New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-17
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
LITTER IRON THrRLoH WEED.

A LETTER FROM THCRLOW WEED.
To m Edtt0r o. The Tribune.
SIR: have had the papers read to me this morn-
ing. and an interview with Mr. Bayard,-a
very interesting and important oue.-in which he
shows in references to the Republican defeat. the
good Sense and wisdom of a statesman. | hud
everything to commend till the Senator strikes the
Civil Service question. l agree with him th5 it is
the great political problem OF the country. but no
man has yet arisen showing any capacity to deal
with it. I have not strength lett to say what
would ike TO. II health should be spared to me
and cOald get paper to represent my views, do
believe they could not Tail to open the eyes
of hundreds OF the most patriotic Of our citizens.
The question has run away RON Mr.. George Will
lam Curtis and his associa es. They hoped only to
denoralize and weaken the Republican party IN the
recent election but they have helped to drive IL to
the verge Of ruin.
Our system or government is almost a century
old For between eighty and ninety years the
civil Service Reform which now tewilGers oil
who touch it, was undiscovered. Each party acted
within reasonable bounds upon the spoils sys-
tenn Offices were made the prize Of that partisan
activity and sagacity which so often assume the
form of a high patriotism Four Presidents. Wash
ington Jackson, Grant and Lincoln were rewarded
with two executive terms each consideration of
the important military and civil services they rem
dered to the country. | am most emphatlcaly In
favor Of comforting the Offices OF the country, al
ways modified by circumstances, upon those WHO,
in eminent or in more humble ranks, have rendered
good and patriotic service to their county, ser
vice often rendered through TIE form Of party.
Practically | am better Civil Service retormer
than Mr.. Curtis any Of his followers, as my re-
cord proves. 1t is with no personal object that
make this statement / am forced 10 40 1t to VIM
dicate my position. If time had not taken away my
colleagues, should not need witnesses to prove
what aid to secure the nomination OF Harrison
aid TAYLOR. In the case Of Grant have written
testimony whenever there is occasion to produce
it. Many Governors and several Presidents naTe
voluntarily assigned to me the selection of large
nun bers OF public officers of every degree have
chosen men always for their fitness for the place,
and have usually been able to mud them within the
ranks of those Who had helped my party to power.
But often Democrats bave been Retained because
they seemed 10 be expert and useful, and have
kept a good many Democrats IN Office during the
last forty years because OF their exceptional
efficiency | organized and established through
Governors who yielded to my urgent request the
first non-partlsan commissions ever created tor this
citv-the Police Commission, the Commission on
an Exterior Water Line on the East River, the
Castle Garden Commission, and several others
insisting chat each board shoud be male mp Oh an
equal number Of the members of both parties
| have now exhausted my strength but must
add that another cause of our defeat IS the spas
moa,c Prohibition movement. II promised radical
success In most Of our W-stern states Ibal prom
I,e has been 50 lar realized rs to threaten he
country with two or three years more OF strife ana
dtscord leaving the cause OF temperance weaker
and rumsellers str,nger than they were IN Tue 10
ginning. Worst of all, the RePuOIcan Congress
dTagg j itself slow ~ through long session with
out doing anything to ease the burdens OF the
country Those burdens are nos OnerOus, Out'
vim a large surplus they made TO appear so,
and now il rhe Democratic party does not lose us
head by running into the rec Trade heresy II VIII
haze n, at A disadvantage. Congress must act this
MIR II is within the power CT the present Con
gre,s TO DO much to retrieve the past. IL must act
1fomptly aud vigorously aud wisely, or all Is lost.
clr- York. Nov. II, So. 1AChLo" " LED