The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-04

A Talk with the President Concerning Civil
Service Reform aud Revenue.
Chicago Interview.
President Arthur was asked if the enforce
ment of the civilservice act had brought him
any relief from the annoyance of ofiice-seel1,
ers and their friends
Since the law went into effect" replied
President Arthur. II have taken no little
pains TO interest myself in its workings. The
matter has been a subject of cabinet CON
sideraton. 1t is found that in the depart
ments the pressure on the several Secretaries
from those having political standing to md
places for those in whom they have an inter-
est has been almost wholly withdrawn. OF
course you will understand that | am al
luding to that class of offices that come
within the purview of the act itself.
The higher grade of offices are eagerly
sought after, and in filling these have no
means of judging of the qualifications of the
applicants except through the representa-
tions of public men, supported by the in
dorsement of prominent people in the more
| retired walks of life"
Then you have escaped the annoyance of
having to recommend applicants for petty
clerkships?"
NO have not. 1t is still the rule and
not the exception for me to listen to those
who make earnest appeals to me to sign let
ters OF recommendation in behalf of some
applicant, and while | have no doubt thew
are worthy, | invariably deny such requests
l have made rule, and | certainly shall not
now depart from it, in view of the civil
service act, not to indorse any application
for place in the departments, nor shall
recommend verbally or orally, anyone for
places of this nature"
The Presidents attention was called to the
platform adopted at the Pennsylvania Dem
ocratic State convention last Wednesday. He
was asked what he thought of that portion
OF 1T advocating the abolition of the
entire internal revenue system of the gov
ment
at is not surprising" replied the Presi-
dent that the State of Pennsylvania should
be in favor of such step. There is no doubt
that Congressman William D. Kelly has done
great deal to secure the adoption of such
plank in the platform, and the
influence of Samuel ]. Randall in favor of
it doubtless had great weight. Pennsylva-
mia realizes that the wiping out of the inter-
nal revenue system would mean the contin-
uation of high protective tariff, so that the
action OF the convention on Wednesday with
reference to this subject is only what we
have been led to expect from intercourse
with Mr. Kelly and Others"
You do not expect conventions in other
States, or either OF the national conventions,
to adopt a similar plank in their platforms?''
mo; do not think such principle will
prevail generally, for some time to come at
least A great many people in this country
and tobacco, believing that they are articles
which are not necessary for the people TO
have, and which they coula well get along
without"
THE same platform also declares against
what is alleged 10 be a Republican measure
namely, dividing the surplus revenue among
the several States"
That is project that has been broached
How much weight it has l am unable to say.
| do not think it can be called a distinctive
Republican measure. Wharton Barker, OF
Philadelphia, seems to have fathered the
movement 1t looks to me as if the general
government would require all the surplus
revenue it would receive after the burdens
of taxation were removed from the people
by modified tariff law and simplifed in
ternal revenue system"
The President in conclusion, chatted
pleasantly about his trip his life in Wash
ington, and coming pleasures in store for
him in the nature OF fishing excursions He
thought little roughng it would be
source of qualification to him instead of PROV
ing burdensome for he had for many Years,
he said, made 1t practice to spend ono
month at least in the woods A greater
portion of the present summer, he said, had
been passed by him at the Soldiers Home a
few miles out of Washington,