Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-05-15
Last Days Proceedings OF the Ass9cia-
iiJn IN Session at DetrOit-Nost
Important Discussions Of
the Session.
Hon. y. b. Eaton, on the Experiment
uf Civil SerVics EefOrm 10 the
United states-A Lengthy
Document.
Prof. C.. A. Kent, on the Organization
and Management Of Political Par
ties, and their Attendant
evils, Etc.

DETROIT, May l4-In the American
social science association this morning
hon. DJrman 3. Eaton, president o. the
late civil service commission, read pa.
per on tue experiment Of civil service re.
form iT The United States, which was ex
tremeiy lengthy, but was listened to with
marked attention by the large audience
Mr. Eaton began by saying that the de-
liDerste and needless abandonment Of 2
plan uy which great nation had entered
upon q reform Of lis gravest abuses may
well arrest the attention Of all thought
lul persons Never before in our history
hEs there been such a surrender Of a
higher % lower element in our politics.
Heretofore, in every great struggle for
reform, we have fought il out to victory
on tie line OF our advance, and have
planted our standard high up in the light
~ the inspiring element. After dwell
lug upon the disasters which must result
from the total abandonment OF reform,
thG dismay or the best men and the de-
light % partisans and office-seekers ut
this national breach Of pledge and dis-
grace, he proceeded to consider
The justification OF the responsible
parties, and the future prospects. The
Inauguration Of the spOils systems COM
meuced with President Andrew Jack
son, VINO removed nearly two thousand
gilieeTs iu year for partisan reasons.
Other Presidents removed very few.
The last report Of the civil service COM
mlssi0ugr showed that no officers had
been removed Tor opinions sake that
year Now, however, We have returned
80 the Old detestable system. The Re-
publican party in 1871 adopted the re-
'lIL rule because it believed il would
add 90 their strength The President
brought sn honest and heroic patriotism
from the battle field, and the political
atmosphere wss pure. The time was
2usEsciJus. The evils o. the old system
and the beauties Of the new were en-
larEed on, and 2 Law was passed author
iziug the President, with his associates,
10 adopt reform measures. A system of
rules was carefully matured, and con-
gTe5s approved them heartily in two
separate sessions. The Republican par
ty fully pledged itself to sustain the sys-
TEN in its congress, in its conventions,
and IN every possible way. The nation
81 Democratic aud Labor Reform con-
veltiOus passed resolutions commend
lug D.. State conventions OF public men,
orators and writers eulOgiZed il. The
praise of the President and faith in him
was in the heart of all, and public graft
tude was part Of the nerited faith OF
Mr.. Curtis aud his fellOw-cOmmissiOn-
ers. The dominant party was strength
eueI bJ the popular vote, and everybody
looked for d better era in politics. These
rules provided: First-Against political
assessments, leaving every citizen to
contribute as be wished toward the pro-
motion Of his opinions. Second-That
only a few Of the highest offices should
be filed by adherents of the dominant
party, the others to be filled by the best
men, irrespective OF political opinions.
ThiTd-Iesls were to be good reputation,
honesty, and fair comparative exami-
nation Ofapplicants. FOurth--AppOiDt-
n2ents were to be made by superior off
cers according to the result of test, first
probationary FOR six months, and subse-
quenuy On behavior. Fifth-Thst this
power should not be exercised arbitrari-
iy, ard that nobody should be removed
10 make place fOr another. SiXth-That
frequent competitions should take place,
and that the examinations should be
conducted by nOn-psrtisan commission
ers. Ssyenth-Tbat promotions were
to be grading, admission being first
10 the lower grade. Eigbth-The records
~ history Of each appOintee during his
services should &c kept. Ninth-Thst
nC person should hold at the same time
a Stale and a Federal office. Tenth
The rules were applied also to that in
sermediate class Of collectors service,
and Others not wholly exempt, but yet
to whom competition was not extended.
This. ia the opinion of Mr. Eaton, was
ineXgedigut. And here the difficulties
arose; and because Mr.. Curtis, the first
chairman OF the commission, believed
tuat he could not retain his position and
u-efulness, and also his self-Tespect, he
resigned Ar. Eaton then refers to the
report OF the cabinet meeting Of April,
1874, which approved so highly the op-
GRAFTON OF the rules, and declared that
their good effects are sensibly felt
throughout the land. Therefore the
rules should be enforced, with necessary
notifications. Now, however, the peril
began with the waning patriotism aud
morality Of the party on which the
rules relied for support. The salary
grab law, tue credit mObilier scheme,
and other measures, indicated that
the demorGlized local organs OF
the party declared a reform useless;
contractors, demogOgues and spoils-
men denounced it and called for its
overthrow; partissns besieged the Pres
Edert and cabinet with dolorous COM
plants of party losses by reason OF the
rules f1rbidding assessments on clerks
and depriving the party msjOTities Of
their appointments aud perquistes. In
act. Oi Ike experience OF England
which had purified her political ma
eh.uerv by similar means. The Repub-
a -.
TO. while they stultitied themselves and
vaved the way for the defeat OF their
asrtv 10y speciOusly iusinuaung that
ne rules were autocratic IN spirit and
hostile to the genius of our institutions.
But. said Mr.. Eaton, 1 forbear any
surtbey evidence Of decay in the moral
tone o. party dear to me, and which, l
trust. Will yet rise to the level Of its ear
Fier achfevmeuts. Mr. Eaton then
.rscsd The progress Of the various
.HI- proposed IN congress for quiet alb
.,ifir1 II the reform; in the efforts IN
congress go defeat the MEASURES Of ITS
importers, and the couBteT efforts ot the
convention, which were puny and in
.fifi-fent, without substitute, without
frgete. without calling the ayes and
noes. without any avOwal Of policy or
.a-fElmenL OF reasons, without one
manly protest even in the congress o!
.Eg United States, The party IN
l5wa- adrJily attempted, by refusing q
-nlaIi argr5p 5priation to soothe q measure
rr reform thus successfully carried for
-ggr.i uuderitsown enactment, for which
lis President and cabinet appealed, and
gnau the 'ai.h of which the election had
neeu carried. There are no more hum
GIggeriss on the pages Of the records OF
.01aress than those which record the
rrD-uumati9n OF this policy. The
greater responsibility rests on congress,
iTgt is he President faultless2 Nh
Eaton didn't justify the indiscriminate
Insure uu his shoulders, but affirms he
eve sad occasion for criticism, and that
Iafrg hard pressed by the party, he
welded too much, and reiterated Whist
be should have repu1isted. Still, be i5
entitled 10 praise for being the first
President who had the moral courage to
uvertlr8w the sp0ils system. There
.,,. ~a cor gre-smeE, too, who denounced
80 They were bound Ia honor 10
.-[s-sfr q, i-l after the refusal Of congress
- e-r--r,. .Rle anything TO support the
rar,Frn Tle commissioners could 90
.tge. atiast the President announced
r6-rrsss last year tis,7t II 1t adjourned
without positive Legislation on the clFii
service reform, ne would regaTo su0l AZ