New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-26
THE CHURCH C0NGRRsS.

| PROVIDENCE. r. l., Oct. 25.-The Church
Congress began its seventh annual session in this city TO
day. there being large gathering Of prominent clergy
men and laymen Of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Devotional services we're held in Grace Church at 10
O'clock when an address delivered by Bishop g. g.
Harris OF Michigan The Congress then assembled In
Lows Opera house. where the inaugural address de-
iyered by Bishop T. NJ Clark of Rhode Island followed
by memorial address by the Rev. Dr. George d. Wilder,
general secretary of the Congress.
At the evening session the opera house crowded
The topic of discussion civil service reform The
discussion opened by paper by Charles Gibbons
of Philadelphia who considered the history OF civil
vice reform in One great object to be sought in
its REFORM said he is the protection OF the President
from oppressive demands for Office The system OF COM
petitive examinations has been fairly tested and proven
efficient but the merit system alone cannot bring relief
The act Of Congress- OF 1920 limiting the term Of certain
offices four years allows the President to be harassed
by hOrdes Of partisans demanding Office"
Seth Low, of Brooklyn, argued that the system Of
patronage in the civil service made the Ma
tional Government factor in local contests,
and its possible control over the machinery
OF elections was hostile to the expression OF
popular will in nominations. Administration and legis-
laon turned largely upon patronage which engrossed
the thoughts Of both officials and legislators democrat
lied the civil service by the selection of improper clerks
and placed the chance Of government employment as
prize to be and kept by personal or party service
Civil service reform proposes remedy legislation to
limit in every way the scope Of patronage and In TINS
way has England redeemed herself
Joseph Packard jr, traced public opinion regarding
civil service. Judging from past history he said tho
fight between the and outs should have been settled
by the result between the two great parties and the
continuance in power OF should involve the cOntinu
ance in office Of existing ofce-hoders. Public opinion
has been shaping itself good deal in regard to what
good government really is 1t is agreed that 1t NAV DO
brought about by fitness for Office fixture OF tenure and
freedom from partsansbpthe three Fs OF civil service
reform
Edward p Wheeler, of NewYOrk, who is chairman Of
the National League for Civil Service Reform. after
speaking the evils OF the spOs system stated the pro-
posed remedies. He advocated making Civil Service
distinct profession as much as the law, medicine or
the Ministry. Candidates should be examined as 10
their peculiar fitness the Office to be competed Tor
they passed the examination they should be placed on
probation and then if competency was shown De re-
tanned in the office permanently He answered forcbly
the arguments against this plan, and claimed that was
distinctly American plan In this work OF reform the
Church, he said, should make itself powerfully fet IN
doing it woud only be working in the spirit OF ts
Great RefOTmer.
Francis Lynde StetsOn, OF NewYOrk, endorsed the
Willis and PcndletOn bills strongly denounced the as
sessment OF the NewYOrk Custom House clerks now be-
made urged the necessity OF public recognition OF
the civ Of the present Civil Service System, and denied
that the proposed reform I'M American, Tor Jener
sons system like that proposed by the reiorners