The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-06
THE CIVIL-SERVICE LEAGUE.
Address Of George W. Curtis Before the
Annual Meeting at Newport.
Mr. Higgins and the Attorney General
Thought Trife Discouraging, Buta
Final Triumph Predicted.

NEWPORT, R. l., Aug, 5-The fourth annual
meeting of the National League Civilservice
Association was opened this morning in the
Claiming Memorial Church. Some fifty to
seventy-fve members were present from all
parts of the country. There was good attend
ance Of the public and large sprnkling of
ladies. Among the more prominent members
present were George William Curtis, the presi-
dent; William Potts, secretary; Everett p.
Wheeler, Colonel Silas ". Burt, naval officer Of
New York; G. 0. Graves, chief of the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing, and Carl Schurz, of
New York. At 1l:30 A. NJ. Mr.. Curtis was intro
duced and delivered the annual address. He
was frequently interrupted by applause
Mr. Curtis first stated that civil-service reform
was only in its trial state; that it had not been
adopted by either Of the political parties as a
distinctive party issue, though he admitted that
there was much more general and decided
reform sentiment prevailing among Republicans
than among Democrats He maintained that
the late presidential campaign did not turn,upon
this issue of reform of the civil service and
declared the Civilservice Reform Leagus and
the local associations Of which it is
composed took no part whatever in
the controversy. He said that Undoubtedly
Mr. Cleveland was nominated and elected, not
because his party desired reform, but, because of
all prominent public men in the country, he had
the conviction and the courage of civil-service
reformer In the political situation of last year
that consideration forced him as a candidate
upon reluctant party and if he had not been
identified with reform he would not today be
President" Mr.. Cleveland may we'll feel that
he holds his commission from power above and
beyond his party. The speaker then turned to
consider the progress made in the reform of the
civil service during the five months Of Mr.. Cleve-
lands administration, and found much TO COM
mend. In this connection he said:
But under the administration also there have
been violations Of sound principles, serious mis-
takes and Inconsistencies, unwiSe appointments,
and equally unwise removals. These, however,
are not necessarily proofs of treachery of hos
tility. During the late Republican adminstra-
ton and after the passage Of the reform bill
there were constantly acts which were absolutely
inconsistent with its spirit and principles, But
it would be folly for that reason to charge DELHI
crate bad faith upon the Republican President
OR to allege that reform was wholly disregarded
under his administration. When therefore, we
are considering what has been gained for reform
upon the whole, what progress has been made
While as yet neither party is truly reform
party the word Higgins is by no means CON
elusive remark The Higgins appointment, in
deed, was a signal illustration OF the abuse that
we would correct. 1t was the appointment Of q
person publicly and responSlbly accused OF dis
which, if there be one, is not known, and an ap-
pontment made mainly at the request OF a
senator, a request which is in itself a gross
otfense, and which experience and reason show
to be made presumably for personal, and not
for public purpose, a practice which promotes
the most fragrant corruption. This is the Hig-
gins case, and | know no satisfactory explanation
of it, 1t is the ordinary case under the spells
system, yet 1t is now made the occasion of espe-
cal and continuous remark If, however, it
illustrated of 10
administration it would not be singular Ger
talnly the severest censOrS would not assert that
the Higgins appointment is of a kind unparal-
leled under other administrations and to allege
that it is peculiarly offensive under Democratic
ascendency is TO conce2e what is, of course, not
intended that more is to be expected from a
Democratic than from Republican executive
But the instance Of Higgins, and the whole
Higgins school of appointments, although abso-
lutely inconsistent with the reformed system, DO
not prove recreancy to reform much as the
infinitely more significant and more important
instances of Pearson, Graves, Burt, and Others
prove fidelity to reform"
But the appointment of Higgins and Others
while displeasing to Mr. Curtis was not regarded
as fair test Of the temper and spirit of the
administration. He contrasted the action of the
President In his appointment of a collector for
the port Of New York with that of President
Garfield in the appointment Of Mr.. Robertson to
the same Office, greatly to the credit, in his
opinion, CT the former The speaker also ap-
proved the removal of the other customs officers
at New York in the midst of their terms because
although honest and capable, they were parti-
sans
Referring to the clean sweep mado by the
Attorney general in the Claims Bureau of his
office, Mr. Curtis said:
THE Claims Bureau employs an assistant
attorney general and six assistant attorneys.
Their duty is the defense OF suits brought against
the United States in the Court of Claims. 1t is
asserted without contradiction that these officers
are swept out in one day-Republicans, Demo
Gratis and non partlsans alike, for they were Of
every political mpathy-swept out without
personal or official reasons alleged. Experienced
officers were summarily replaced by ineXpe
rienced, and all was done not for official reasons,
but in Difference to a demand Of senators and
representatives in Congress, and to make place
for dependents selected by them.
IF this uncontradicted report be true, there
could be no more fragrant illustration Of the
shameful wrong Of the spells system than this
submission Of branch of the executive depart
ment of the government to the dictation of mem
bers of the legislative department. The inter
ference of senators and representatives with
nominations and minor appointments in the
civil service is not only without constitutional
warrant but 1t is an indecent and dangerous
confusion Of two functions which the constitu
ton carefully keeps distinct The senator
or representative who makes himself
an Office broker, to pay his own
parasites from the public purse, should stand
"cit0ApOoSU III uliO PilOiy u puO4lC COul6ulpt;
and, by reason Of such interference, should for
felt the respect of his country and the confidence
and support Of his constituency The law which
already prohibits this dictation and interference
in all cases included in the classified service
should be amended and strngently prohibit
them in all cases whatever. Such interference
is the peculiar peril of the administration. And
if the course pursued in the Claims Bureau
should unhappily become the general policy, un
doubtedly the whole force of the civilservice re-
form sentiment of the country would be strongly
arrayed against the administration
Mr.. Curtis pointed out the desirability of sub
stituting for the four years tenure of Office one
depending upon honesty and efficiency. Con
tinuing he said:
Undoubtedly we are soon to encounter the
most resolute, shrewd and deliberately organized
assault upon the reformed system. The profes
sional politicians in both parties, whom the
spells despotism has produced, are thoroughly
aroused. and they will not ralinnuish il and the