The Portland daily press., 1882-11-03
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The Meeting at woodfords Last Evening

The Civil Service Reform Association held
an adjourned meeting at Lewis Hall, Deering,
last evening, President e. H. Elwell presiding.
The committee on constit ition and bylaws
reported a constitution to govern the assoca-
tion, which was accepted and adopted.
1t is, with few verbal changes, the same as
that adopted by the New York Association,
and published in the Putnam pamphlet, enti-
tied Purposes of the Civil Service Reform
Association
committee of three was appointed to Sc
lect the board of officers prov by the con-
stitution.
Mr.. Blackstone stated that lie had cores
ponded with the New York and Cambridge
associations, and a letter was read from the
president of the New York Association, and
ton by President Elwell.
An address was delivered by Mr.. Ridlon,
which was listened to with marked attention,
OF which the following is a digest:
ADDRESS OF MIR. RDLoN.
This is not a new question. More than fifty
years ago Daniel Webster denounced the evils
OF the spoils system. Often since have politi-
cal parties passed high sounding resolutions on
the same subject, only to be forgotten as soon
as election was over. Our first Congress main
taln ed that the constitution gave no right or
power OF removal to the President. Others
maintained that the power was implied and
that the President might remove employees for
cause. BY small majority Congress decided
IN favor OF the existence of the power of re-
moyai, granting it in a case of clear necessity.
Under Jefferson, probably less than twenty 70.
movals were made, but even these excited so
much criticism that he publicly explained the
reasons OF his action in each case The spoils
system came in with Jackson. "TO the victor
belong the spoils" was then first promulgated.
he removed from office more than 1000. And
since that day, with perhaps two exceptions,
the government has been run on the spoils
system, President Arthur's included. The
offices have been distributed as so many przes
among those who belong to the successful par
ty. The result is to make our elections q sell
fish scramble for Office. 1t has been largely
responsible for the corruption and rascalty of
our modern politics. 1t has brought unscru-
lous men to the front and kept the best men in
the rear. Bribery is not uncomn. W. and po-
litical assessments are the direct re. hit of the
spoils system. Cengressmen-I do n 4 mean
those from Maine-claim the right to uistrib-
ute the offices among their conttituents. When
denied, they resign and go home to be endors-
cd. Under the present system, nearly 100000
offices have 10 be distributed among the faith
ful whenever a new administration comes in
power. Thousands swarm to Washington,
claiming an appointment on the ground OF
party iOnlby. LILO tlm0 OIL tQo fTeSlQ0Qt II
wasted for months in finding places for these
political beggars Public sentiment demands
reform. Stalwartism, Bourbonism, nor any
other ism can long resist the tide of public
opinion.
How shall the spoils system be met and over
come? We answer, by law. We must look to
our lawyers for proper legislation to remove
this evil Already steps have been taken. Two
bills are now pending in Congress-the PEN
dleton and the Dawes bill--either of which. if
passed, would afford relief. Neither Of these
bills are likely to become law, for the senti-
ment ol the present Congress is against them.
Not till public sentiment shall demand legisa-
tlon on this subject can we hope for reform.
Agitation, discussion and organization are the
only means we have of reaching Congress on
this subject. For these reasons you have as
sembled to night We welcome recruits from
all parties. Let us do our part in common
with other associations, to place our civil SER
vice on higher and better foundation.
The thanks of the association was rendered
to Mr.. Ridlon for his admirable address.
Interesting remarks in reference to civil SER
vice reform were made by President Elwell.,
The subject for discussion next meeting will
be the Pendletoo and Dawes bills. Mr.. El-
well was invited to open the discussion, and
the meeting then adjourned to Thursday,
Nov. 10th,