New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-05
THE WOODSTOCK CELEBRA TON.
SENATOR WARNER MILLER on REFORM.
THE sPous SYSTEM DESOUNcED-PoEMs By LONG

SENATOR WARNER MILLER on REFORM
THE sPou4s SYSTEM DESoUScED-PoEMs By LONG
FELLOW AND r. Ii. sroDDARD READ.
PUTNAM, Conn.,, July 4.-Senator Warner
Miller NewYork, the chief orator to-day at the
Roseland Park celebration at Woodstock He spoke
the subject OF Civil and Administrative Reform The
Senator referred to the purity OF the Civil Service OF this
Government in the time OF Washington and In the
ceedng Administrations NJ TO that OF Andrew Jackson.
wherein there was begun change for the worse, and
from which present system may DO said largely to
have originated He contrasted the purity OF the earlier
times with the political methods Of to-day, and vehe-
menty denounced the present " boss" system He adj
yocated the system Of competitive examinations
OF the most effective means of remedying the evil In
conclusion he said
In 1880 the American people called to their leadership
q nan who had spoken many brave words in behalf OF
tins cause He was enthusiastic for its success he
always for every cause which looked TO the improve
ment of the people and the Government Il ia
sary 70 claim that he was perfect for ne was human.
Nor that he always consistent with his theory Tor no
called to administer q Government in which THIS ac-
cursed spos system has nad free for fifty years
and In which 1t ntrenched itself BY all the means
prompted by sesness until II not only has nll control
Of the Federal Government, but has reached out ana
taken possession o. both municipal and state Govern
ments can be iuy consistent ia ms Efforts iOr rei2r
Only these who knew aim Intimately knew wnat plzh
hol and ambitious he entertained that he might our
ng his Administration bring back the Government 10 lts
Original simplicity ana pulty but tne es ST. MIN
It's advocates nave taken new lhspra'lon anu oo
from mis- departing spirit and registered vow never "
acheved TDe conflict between tue systems OF patron
age merit is Trepressbe % the Old CONNECT De-
tween liberty and slavery Adverse circumstances may
roll back the FOR time, ana ts enemies may hold
it in check, Dut its final triumph Is sure Tor the Anof
people yet failed To accomplish any change OF
in their laws Constitution, winch they
behave b. tor their wel-being Having enlisted
in this they will NOT turn back or deserr1t want
10 here publicly declare mat in my Judgment TINS cen
tury viii close before tue reform will be complete.
and the new>century wil find Government more nrmy
es, abiisn,d than upon the principles which pre-
vailed when It born. 1t VIII hni people VINO arc
but also proud OF what will then be tns abest aud the
purest civil service Ia the world.
The following hitherto unpublished lines by the late
Henry W. Longfellow read. They were traislate'
from scnier's " Columbus " for Charles Sumne-:
Steer bold mariner on albeit witlings derde thee
And the steersman drop IDLY his nand ut the nelm
Ever Westward! there mast The coast DC dlscO'
hit but lie distinct, luminous lie in thy mind
Trust God that leads thee and follow the sea that
a. sent
Did il not yet EXIT now would il rise from the food
Nature with Genius stands united IN league eFSIistiuB
What is promised To one, surely the other performs,
The following Voices from the Past were read by
Richard II. stoddard:
Beneath the blue arch OF this perfect sky,
We gather the Nations Holiday,
And, while the rosy hours are going by,
We ponder what they bring aud take away;
Mirth, music, and Tue little ones at pay
Upon the dappled shadows Of the trees
Laugh on, light hearts But we, whose heads arc
gray,
Than can your minds in these bright days
OF Peace