, 1881-03-20
CIVIL-SERVICE REFORM.

An Association for That FafPoso
Formed In N1ilsyaukce'
Special Dtspateh TO The Chicago Tribune
MILWAUKEE, March 19.-The forlnatlon OF
q CiyilSeryice Reform Association Heio' ~
which number Of prominent De"oc1ats
have united with about all equal NUMBER u
liberal Republicans, is believed 10 oe t1o
mark Of a new era in the history OF tne
Democratic partv of Milwaukee and Wlscoh-
sin. and perhaps Of the National orgahlza-
tim A sentiment has existed among tno
better element in this State for some years
that there is neither mental satisfaction nor
nt,cnniary protit in holding together pol'tt-
caI structure so unsavory in reputation ana
so inharmonious in all its proceedings.
TIN, Tr1n17SE struck this cord the otner
day in its address to Col. William
= Villas The article upon the young
Madison politician has created profound I'M
prpssion throughout the State. While II re-
ferred to N1r. Villas individually, it appealed
IN thousands of others who were sired py
democratic fathers, but whose political and
rusiuess interests have naturally tended 10
make them Republicans. The old-tllne Lead
ers in this city have drifted away from me
party in spite of their repeated confessions
of faith. Our Democratic bankers, mer-
chants. and farmers, who appreciate the neeu
of a sound financial condition a1a clean
Government, nave little sympathy III
common with the Bourbon organlza-
ton, which, in addition 10 lis
taint of dfsloya1ty, has stood upon every
side of every important issue in tile conduct
of the Government from ante-bellum days 70
fila present time. Gen. Bragg's position in
Congress and Col. Villas position in the Grant
movement last spring are among the best po.
liticaI illustrations Of this idea. The demand
FIR n reorganization Of the Democratic party
! under the new name finds ready response III
| Wisconsin. The increasing Republican nl;a,
7orities here prove the inaDillty 11 lis nnh u.h
busi,ess biy = men men as Il. l.. Palmer, John
% Johnston, Michael Boddel1, Alexande1
| Mitchell, George II. Paul. Edward .,l =.
| Wall, and B. LeiderSdorf,- WHO III aae .ee
now now either left that camp OF are ,9 SO un IN
demonstrating that no one can teil wnele l;
they stand in politics. SUCH are TIE men
who are organizing the Civil.Seryice keioln!
AssocaHon, Of which Gen: Winaler mas nSe iia
iih iihood that political discussion in the new
| BODY will support the principles OF the Ke
! nubl1can party. The constitution OF the A.
sociation shows that it is pledged TO tne
establishing Of system o. o. anp9;1!nieih fp.;1
| H. ~-
fonndt.d upon the principle that publ {
Office is public trust, admission t
Which should depend upon approvct
illness To this eild the Association WI
demand that 70 excenions
;bt NAY BE- expedient not inconsistent win the
nrinciplc already mentioned, shall be madt
froni persons whose fitness has been ascer Sc eF
tanned BY competitiv veexanlinatio1s,npen M to a.
| applicants properly qualified. and that relnov
ais sliall be made for legitimate cause only
such as dishonesty, negligence, or inettlclen
cy. but not for political opinion OF refusal t
render party service, and the Association Wll ~
advocate all other appropriate measures To-
es good orden and die discipline in the Civi
Service. The conditions of membership, ar
| wholly independent Of party preference, btit
willie the osteusible object is Clvil+oervlc'
| reform, the actual result will be to give tn
Democracy new nanle and new start II
| the world,