Morning journal and courier., 1885-09-03
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Some Pertinent Points Made by the
 Hon. Lynde Harrison.

Gentlemen-Prior to the presidential cam paign of 1884 you were reputed to be mem bers of the Republican party. On some oc- casions you had taken active part for the promotion of it's success. Doubtless you be- lieved in the principles of that party as de- olared from 1860 to 1880. In all of it's re- cent platform it has declared itself in favor of the principle of civil service reform For many years the Federal administration had reappointed faithful officials upon the expi- ration of their terms of service From year to year the efficiency of the civil service had been improving. The civil service reform law had been passed by a Republican Con- gress and enforced by a Republican Presi- dent. do not propose to discuss with you in this letter either the advantages or the propriety of that law, nor the principles upon which it is founded. For my present purpose it is sufficient to recall the position of the Republican party on the subject, and to remind you that you have all been more or less active members of the New Haven Civil Service Reform association. Last year you allied yourselves with the Democratic party and openly advocated the election of the Democratic candidate for the presidency. You were the leaders of few hundred gen tlemen in this State who had formerly acted with the Republican party. The small ma jority obtained for the Democratic electoral ticket in the State of New York would have been reversed, notwithstanding the defec- tion of part of the stalwarss, the loss of the Prohibition vote and the fatal speech nf har6 men in New York State who held similar views with you had not abandoned the party with which they formerly acted
 It would interest many of your old friends in the Republican party to know whether your alliance with the Democratic party was temporary or is to be permanent. I believe that your professions of regard for the principle of civil service reform are sin eere. Many people have been led to think that you regard that principle as the most important issue before the American peo pie at the present time. 1t has been mo- ticed by many citizens who believe in this reform that recent removals of some subor- diuate Federal officials have called forth hostile criticism from some journals that supported the Democratic party in the last campaign. It is not my purpose in this letter to criticise any removals or changes that have been made by the postmaster of New Haven, the collector of internal reve nue for this district, by other Federal officials in this State. I have been sur prised, however, to observe that while these changes have been severely criticised, but little if anything has been said concerning the action of the present Federal admins tration in removing the heads of the i'm portant Federal offices in this State. If these changes had not been made the su- bordinate removals would not have followed.
 do not propose to discuss the fitness of the prominent Connecticut gentlemen who have been appointed to important Federal offices by the present administration. No one who knows them doubts the capacity and integrity of Messrs. English, Byxbee, Troup, Chapman, Waller and Russell. else the policy of the President in the ap- pointment of these active members of the Democratic party to positions of honor and responsibility.
 But do wish to ask you if by the remo- val of Messrs. Sperry, Beers, Selden, Dickin- son, Merritt and Packard, or by the failure to recommission them, the Democratic admin istration has not dealt deadly blow to the cause of civil service reform?
 This is a cause which I know to be most dear to your hearts.
 It will not do to criticise the removal of tide walters, gaugers and letter carriers for politi- cal reasons and fail to condemn the authorities at Washington when the spirit and purpose of civil service reform are not observed in executive appointments.
 Is it honest civil service reform to remove MT. Sperry from the postoffice at New Ha- ven, MT. Beers from the collectorship of this port, Colonel Selden from the internal reve- nue department, General Dickinson from the postoffce at Hartford, General Merritt from the consular office at London and Governor Packard from Liverpools
 These gentlemen held purely ministerial offices. It has never been claimed that their political opinions ever had affected in any manner the faithful performance of their duties.
 Many of these gentlemen by long experi- ence were exceptionally well qualified for the important public trusts held by them. I never heard of any charges against their ef- fciency or honesty.
 Should not the New Haven Civil Service Reform association take some action upon the removal of these gentlemena
 Do you believe if the Republican party had been continued in power these changes would have been made?
 Do you believe the recent changes in cer- tain subordinate places would have occurred if the gentlemen have named had been con tinued in office by the present administra- tiona In the light of the experience of the last six months is the Democratic party to be trusted with the cause of civil service re- form?
 We have a legislature to elect in this State this fall. Do you not feel willing to return to the Republican party and by your votes in November hasten the restoration of Republi- canism at Washington?
 A very important election occurs in New York in two months.
 Some, if not all of you, are reported in the public prints to have been, since the last election, in conference with your friends in New York. Can you not advise those of that State who sympathized with you last fall that the cause of civil service reform will be promoted by loyal support of the Re publican candidate for Governor of New York; Very respectfully yours,
 LYNDE HARRISON,
 Chairman Republican State Central Com.
 New Haven, Conn.,, Sept. 2, 1885.
 An Independent Cat.
 From the Westchester Village Record.1
 Mrs. Anna Allison, residing at the Willow Glen mills, Pennsbury township, is the owner of black cat that has acquired the