who took all
the pains OF preparing details and so on.
Reporter-To what do you really attribute
the failure of the reform?
Mr.. Curtls-l think the pressure has been
too strong for General Grant, and of course
this is fight between the principle of re-
form and political pressure. [ think the
managers Of politics are ali opposed to the
thing This fight in Albany is simply fight
to control the city of New York by the pow
er of patronage, and it is that spirit which
is utterly opposed to the principle OF civil
service reform. Our politics will become
MORE AND MORE PRosTITUTED AND BEGGARED
until they are saved by the principle that
underlles this reform.
Reporter predict for the country a
sad future?
Mr.. Curtis Qaughing in his goo1-natpfred
way) No, for | think we shall triumph. l
think this will become more and more a car
dinal question in politics, and the interest
General Grant has taken in 1t has certainly
carried it very far forward. The progress
that we have made in regard to the subject
in the last three or four years has been per-
tectly immense.
Reporter-You Do not consider your ca
reer as a civil service retormer closed?
Mr.. Curtis mphatically)- my inter
est IN the matter is unchanged. | shall
spare no effort you know-not at all. 1t the
press would take heartily hold OF it they
would carry it by educating the people up
TO 1t.