The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-08-06

spoils administration from which reform has
nothing to hope, But test the executive by its
course IN the City OF New York and see if it indi
Gates more or less regard for reform than any adj
ministration, Whig Democratic or Republican,
si scG tne spoIls system pegah IN tiat elIy from
have been held to be peculiarly the spoils of the
successful party in the election. But in strict ac-
c0rdance with his views often repeated the Pres
ldent had disTegarded the evil traditions. He has
reapp0lnted the admirable Republican postmaS
ter, thus retaining every meritorious subordinate
in that vast office and lifting it out of politics. He
has selected for collector the term of the late col
lector having expired, a Democrat who is a busi-
ness man unknown as a politician, and who says
frankly that he has no time tor politics and that
he IS pledged to conduct the custom house upon
purely business principles. He has restored to
the naval ONCE Republican and practical civil
Servlc reformer, to whom the cause both in the
State of New York and the country is greatly in
debted and whom Republican President de-
cllned to reappOint at the close of his term. He
has promoted to the appraisership a deputy ap-
pralser who has been for many years in the ser
wee, who Is confessedly a thorough expert and
master of the busidess, Democrat wholly un-
known as politician; and to the surveyorShip a
Democrat who declares, his sympathy with re-
form and who will be judged, as he undoubtedly
would wish to be judged by fidelity to his declar-
alton.
At the conclusion of the address the mem
bers OF the league adjourned to the Charming
Parlor where business meeting was held.
Geo. VIM. Curtis was reelected president.
Mr.. Curtis returned thanks saying he came
once more as mendicant and pleading for
indulgence. The Treasurer's report was
read, which showed that there was larger
balance on hand than usual. Secretary Potts
made an eXtempore report, which showed
the league to be in fiouriShing condition.
There are at present sixty associations which
are doing excellent work
After presentation of the reports of the
various associations the committee on reso-
lutions presented the following which were
adopted:
Resolved, That under Republican government
like ours employment in those positions in the
civil service the duties of which are administra-
tive and not political ought to be open on equal
terms to every citizen whose fitness shall have
been aseertained by appropriate examination and
Resolved, That blythe general course of his ex-
ecutlye action i'll regard to appointments and re-
movalS ana Notwithstanding certain acts OF the
administration which, measured by the principles
OF reform we disapproye, President Cleveland
has proved amid immense perplexities and diff
culties in his fidelity to the patriotic principles
serted his letter of the 25h of December, 1884, to
the executive committee Of this league and his
frmness and courage in enforcing his convictions
Resolved, That the National Civil Service Re-
form League reaffirm its resolution in regard to
the repeal Of laws known as the four years laws
and urges every local association and pledges it
self to efforts to secure result so desirable for
complete reform of the abuses of executive pat
r0nage.
Resolved, That the reformed system of appoint
mentS in the civil service established by the act of
January 16, 1888, should be extended to all of
the offices and employments under the govern
ment to which is applicable as fast and as far
practicable to the end Of the complete removal of
the lingering relics of a monarchical and aristo-
cratic abuse known as Sthe spoils system which
obstructs the daily discharge of duty in every de-
partment Of the government degrades American
politics and disgraces the American name.
Resolved, That we regard the recognition by
the administration of offensive partisanship ;
that is to say, obtrusive partisan conduct of a
office.
Resolved, That the friends of civil service re-
form form nave the utmost reason to congratulate
gress of the cause as shown in the universal pub
lie attention which is now directed to the action
OF the administration in regard to appointments
and removals, and in the high standard of the
soAAd principle upon the subject by which that
action is judged
The meeting adjourned after transacting rou-
tine business.