Morning journal and courier., 1882-08-03
NEW ENGLAND.
Rhode Island.

The Civil Service Reform Convention.
NEWPORT, Aug. 2.-The attendance at the
National Civil Service Reform association to-
day was unusually large. Among the dele
gates present were George William Curtis,
Carl Schurz, Dorman B. Eaton Everett P.
Wheeler, John Jay, Charles Collins, George
Haven Putnam, William Cary Sanger, Will
liam Potts, Henry H. Hitchcock, Judge w.
w. Howe, Sherman S. Rogers, Silas w. Burt,
Frederick Cromwell, J. w. Comstock, Thorn
as S. Moore, w. W. Montgomery, Charles
Theodore Russell, Charles Russell, jr., j. S.
Moore, Morrill, Wyman, James r. Reed, Ar
thur Hobart Bancroft, G. Davis, Josiah
Quincy, jr., Ira Bursley and Edward D. Rob-
bins. At 10 O'Clock the general and execu-
tive committee held session with closed
doors, for the purpose of laying out a plan
for the days meeting. After the executive
session Mr.. G. w. Curtis delivered thought
full and scholarly address, which was a severe
arraignment of President Arthur for the re-
moval Of competent officers. Fifty per cent.
of the oficeholders whose terms expired dur
ing President Arthur's administration had
been dismissed. The Presidents course
reform. He frequently spoke of the ''Pres-
ident's party - appropriations for civil SER
vice reform and the heavy and needless
appropriations for other purposes were sar-
castically referred to. He hoped that every
candidate for Congress would be obliged
to show his hand on civil service reform
before election. The conviction of General
Curtiss for collecting political assessments
was referred to to show the association was
making progress. Jay Hubbelrs attempt to
collect assessments and the connection occa-
stoned by his circular was listened to with
close attention. Hubbell ''bulldozing" was
severely dwelt upon and it evident that
the speakers remarks were appreciated. The
collection of assessm ents for political purposes
was denounced in unmistakable language
1t was not voluntary" contribution asked
1t was simply a threat that if they did not
pay they would lose their situation. No one
dared collect two and a half per cent. of
the salary of naval or army officers. 1t
was claimed by Hubbell and the ''Presi-
dents party" that none had been
removed, but he knew that removals had
been and were being made for no other rea-
son than that their places were wanted for
others, who were willing to cordially support
the machine" Now in view of the expense
of an election only rich men were asked to
stand for Office, and simply because they were
Wiling TO contribute IOr nOnOF CONFER
red upon them. Tho tyranny of politi-
cal assessments, the "bulldozing" of
government employees, with families de.
pending upon them for support, were dweit
upon at length and severely condemned.
Civil service reform work in Pennsylvania
was referred to, and the record of the party
in that State was brought out to advantage.
A reform that could divide State was fire
that would spread all over the land. 1t
would shake the mountains, and if it threat
ened q party in one State it would do the
same in all States. The bosses in the Key
stone State had been called to halt. Political
history was ready to show that no one party
was able to stand against the wishes of the
masses. The movement in Pennsylvania was
such that if not needed by the parties it
would yet construct parties.
At the afternoon session George William
Curtis, of New York. was re. elected presi-
dent. Resolutions were adopted pledging
| the association to support only candidates for
Congress who give guarantees of sincerity in
the support of reform, to prosecute persons
| levying assessments, requesting the National
Executive to reissue the order of Daniel
Webster denouncing partisan of political
position. The convention adjourned sine die