St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-08-10
George William Curtis OH the
Civil Service.
THE PRESIDENTS ATTITUDE IN THE RE-
FORM.

THE PRESIDENTS ATTITUDE IN THE RE
FORM.
At the meeting of the Civil Service
| Reform league at Providence, Il. l..
George William Curtis was unanimous
ly reelected president. In his address
he opened with review of the efforts
to secure the passage of the civil ser
vice reform bill and said the record of
the House upon the subject last sum
mer was one of the most disgraceful
passages i'll the history of Congress,
but the issue was plainly made and the
appeal taken at the polls. The result
of the election was startling and i'm
preSSive. 1t was the clear and decisive
demand of the country for civil service
reform. The response of Congress was
immediate, and never was the tieXibil-
ity of the popular system more signal
ly displayed. On December / the pres
ident sent in his message. He frankly
urged the passage of the Pendleton bill
or some equally effective measure, and
promised hearty cooperation in en-
forcing it. The speaker referred to
the speedy introduction of bills by
KassOn, Herbert and others ana Il res =
olutiOu by IIiscock to facilitate the
range of the general reform bill, but
the history of the year disclosed other
striking results of public interest in the
subject. He instanced the case of Gen
cral Curtis and the interest of state leg
islators in the matter. The passage of
IL reform bill by the New York legisla-
ture was an event second only in i'm
/ f., Of ln
bill by Congress. 1t was in the state
of New York that under the council of
appointment the spoils system was
adopted. Nearly Il century ago, it was
! a politician of New York who gave it
it's first organized impulse. 1t was in
response to Henry CIay's taunt ut the
! New York system that II New York
senator made the famous defence that
to the victor belong the spOils of his
enemy. 1t is in New York that the
evils and the perils of the dishOnOr
corruption and degradation Of the sys-
TEN have been most fully displayed
and it was i'll New York also that the
first vigorous, resolute and unquailing
opposition to the evil system was or
ganized. 1t was the most fitting there.
fore that the chief of sinners among tn,
states should lead the van of reform
For political reform what is possible il
New York is practicable everywhere il
the country.
During the year, said Mr. Curtis, til,
attitude of the national executive to
ward the reform has been upon til,
whole, and Notwithstanding certain in
cOnsistencies of conduct, one of friend
ly observation. The efficiency of TIL,
Pendleton bill depended ut the begin
ming wholly upon the good faith of th'
president. Had he desired to discredi
and defeat its purpose he had only t.
appoint an unfriendly commission. bu
the selection as the first named com
missioner of one of the ablest, SINGER
est and most devoted friends of reform
DOrman B. Eaton of New York, an,
the association with him of DR.. Gregg
~ of Illinois and Judge Thoman o
Ohio was conclusive evidence of tn
presidents desire to give the reformed
system fair play. This is the more sig
nificant because of the presidents pre-
vious course, and his faith in the spoil
system as essential to effective part
organization excited great apprehen
sion that he would use his vast patron
age i'll Il manner to confirm aud aggra
vate the evils of that system, but thi
apprehension has not been justified
In certain instances indeed and espe
cially in the removal of the late navG
officer of New York, one of the most et
ficient and experienced officers in til
public service, there was fragrant dis
regard of the essential principles of re
e form, but the ingenious manner i
: which this disregard was veiled in a
: apparent desire to promote the inter
d ests of reform was in itself evidence
! the presidents consciousness of til
d public expectation that tried and capa
}. ble officers shall not be removed unde
: the plea of the expiration of the
e terms, but on the other hand the pres
dents steady refusal to satisfy the fac
ton of his party which demands tn;
- the public patronage shall be prost
tuted to factiOnal interest is most hOI
orable to the chief magistrate, an,
whatever exception may be justly tai
j, en- To many acts of the administratiC
i'll regard to appointments and reno,
ais it will not be denied by fair men
every party that the president, who's
accession by means of most tragic
event was generally regarded as a s.
Z. rious misfortune if not a calamity, hi
n not only allayed all apprehension
1 gross misuse of the patronage of Il
; government but by his pacific and ten
- perate administration has gained ii
general approval of the country.
The passage of the PendletOn b
- and the state bill of New York, the a
pointment of commissioners and the
5 devotion to duty, the opinion of the 5
preme court and prohibition of polit
cal assessments with the general pu
r lie interest on the subject of reform a
= all incentives to continued effort. II
II " Pendleton bill prescribes methO
= of lnnni nj In..nf To certain Glasses of Ii