National Republican., 1878-10-18
COLONEL DE AHNA,s LUNCHEON.
A Lecture In which He Gives his Views
of Civil Service,


Colonel Henry c. De Alma, lato collector Of
customs for Alaska, lectured at Tallmadsc
Hall last evening upon "Civil Service; or, A
Luncheon with the President and What Came
of It." The lectIro was in reality tho story Of
Colonel De Ahnn's own experience Of "ciyil
service" $50 called, with which the public is
already familiar. His appointment to the
position of collector, the opposition OF Secretary
sherman, the assurance from President Hayes
that he would he sustained, his 7,0)J.mile trip
to sitka, the sudden and unexpected revoca.
ton of his appointment, leaving himself aud
family household goods and furniture on the
friendless shores Of British Columbia, with only
g of available funds, his troubles in getting
hack to Washington, and the manner lie was
treated by the officials here were all narrated
graphically aud humor1usly. Referring to his
experience before obtaining his appointment
to Sitka. he spoke of the temporary and per-
mamcnt rolls IN the Departments as a sort
Of Chinese problem which he was unable
TO solve until one night something whispered
In his car that when one was on the perman-
Cmt roll he was temporarily permanent, and
when on the other lie was permanently ten.
p0rary. lie referred to Secretary Sherman
as his arch.cnemy, apparently believing him
Secretary Sherman heard Of his appointment
to Sitki he said that 1t was the very worst
appointment that could he made, adding: 81
don't believe DE Alma Is man of sound
mind" The lecturer said that he believed
| Mr.. Sherman got this idea from the fact that
| when he returned from Panama, having been
| removed from position there, he had an in.
terview with Mr.. sherman, In which he made
some remarks about the originality of the civil
service, stating to the Secretary that It he
| were an examiner In the Patent. Office and an
| application was made lie would not hesitate to
grant patent one minute. lie spoke mOdcstly
Of his own foreign birth, not having presumed
to come over here to instruct the President
| Of the United States in the manner of run
ming tine Government Ono Gcrman he said
| has q monopoly In that business.
| When he reached Washington after his
| wild goose chs'e he called upon Hon. Carl
Schurz, who advised him 10 see the President
The next day lie called upon the President
aud His Excellcncy said "Now, Colonel
follow my advice; you go to Carl schurz.'
| The lecturer said that he never knew a mar
who fully understood tho beauties of ciy
| service. The secret was that q man mus
hold on to somebody's cOat.tail. He askct
| what hope or induCement was helC
out to any man to dedicate his tim,
and talents to the service of the Govern
ment. lie read an anonymous note which h,
had received, stating, "llavo you any idea tina
they will or can spring any letter on you from
the rebel archives? ?" lie paid high tribut
to Abraham Lincoln. and said that when h
remembered him all malice passed from hi
heart and he had charity for ALL Haye'
! Schurz, and Sherman included. He had fait
in the destinics of this Republic, knew tina
the civilservice must eventually be reformed
and trusted that all Joined him in the hop
that the policy. of Cancellation in the trues
scnse of the word will become q success.