The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-08-12
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
Fourth Annual Meeting Of the National League
Civil Service Association.
George william, Curtis Delivers the annual
Address-The Chicago Democratic Plat
form Not Civil Service Document in
the Sense Reid by the Leagne.

KIN tU
NEwPoRT, i. l., August 5..The fourth an
nual meeting of the National League Civil
Service Association was opened this morning
IL the Claiming Memorial Church. Some
fifty to seventy-five members were present 1
from all parts of the country. There was a
good attendance of the public and a large
sprinkling of ladies. Among the more prom
inent members present were George William
Curtis, the President; William Potts, Secre-
taryi Everett r. Wheeler; Colonel Silas w.
Burt, naval officer of New York; G. o.
Graves, Chief of the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing, and Carl Schurz, of New York
At II 80 a. m. Mr.. Curtis was introduced and
delivered the annual address. He was fire.
quently interrupted by applause.
In the course of his remarks he made the
following statements regarding the Chicago
Democratic platform and President Cleve-
lands position. He said
Democratic party, which nominated Mr.
Presidency. carefully avoi led
1 skinr reio for an ssi IN any otns. sense ''@
that OF universal change of the officers az g.
plOyes OF the Government, and nowhere lh ths
Democratic campaign was reform discussed or de-
uanded IN the sense IN which the WORD y ull les-
stood by the League. Inc rres aent, thereiore,
the candidate OF party which seriously de
sired il promised il. But his cQpyictio~S r-ld
-pf"'~. ON .. -" we " ?. We're familiar 20
the eountrv and il was because OF them that he
was nominated Undoubtedly Mr.. Cleveland was
nominated and elected, not because his party de-
sired reform. but because OF all prominent pub
lie men in the country he had the conviction and
the courage OF a civil service reformer In the
political situation of last year that consldentIOn
breed him as q candidate upon q re-
lncfant party and If ne had rot been
identified with reform he would not to-
day be President. The vote which held the balance
OF power between the parties was the reform vote,
and without that he could not have been elected.
His probable conduct as President was 70 be IN
compelled his nomination; from his official ae-
ton as Governor OF New York; from his public
declarations and from his character. To many
friends of reform these were all full of encourage
ment. But many Others who did not doubt his
conviction OF his courage, or his purpose had the
thafparty pressure for spOilS which no President.
Wing. Democrat or Republican, has been able to
resist and which. in the light of experience AMI
the actual situation last year, seemed to many Re-
party an agency OF reform; and still other
friends Of reform regarded his declarations as u1-
meaning political reflections, an did not care to
inquire into his official fidelity 20 the reform law.
After the conclusion of Mr. Curtis address,
the members of the League adjourned TO the
Claiming parlOrs, where business meeting
was held. George William Curtis was elected
President The Treasurer's report was read,
ard showed that there was a larger balance
on hand than usual. Secretary Potts made
a report which showed the League was ia a
fouTishing condition. He said there were
at present cixty associations. Which we're do
ing excellent work. Reports of associations
We're then presented.