Morning journal and courier., 1882-12-09
Civil Service Reform.

Thomas R. LOunsDury and Theodore 5. ! Woolsey of Yale College, Morris r. Tyler, F.. 5. Wheeler, Judge Harrison, Superintendent Dutton, George A. Butler, George l.. Fox, ! Samuel Lloyd, S. A. Galpin, H. J. PruddeH,i F. P. Aryine and E. D. Robbins of /Xart- l ford. MT. James F. Colby the secretary, called the meeting to order, aHd in the ab- l sence of the president the first vice president, MT. F. s. Wheeler, presided. The reading of the minutes of t>**s last meeting was voted dispensed with The report of the executive committee />was read by Mr. Colby. The Work Cf the past year of the society was re- heersed and the hope expressed that the in- terest in the reform would continue. /
 Measures looking to consolidation of the town and city governments in the towns in this State where such exist were advocated. The report expressed satisfaction with the progress of the reform It was reported to be advancing and public men were finding that 1t was neither undemocratic or unconstitu tional (Applause) More particularly the report was substantially as follows Your executive committee have the honor to pre- sent herewith their first annual report for the year ending December Sth 1882.
 We have sought to promote these objects by the fol- lowing methods:
 Firstly circulating and obtaining signatures to ttons afterwards presented to Congress- praying for the abolition of the spells system and the establish law prohibiting political assessments. One such pc ttion signed by five hundred and twenty one legal voters of the city of New Haven, included it's most prominent ministers, lawyers, bankers, manufactur and merchants.
 tiontracts speeches and reports upon civil service reform. During the year there have been purchased for distribution 1900 different documents bear ana renorts have beee dstrbnted in New Haven fewh have ejuh hOrin own fOr R. trbuion, others still in the possession of the association and will be sent to anyone who desires \ copy of any or all of these doucuments.
 Third-By calling public attention to the assess of federal oficehoders for political purposes.
 In June of the present year letters addressed to
 the postmaster of this city and to the collector of
 of city to ooy
 the socaled request of the Republican Congressional l expenses of the congressional campaign would ! occasion his dismissal retard his promotion, or
 subject him to any penalty or adverse discrimination
 during the administration of the present incumbeHts. l In the answers received both our postmaster and
 collector affirmed that their efces conduct
 ed strictly business principles without reference
 to political considerations and that no clerk serving
 under them would be dismissed refusing to
 tribute for pa party purposes oc..,,x.ess
 from this Congressional district Both of the nomi
 the Hon. Charles L. Mitchell and General s. E.
 to the principles of this association The
 full candidate the Hon. Charles L. Mitchell is his
 pledged to support this reform in the next Congress ! Fifth-By correspondence and action with the Ma
 which consists of representatives. of nearly all the Civil Service Reform associations in the United
 Staes and aims to promote the and to faci \ itate the correspondence and united action of the \ Civil Service Reform associations.
 \ Repeated efforts have been made to secure ad ! dress upon this subject from the Hon. Carl Schurz
 and it is hoped that he may speak in this city at nc s distant day.
 Your committee are of opinion that the work thut
 during the ensuing year, and that efforts should be
 made to organize local associations in some of the
 large towns of this county, and to secure public
 discussion the principles administrative
 in such towns, before the country is again plunged \ into the excitement of presidential campaign. The probability that some measure for the oonsoli
 dation of town and city governments in this State
 will be submitted to the General Assembly at it's
 session makes it proper to add that the principles
 civil service reform have application to State ant municipal affairs well as to the administration O. ) ! the national government The abolition of th'
 I interest
 the town government has as an historical survival
 any Civil Service Reform association. This dua ! system of government not only multipl1es caucuse
 minstration but doubles the nun1ber of elective of hcers divides official responsibility and increase the difficulties of the individual voter whose on
 interest in government is to secure the election
 ns and th a gle to the public veal.
 It is believed be of the utmost importance tha
 there be relaxation of effort by those intereste
 in this reform, until the public sentiment which ha
 has been crystallized into law and until voters sha \ have such definite knowledge of what that la, ! should be- and such interest in its enforcement,
 will subject all officials who violate it's provisions
 only to intelligent criticism, but to effective punish ' 1nent at the polls.
 The report was accepted and ordered O. s file. The report of the treasurer was calle for and read by the treasurer, MT. samue Lloyd. balance in the treasury of $2s 1 I was reported. The expenditures were $4s 12.
 @ MT. Woolsey moved that a committee s nominate officers for the ensuing year be al @ pointed; carried, and the chair appointe l { Woolsey s. E. Baldwin, Chas. l.. Baldwi | and MT. Farnam.
 n MT. E. D. Robbins, of Hartford, secretar : of the State association, was called upon fe o remarks. He said the outlook for the refor, d was favorable and encouraging. Recruits = the cause were coming in, including man :: men of note. The near success of the nov ,. ment was no longer problematical. How | IS secure the requisite legislation to attain tl @ reform was vital question. There must roofing out of the great center of corru]
 tion in public life. The control and dispos l. tion of the public offices, which were dole s- out as bribe, was the canker. The pows B. of using subordinate positions as brib. . must be withheld. It seems to me that the, d centers on this. Appointments to subord
 nate positions in the civil service must d n pend upon competition. The speaker spoI of proper competitive methods and tests f. > official positions. The office should deper e no longer on the ability of some one to ru
 @ ward caucus, and the incumbent should # rec to discharge his duty without fear of p flitical bosses The speakers remarks we applauded.
 Judge Harrison was called upon. He sa e the previous speaker had expressed the ca ,r pretty fully. Judge H. said the reform nee ! p/>t fn int to > offices. It should govern the tenure 1T office also. The reform should apply to S
 curing the tenure of office as well as to s m curing competitive examination. There is . certain class of officers in both the towns a1 T. cities in this State that ought to be includ of in this work, such as town clerk, judge st probate and some municipal offices. He 1T, was @ field for immediate practical work. I New Haven there was an efficient proba J. judge. But this might be different anoth ry time. 1 would approve of the appointme
 by the Governor of all the judges in t r1r State, for minor as we'll as superior court y The offices of town clerk and selectm G. ought not to be such changeable position as It was detrimental to have these officers co Ie stantly or frequently changed.
 ol On the above subject Mir. Robbins a o' Judge Harrison had few remarks, partic
 larly with reference to the tenure of off
 point.
 MT. Robbins read letter received fire
 ! Judge Henry StOcdard, who on account els indisposition had been confined to the hou at for several days and was unable to attend t ay meeting. Judge Stoddard in his letter sai UT NEW HAVEN, Dec 2, 1ss1
 James F. Colby, Esq.
 I ana very desrous to be present st the ann
 meeting of association and will come if f ep ! able. Just at present, however, am compelled no deal gently with myself and not expose myself to r ! night air.
 of am much impressed with the belief that the ii of ! has to attempt legislation looking
 practical application of the principles of civil ~ reform to our State and municipal Sof1ices. Many
 the offices that regarded as belonging to
 I victors at each election should be filled by pern
 nent appointment, and it is probable that the apl sa cation of this reform to local matters will ia l necessarily preliminary step to the universal 1 pication of the rule throughout the whole count ie- At least it is subject which will bear discussion s thought. am yours very truly, ts ! HENRY SToDDARI
 Mir. George D. Miller moved that 1.(
 copies of the report of the executive comm zee tee be printed for circulation. After sra remarks on motion of Prof. Farnam it VI his | voted that suitable number be printed he the discretion of the executive committee. sd Judge Harrison moved that committee me five be appointed to further civil service
 form before the Legislature the commit