New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-05
PROGRESS OF CIVIL SERVICE REFORA'

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE DURING TWO YEARS
THROUGHOUT THE CoUNTRY-THE LEAVEN
WHICH is LEAyENING THE WHOLE LUMP.
IRON An oCCAsIoSAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE FRibuNsj
BOsrON, Nov. Pin the north end of Penn
heron Square this city the headquarters OF the
Massachusetts Civil Service Reform Association Inc
rooms are up one flight; they face the square ana
are sunny and cheerful. A handsome black and goid
sign outside next to one of the windows, bears the
words Civil Service Reform Association" Although
the association has been in existence less than year
and half having been formed in May, 1851, II mas the
salts seeing that great progress has been made
On its course within that time. During "a visit 10 the
rooms the other day. the official in charge gave
interesting view Of the whole field. 1t is only within
two years that there has been much general IN
tere,t in the reform OF the CNl Service. The New
York association formed before the Massachusetts
association the latter by It's monthly publication OF
The Ciri Seyce Record and other efforts, has come TO
be regarded as the centre OF the reform movement.
North Massachusetts there is little interest i'll the ques
ton so far appears FROM organization among the
people. Down in Bangor society has been formed
within few weeks which has had some help from Bos-
ton in the way Of printed matter but that is the only
visible proof in the three northern states that any one
cares how the Civil Service IS administ red New
Hampshire and Vermont make no sign. Thanks TO The
stimulus of the association here dozen clubs have
been formed in different parts of Massachusetts which
cooperate with the central body. In Rhode Island aud
cu more desire manifested than at the north,
but even the societies IN these states not particularly
efficient IN New-York there Is vigorous organization,
bu there great yeaning for the reform beyond that
city Associations are found in Philadelphia and Bal
timore in the south, and Buffalo is the western
boundary OF the reform far as it has gen
erar support. and Buffalo does not make much
of its club Us it might and ought make. Three spO-
radio ca exist further On,ands in the sea OF the
spos doctrine. These ST. Louis, New Orleans and
san Francisco At St. Louis the reforners not
strong enough to command much attention and find it
difficult 90 procure reports of their public addrs,e,cven
I'm Republican papers At san Francisco the names are
good and strong which the rolls Of the society,
but they represent only small number OF men, mostly
of gland origin whose training and antecederts
make them sympathzc with the The New Or
leans society strong enough yet to count for much
Chcagoi Is regarded the most hopeless place in the
whole country Not only is there favor for the re
form. but positive hostility. Cincinnati Is also looked
upon rs "A black sheep
Perhaps. ia view of tins summing up, the opponents
OF the reform would think that the cause is IL Il
temptple condition But the association Is much Gu
couraged b the developments Of the last few months
Here Massachusetts It is evident to any who has
attended the political rallies that the people ahead of
the politicians this General stewart 1. Wood
forls speech in fremont Temple at the opening rally
for the Republicans In which lie sharply attacked the
spois system said things which OF the gentle
men the platform and some of the Republican papers
disapprOyed, was hplla'ded most IN ti0se passages
which denounced severely Republican shOrtcOm-
ipgs The Democrats have put civil Service Reform in
their platform and though they may believe in it
much themselves, yet their demands for that reform
somehow 90 10 the applausc-spot of their listeners
minds quicker than an! tmng else they say II Is IN
popular here to sneer in public at the reform. aud
man who wants elective office would dare 10 do
strong of the bad policy and iOoshncss OF the
present civil Service system evidently prevails among
The people They ahead Of their nominal leaders
and unless there is instant realizing of hi, in
81 circles some budding statesmen may DC left at home
In other States is the fact that associations are
hey 10
reform lie hckerng extinction, which they herald
All the reform movement OF note is now limited TO an
north or Baltimore and cast OF BunalO, but II Is
spreading and this gain has been made IN about two
years About e-quarter Of the country,-as marked
the population maps OF the CensuS,ls already 30
much affected by the agitation that local organizations
have been formed 10 aid in The demand for change
Slnce so much has been douc in 50 short time there i,
solid announcement for widespread and persistent
work The Massachusetts, association includes members
Of all political parties and formally declines 10 take
yfdnal members do the association keeps out of
partisan elections, except that IL opposes the election OF
men vino hostile To The cause II represents For IN
stance there Is an independent movement III the Ath
congressional District for the defeat OF Mr. Gambler
the present member from the 0d With ana Ienomi-
unted by the Republicans. Colonel Theodore Lyman, |
as stauuch any IN the state has been
noinnsted by the Independent Republicans. VINO have
I'm Gamblers support OF tlyi service Reform ana
III nomination Yas unanimously Endorsed by the Dem
Dcratic convention. Headquarters have been taken III
perobert0n Square and IL is all 10 the dscedt Of
nIer the Civil Service Reform Association, but
ather something I'm his favor that he supports Colonel
lyman though the association itself taxes no step
the matter lis work i IN the circulation of own ser
ice literature, ia procuring public addresses, ana Ia
Olng whatever II can 10 educate public sentiment II |
as addressed letters 10 a the Massachusetts candidates
or Congress and has been answered III VIII certainly
cen M m. cxtcuce until bill is passed By Con
Tess and perhaps afterward 10 that the law en-
creed rs members include the strongest Republicans
the city aud state it, number Is nearly five hundred,
nd IL Is n dead earnest IA what II undertakes.
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