St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-11
The Lecture by Carl schurz.


the attention of his large audience for
an hour and a quarter while he treated
the great subject of Civil Service Re-
form. He was introduced by Prof.
Henry Fairbanks. Ex-Secretary Schurz
talked of matters on which he is well
posted, SO that the numerous references
he made to civil matters at Washing
ton can be relied on us portraying the
real state of affairs. He spoke in sub
stance as follows: The subject of Civil
Service Reform is one of the serious
kind, and hope you will not be dis
appointed if treat it in serious man
ner. The American people are pre-
eminently practical, and all practical
people will recognize certain require
ments for the successful conduct of
business and first among them dill
gence and specific knowledge. These
things are necessary for all kinds OF
know the market, and have some
knowledge of the demand and supply,
and of the conditions under which the
articles will rise and sink in value. If
you want IA oOk-keeper, you will look
for a man who can keep books and
whose integrity can be depended upon.
You will inquire into his habits and
his knowledge of the business, and
when yOu satisfy yourself you will
choose the best from among those who
come up to your requirements. Sup
pose a friend says, 81 want you to
appoint this man your book-keeper, y
you would say, ''Does he know any
thing about the business and has he a
good character ?" 'Well," says your
friend, Il don't know as to his knowl-
edge of bookkeeping, but he is a
member of base ball club and helped
elect me captain of the club, and |
want you to help him." "YOur man,
you will say, "may be excellent, but is
not the man for my establishment.
| y
fulfil them at your own expense"
Let me address myself to the ladies.
You want IA cook. The first thing you
inquire about is whether she knows
how to cook. You select the best
among those presented. Suppose a
friend recommends cook to you, not
| oil, lint Inc
is favorite, and knows how to play a
banjo. "Well," you will say" let heI
join minstrel troupe and play the
banjo. She is not the person for my
Kitchen" Now your fathers and broth
ers and husbands constitute this great
people and have hand i'll managing
the business of the republic and this
is more important than your shops OIL
your kitchen, since it involves the we'll
being of all of us. To successfully con-
duet it requires a great variety of in
dustry and experience. And now,
ladies, it may not increase your rever-
ence for the lords of creation when
say that in conducting this great gov
eminent they do tolerate appointments
GU simple grounds. $50 out into the
world, and you will see with how little
wisdom it is governed" said one.
We hear of dishonesty in public
office. Now how do the men who dc
these things get into Officer Imagine
Il presidential election which transfer:
the power from one party to another
No sooner is President to be inaugu-
rated, than the city of Washington il
crowded with people. What do they
want ? Most of them go there to dc
things which ought to make them fee
mean, for most of them go there for the
purpose of getting office. Others who
are holding Office they want put Ou
that they may be put in. Why do they
want this-because they are qualified
for the offices they ask for Not at all
Most of them ask for office as a reward
for political services to the victorious
party. Armed with petitions yards
long, they besiege the departments anC
of them do not know that they neve
can get Office because they haven't til,
right kind of support. But they han:
on till they lose everything, includin!
their self-respect, and go away with
profound conviction of the ingratitud
of republics.
What is the "right kind of support
Not all the soldiers of victOriOu
army are permitted to share in tn
spoils taken. The officers claim TIN
privilege of naming those privates VIII
; may receive spOils, and they see to it tina
: those are rewarded who are likely t.
J be of service to them when needed
: was with Mr.. Lincoln on one occasion
when he was asked, GLOW do yOl
) know these offices are filed by tn
: right men ~ He replied that he ha,
to rely wholly on recommendations
, The principal ones of this victoriou
, party are the Congressman. The mem
) Der of Congress needs men to use thei
, influence for him, and these men h
, has to reward for services alread,
: rendered, and he has to keep them il
good humor so they may serve hin
f again. The member claims the priv
) lege of designating men for office il
l his district likewise the average Sen
ator claims the disposal of offices il
his own state. Some COngressmei
look up these things with view to tn
good of the republic, and | am glad t
say that your own Senators, Edmund
: and Morrill,, are among this number