The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-08-06
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Fifth Annual Meeting OF the National
League.
George William Curtis Tells What Re-
forms Have Been Effected.

NEWPORT, r. l., Aug 5.-The fourth an
nual meeting Of the National League of the
Civil Service Reform Association was held
this morning in Charming church. Some 80
to 70 members were present from all parts of
the country. The audience contained a large
sprinkling of ladies. Among the more prom
inent members present were George William
Curtis, PRESIDENT William Potts, secretary
Everett p Wheeler, Colonel Silas w. Burt,
naval officer of New York; E. O. Graves,
ing, and Carl Schurz of New York city, the
New York civil service commissioner; Chas.
Theodore Russell, Jr., of Massachusetts, and
Civil Service Commissioner G. VIM. Aiken.
At II. 80 a. m. George William Curtis was in
troduced and delivered the annual address.
AS he stepped to the platform he was greet
ed with applause, and after calling the meet
ing to order at once began his address. He
said: ''The year that ends today marks a
great era in the history of this reform. The
the crisis of change of party contest in the
national government" He then proceeded
to review and compare the history Of the eff
forts of the civil service reformers towards
the realization of their ends Continuing,
Mr.. Curis said:
In both the great parties now there is demand
for civil service REFORM In both parties that pur
pose is trying not merely to frame the profession
action Of the party. God speed the good work!
AS yet however, i repeat, neither the Republican
nor the Democratic party, as such is distinctly
and consistently a civil service reform party. A
Republican may be Of the strictest party ortho-
doxy, and yet despise and dissatisfaction. A
Democrat may be Of unquestionable party stand
ing and yet foam at the mouth at such superhu-
man folly as that of not turning out every Repub-
lcan in office when you have the power. The
test of party principle is the allegiance of every
member of the party, There was never an orig
nal Republican who was not opposed to the ex
tension of slavery. There was never a Jackson
ian Democrat who was not an enemy of the bank
been an indsputable Republican principle
like the restriction OF slavery; nor an aeknowl.
edged Democratic policy, like the overthrow Of
the bank. There is, undoubtedly much more
general and decided reform sentiment among
Republicans than among Democrats. But it is not
yet strong enough to control the action of the
party. The agitation was begun by a Republican
representative, but reform was abandoned by a
Republican Congress: The movement was re-
newed by Democratic Senator, but the Demo-
cratic party in his State refused to re-eect him.
The bill introduced by him became a law in Re-
publicrn Congress. but by the vote both of Demo-
Gratis and Republicans. National reform began
under Republican administration, State and city
reform under a Democratic administration. In
certain details of the service the reformed system
is enforced both by Republican and by Demo-
cratic authority. But had reform been the Re
publican policy, the Republican House of Bepre-
sentatiyeS three years ago would not have laughed
it to scorn. Had it been the Democratic policy,
Democrats would not have Overwhelmingly sus-
tanned every effort to destroy it. Not yet can
either party truly assert that civil service reform
is its peculiar and distinctive policy.
Undoubtedly Mr.. Cleveland was nominated and
elected solely on account of his views and acts on
civil service reform On that account he was forced
upon reluctant party. The President, therefore,
may well feel that he holds his high commission
through the support of the reform sentiment. And
he holds more independent position than any
President since John Quincy Adams. What, then,
is the condition of the reform after this five months
change in the government? The country now rec
OgnZeS the high importanc of the cause, and re-
joices to see President able and willing to lift his
| hand against a 'clean sweep" The interference
of senators and representatives with executive
tion has been signally rebuked. Self constituted
counsellors assuming to speak for the party have
| been totally disregarded. Reasons for removals
| and suspensions, for which party change of the
| executive has been hitherto ample explanation,
| have been frankly stated to the country. Useless
places have been abolished. Satisfactory officers
of the opposition party are serving outtheir terms
/ The chief criticism of the administration by the
| OPPOSITION is the assertion that its action IN ap
| pointmentS and removals sometimes fiagTantly vi
| olates sound principles of reform. The awakened
| intelligence the country watches and judges ev
cry appointment and removal in the light OF these
principles; and best and most promising OF all, the
SpoilS politicians of the administration party who
hate to see the crushing yoke OF q tyrannical syS
tenn lifted from the neck of the independent Amer
| ican who asks to enter the public service upoT
| American principles, by his own proved merits
| and not according to old aristocratic methods b!
yHe hsvoe o. poslcaih eoss csn6 se
date who is tainted with the principle Of reform.
| But under this administration also there hay'
| been violations of sound principles, serious mis-
takes and inconsistencies, unwise appointments
| and equally unwiSe removals. These, however
are not necessarily proofs OF treacnery OF OF nos
| tility. During the late Republican administration
and after the passage of the reform bill there wer
| constantly acts which were absolutely ineOnsiS
tent with its spirit and principles But it would b.
folly for that reason to charge deliberate bat
faith upon the Republican President or to alleg
| that reform was wholly disregarded under his ad
| miniStration. When, therefore, we are consider
ing what has been gained for reform upon th
whole, what progress has been made while as We
neither party is truly reform party, the Wort
Higgins is by no means a conclusive remark
The Higgins appointment; indeed, was sigma
Illustration of the abuse that we would correct
1t was the appointment of a person publicly AM
responsibly accused af disreputable political prac
tees, the explanation of which, if there be one
not known and an appointment made mainly a
the request of senator, a request which is in ii
self gross offence and which experience am
reason show to be made presumably for person
al and not for public purpose, a practice whic
promotes the most fragrant corruption. This i
the Higgins case, and know no satisfactory eX
PLANTATION of it. Undoubtedly, if the Higgins cas-
were fair illustration of the course of the admin
istratfon it would show plainly that it was simpl