New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-09-14
JOHN II. STARIN'S POSITION.
THE VIEWS OF A PLAIN BUSINESS MAN.


SERVICE REFORM, THE TARIFF AND OTHER
QUESTIONS.
| The near approach of the time for holding tho
| Republican State Convention and the mention of
the name Of the Hon. John II. Starn as one Of the
| candidates for the nomination for Governor
| render the views Of that gentleman public
| questions a matter of general interest. A Tribune
reporter found Mr.. Starln at his office, at the foot
Of Cortlandt-s yesterday, busy with IN mess mat
! tors, to attend to which ne came down from his
| country home at Fultonvle, FGltOn County.
Tuesday. lie expected to return home last evening"
and in consequence the time at his disposal for an
| interview limited. Mr. StaTin u tai, and, al
| though somewhat spare in frame, he looks if he
| enjoyed vigorous health. His face shows combI-
nation Of strength and kindliness IN his character,
and his manner is ingenious and earnest. lie talked
freely the topics brought his attention far
as his time would allow
Personally would prefer 10 avoid newspaper
interview" he said AS / am not dc,lrous oi the
appearance Of seeking the nomination for Governor
really do not want it, and regret that my friends
think it bcs to work for me. am a plain business
man. and my tastes in the direction OF business,
and not at all toward politics | do not think that
| possess the qualities to recommend me to regular
politicians, but while not courtng the position Of
Governor, | am willing that it should be
distinctly understood that | shall not en-
barrass my friends who believe 1t wise to adj
Yocate my nomination. You may emphatically
deny that / contemplate any attempt u hold the
vote, that may be secured for iOrtransfr TO any
particular person have never SAID that wished
them to support me after it might appear evident
that they could not secure the nomination On the
contrary, when that becomes evident Lhey are ut
perfect liberty to vote tor whomever they pease.'
| Mr.. Starin spoke freely on the question of Civil
| Service Reform. " As the Civil Service eXamina-
! tious conducted, do not approve then,"
lie said In the first place, politician, OF inllu-
cnce are still able to secure appointments Of
! their favorltes. Then the examination is not Of
lhe Kind to secure the most efficient
| public servants. A young man is taken fresh from
coll,g and questioned to the length OF all the
rivers in the world, the height of mountains aud
he amount of pressure required to produce given
eff ct of steam-power And the very knowledge
that may be requisite for stactory performance
OF special duties which he is to be cact to perform
is neglected. lido not believe in perpetual appoint
ments nor do believe IN the removal Of officers in
! the middle of their terms, nor without sufficient
| cause Political influence should not
govern appointments to office; the character
and ability of the should be the first
| consideration Examinations Tor the subor-
| dinate branches of the civil service shoald DO
sacn as to develop the fitness of the candidates for
the specla work they are expec ed to perform. For
l"stance-and a single one Will Suffice would nave
an inspector of dry goods thoroughly examined AZ
20 hi, oWleige Of the quality and of the method
of manufacture of the goods that he would be ex-
pected 90 inspect Outside Of that, the examination
shou merely be a test Of his general Intelligence.
Sincerely, say that were elected Governor |
would not be affected at ali by political Influences
in different localities, bat would select the best
| men could nd to I'LL the Offices to the best ad-
vantage of the people. The pr, sent sl stem of pO-
ltcal appointments undoubtedly is
curse to the country and is sap
ping its Lfe-bloOd. L believe. too in
the Introduction of new young blood into the body
polite. There are too many Old men in power who
are maintained in position simply because of their
past party services while the real worA j, done by
younger men under them. We want young men
brought forward to hold the honors when they do
the work, ana the old men TO hold the position OF
advisers and councillors of the party That may noe
be helping my own cndidacy," continued Mr.
StaIin, sHiiingy, e" but | believe III what have
>lId.'
Mr. Sarn said that he was not aware Of any atti-
tule taken By tine Administration with respect TO
the present contest for the nomination for Governor.
lis relation, with General Garfield had always been
Of the warmc>t character, but at the :. mo
he was frcudly personally with Air ConilIng and
General Arthur lie preferred to allow his friends
to speak more fully on that subject tie bad
thought that the :cSsnatious OF senators Conklng
and Plat were ili-ady>ed, and he took part
whatever in the fort for tL ir reelection. IIe was
neither a Iialf-bgced nor Slalwart and whoever
might be The nominee ol the Convention would re-
ceIve his loyal support as a Republican.
With regard to the "antI-m0nopoy issue. Mr..
ton of the railroad interests of the State but
thought that state supervision should be ex rci'ed
to prevent excess ye charges or Legitimate
combinations. which are harmful 10 the inter-
ests OF tn people from whom the railroads had
derived their powers As 10 the abolition of al tolls
on the canals, he hardly thought that the people
were ready yet to submit to taxation 10 keep tho
canals repair. lie, OF course. recogniz the fact
OF Tie value Of the canals aud tie necessity Tor car
ing Tor ,hcm,
" The tariff is not an issue that affects the Cow
emorship,' Mr.. Starn SAID IN conclusion, " but |
VIII say tAi,-that believe in protective tarin.'
Intimate trends of Mr. Staun SAID yesterday that
the attempt OF las opponents 10 identity him with
the pronounced >talwart wing of the Republican
party was uuj1stlhaOle. Not only vas Ice never
active in that faction. out his rc1-
lions with President Garfield had been close.
One .fIiemd, who holus particularly intimate
rc.atl0us wi h M >tarln. slid: w Ael Nr S,arln
first went TO COngres, hc sat neXt To General Gar
field, and "a warm irlendsmP spTang up bet Ncen the
tw0 men ANA Was maintained uuUl tire President as
>aSsinatioB tie .eral Arthur former was Mr>taTus
counsel Tor many ear>, ami of cOlrs they have al
ways been friends. Bat that fact di4 no, prevent
Mr ctaun from beng "A warm aud generous
IIcnd Of our martyr President. 10
Indicate the aOn-lacf flonal character oi lr >tarus
support Will mention IS JmoIs nl, supporters tho
Hon. james Arhe Il Ulif-Orcco Ot G. AHA joitile 0nd
strong trlcHu ot the lac senator Wagner stephen
sanford OI Au.ield0;i. one ot tuc largest
copper manufacturers of tie country,
and a StAwart; cX-C0nEg. g.,-uau Mar
yln. Sfaiwart and Judge SIckrtt q
liaif-brced. of Saratoga Assembly man i. A. Wells,
of JohustoNu. D Nall-brccu; rN-Co.gr,ssmtn
Thomas l.. Horizon, a thoiOu- my lr0. pculrut Re-
.r-Ll--n. Lun LLnu. Nanr.n : L--.L..L a..l Lnal.a