Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-09-13
Carl Schurz on Civil Service Reform

EXTRACTS from Ex-senator Schurz Recent Speech
at Cincinnati.
1t is well known that Gov. Hayes was not
my favoritc candidate for the Presidential
nomination, and ! am not in the least in
clined TO extol him with extravagant praise
What | shall say Of him will be simple
Justice to his character and record YOU
citizens Of Ohio, have had the best oppor-
tunity TO form your judgment Of him, from
n near observation Of his official and private
conduct and as far rs | know, that judg-
ment, whether expressed by friend or foe, is
absolutely unanimous Three times he has
been elected Governor OF your State, against
the strongest candidates Of the opposition.
True, he has had no occasion to break up
canal rings, or other extensive and powerful
corrupt combinations, for the simple reason
that in Ohio they did not exist. But it is
universally recognized not only that Gov.
Hayes Is "a man whose personal integrity
stands above the reach OF suspicion, man
OF high sense OF honor, but that his ad
ministrations were singularly pure, ire
proachablc, and efficient in every respect. IL
he had no existing corruption to fight, he
certainly did not permit any To grow up.
Nobody suspects him OF being capable Of
tolerating thief within the reac Of his
power, much less to protect one by favor or
even By negligence. 1t Is also well known
that, while party man, he always sur
rounded himself with the best and most
high-toned elements Of the organization, and
kept doubtful characters at distance He
In esteemed as a man Of "A very strong and
high sense of duty and that quiet energy
which docs not rest until the whole duty il
faithfully performed. The endeavor to
purify the Government and to keep it pure
will, therefore, with him not be "A matter OF
ARTIFICIAL policy, but of instructive desire one
Of the necessities of his nature. He Is honest
aud enlorces honesty around him simply be-
cause he cannot be and do otherwise. In
saying this have Only given the verdict OF
HIS opponents,
The hrst cleaning out process, then, seems
well enough assured in any event. But the
more Important question occurs, In what
manner that cleaning.o process is to be
accomplished and what Is 10 follow. Where
have We to look for that greater and lasting
reform which is to insure an honest and
efficient public service and higher moral
tone in our political life for the futurey On
this point both candidates have spoken in
their letters of acceptance, and their utter
anccs are entitled To far greater considcra
ton than the party platforms Look at the
letter of Gov. Hayes first Ii Is explicit, and
remarkable for the clearness and straight
forwardness of its expressions. Here are
his words:
more tnau lbiiy years ago u system OF
making appointments 10 Office grew up,
based upon the maxim to the victors be
long the spois,' The old rule, the true
rule, that honesty, capacity and fidelity con
st,tuto the only real qualifications for office,
and that there Is no other claim, gave place
to the idea that party services were to be
chiefly considered. Al parties in practice
have adopted this system. 1t has been cs-
sentially modified since its frs; introduc.
il,n has pAf h.,kk Inn. xF..I
At FIRST the President, either directly or
through the heads of Departments, made all
The appointments, but gradually the APP.
pointing power, IN many cases, passed into
the control OF members of Congress. The
offices IN these cases have become not mere.
" the rewards for party services, but re.
wards Tor services TO party leaders. The
system destroys the independence OF the
separate departments OF the Government.
II tends directly to extravaganza and official
neapaeity Ii is temptation 10 dis
honesty. II letters and impairs that
careful supervision and strict accountability
10y which alone faithful and efficient public
service can be secured; IL obstruCts the
prompt removal aud sure punishment OF the
unworthy; in every way 1t dcgrades the civil
service aud the character OF the Government.
IL is felt, am confident, by n large MAORI,
ty of the members of Congress, 10 be au in
tulcrahlc burden aud an uuwarrautablc hiu-
dranop to the proper discharge of their ie-
Ultimate duties Ii ought 10 he abolished.
The reform should be thorough, radical ana
complete. We should return 10 the urinci.
plies aud practices of the founders Of the
Goycrnmeut-supplying by legislation, when
needed, that which was formerly the cStab-
itshcd custom. they neither expected nor
desired FROM the publ c officers auN partisan
service They meant that public officers
should give their whole service e. the GOV
crnmcut and to the people. They meant
thai The officer should be secure IN his ten,
urr as long As his personal character re-
manned uutaruishvd, and the performance
of his duties satisfactory lfclccted, | shall
conduct the administration OF the Govern
mcut upon these principles, and all COAST.
mhonal powers vested IN the Executive will
he employed 20 establish this reform "
Then he pledges himself 20 the " speedy,
thorough and unsparing prosecution aud
punishment OF an pablo officers who bctrAy
official trusts And finally, " believing that
the restoration OF the Civil Scry &c 10 the
system established by Washington and FOL.
lowed los the early Presidents. can hc best
accomplished by an Executive who is under
no temptation 10 use the patronage of his
office to promote hls own re-elvCuon,' he
performs What he regards As duty in
stating his inhexible purpose, II elected,
not TO be q cand idatc tor election u see,
ond term.
This is the elearest and yomplete>t pro.
grammv of civil service reform ever put
forth by public. man in this Republic. Not
. single essential point is forgotten, and,
what Is more, there Is no sagpcncs> or
cQui,ocatiou Of statement or promise. Ne
back door Is left for escape, Each point is