St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-09


called. and notably its chairman, have been
traduced, villifed and opposed in a manner
utterly without justification [Applausel. As
this is country Of free speech and free pens
it is natural that little dissentions will man
ifest themselves from time to time. As an
example of the utility of these clubs / will
cite an instance within my personal obser-
| vstion. In 1867 against my will the Ohio
Democracy nominated me for governor. In
1856 the Republican majority in this state
was 4S600 and as 1t looked like
| almost hopeless task to elect a Democratic
governor the nomination went begging, aud
was thrust upon me. That year we organized
the state into Democratic clubs, and at the
April election we had an almost unbroken
series of Democratic triumphs, and from
which we gathered inspiration for the fall
election, which we carried By about 90, 600.
Would I not be ungrateful If did not bear
witness to the efficient work done by those
| clubsi But some one may say. why keep up
the clubs since Cleveland is elected, and viii
be inaugursted. We are told that ''eternal
vigilance is the price OF liberty.'' AS well
tell the churches to lock their doors aud wait
for some great advent OF sin before
they open them again as to tell the Demo
cratic party to disband and go to bed and
wait till the burglars are breaking in before
! you organize. The Democratic party Is not
through its laburs. 1t has elected its presi-
dent. but he needs the cheering appreciation
and constant support OF all his party to per-
| form the duties of his Office. Another
reason for keeping up the organization is the
fact that Ohio ought to be Democratic
| state. We have been under the harrow long
enough. We have got from under II now
and you might let US see that we keep from
under it. We can do it il We but frowu
down dissension and stand by Democratic
principles. Organize everywhere, and
make Ohio what she should be, the
banner Democratic state of the west,
Applause Those who know me know
never make long speech, and furthermore.
they viii never hear me make long speech.
We have many men of distinction here, and
it would be improper for me, residing here
in Columbus, to soridge them of the time
that belongs to them. Applause.
Judge L. n. Thoman, of the civil service
commission, was next introduced and spoke
substantially as follows:
1t is great honor TO be requested to speak
to the Democrats Of Ohio upon the sentiment
''civiI service REFORM" aud especially so
since great Democratic viclory uas ueen
won By Cleveland, whose position on this
question was so we'll understood. The abuses
under the system had grown so rapidly
and were becoming so rottrd that public Off
ces were no longer regarded aspublic trusts
but as rewards in the hands d desgnin :
politicians. After the assassination OF Gar
tieid By a persistent Office seeker, public SEN
timent became so aroused that congress,
needing this popular demand, passed the
present civil service law. Gross misrepre-
sentation has been made coucerning this
law, in claiming that Il Is intended TO keep
the Republicans in office. Tnere is no pro-
vision in the aw or rules prohibiting the re-
moval Of all the employees in one year, month
or day. a life time would be iniefensible
The law provides for entry into the classified
service, aud not removal there
from. This classified service embraces
ali employees receiving salary Of from S720
70 II, 500 in the departments, and no one
can be appointed TO enter this service until he
passed Il competitive examination. Many
persons have been msled surprising that this
examination could be passed only by col
legiate. In refutation OF this / need only
cite the fact that sixty-hve per cent OF those
who have passed have had only a common
school education. II is an examin alton such
as business man would require OF an appii-
can't TO pass before he should enter his estab-
ishment. Such qualifications as a business
man would require Of an employe In
h nriv' te business the government should
certainly require for the transaction o!
puU,ie business. Saail the subordinate en-
! ployes be selected on account Of political cou
siderationsl II we have an interest in the
| business OF the government, then the best
test should be applied 10 the applicants.
which is not q poLtIcal one. President elect
| Cleveland has spoken very plainly on this
| question, and his utterances cannot be mis-
understood.
Here Judge Thoman quoted at length from
| Gov. Ceveland's letter OF acceptance as gov
eruOr of New York. and letter in answer TO
one written him on this subject, bearing the
date Of Oct 2S. 1882, aud bis letter accepting
the nomination for the presidency. He then
| continued:
| II is mistaken idea that the business OF
the government belongs TO the party in
power. II belongs TO the people, and they
demand that 1t be administered for the best
interest OF all, and that the public servants
be honest. competent faithful aud eco
nomical. Is II the province Of political or
gsnizations 10 exist simply 10 disburse OF
dispense patronage! II that be so, then ia c
I
that political party. Much is said OF the
Jacksonian principle "to the victors belong
the spoils, anu that that do, time should be
ada, red to. But it seems to me that II the
old advocates Of that principle could
have seen It's present evil effects
| they would have been content with
the Jeffersonian test: ''Is be honest, Is he
competent, is be faithful to the constitution 20
The present law Ia the first step to q reform,
and puts subordinate places outside OF polit-
ical tests or party fealty aud substitutes a
system Of "nerir' instead Of q system OF
"fayoriteism." II has brought to the public
service in the last eighteen months more
than 1000 persons who owe their appoint
msnt TO nothing but their own merit The
/ letter Of Mr.. Cleveland 10 Geo. Wm. Curtis
again shows the wisdom, caudor and SIN
| cerity with which be looks upon the impor-
lance Of this question, and all friends OF
civil service reform feel assured that there is
to be no step backward ia this matter.
malntai that the business OF the govern
ment should be placed upon the same basis
with private business, and that IL is the duty
Of the government TO select the best men 1t
| can for the salary It pays When these re-
| suits are attained the affairs Of the govern
ment will be conducted with % per cent. less
employees, aud a corresponding reduction in
| the expense. II this is true Of the general
| government It is also true Of the states. It
is 4 fitting time for OHIO to raise herself up
TO the standard Of New York aud Massachu-
seits on this question By the passage Of 8
suitable civil service Law.
At the banquet under the auspices Of the
Jackson club this evening about 400 were
I present aud toAsts we're responded to by
Senator Payne. Governor HOadiy, Judge
Thurman, Congressman Converse, Duroin
Ward, G. d. BSrger, G. z Powell, Allen
I Myers aud others