Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-06
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

What George William Curtis Said
About 1t at the Meeting of the
Civil Service League.
The following are extracts from the
speech of George William Curtis de-
livered at Newport Wednesday at the
annual meeting Of the National Civil
Service Reform League:
When large body Of civil service reformers
| supported MIR. Cleveland for the Presidency,
1t was angrly alleged that reform was be-
traved ami murdered in the house OF its IA SO
friends When ineXpllcable appointments,
and arbitrary removals, and an apparent
want OF ousIstent adherence to principle
! have been pointed out under the present ad-
m nistration. the situation has been described
as q wild saturnalia Of spOlls around the corpse
of reform. Indeed, one thing OF which in
many willing miads there has been no doubt
ever since the reform was born. il tkat reform
is dead. Ii 1t were SO, it would certainly
prove that death loves a shining mark. and he
Is supposed TO be 4 sure marksman. But thi 5
time lac has missed.
PUBLIC OPINION AROUSED.
Public opinion upon this subject was never
so aroused, so enlightened aud 80 de ermiued
The wholesome purpose and sound reason of
! reform we're never 80 generally and so clearly
perceived, and 1t was never SO plainly a prrSs-
ing public question. There was never such a
rafting OF amazement and CONSERVATION
among the dry bones OF Bourbon party pod
tics; never such N hvsterical prolestation
upon the part Of peddlers of patronage that
| the deluge would not be much OF a shower
after all; never such shuddering certainty in
/ toe minds of political money ChAngers thar
the people will presently scOurge them with
wrath cut of The temple OF liberty. Political
assessments, the blackmail imposed by party
freebOOtors upon the employees of the prople
have been in great part suppressed. and have
been permanently stigmatized as dospcab q
Arbitrary rem walls which were the acce pied
! nnQugEflOuou a he Il =
vice have not ceased. indeed, but they are
now instantly challenged and exposed and
there Is q distinct public sense of wrong in
the act, aud a disposition to deal vigorously
the oteuEc. - .
SUPPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATIONS.
ON one side support OF the administration
VIII mean support OF reform; on the other
opposition to the administration will mean
denunciation OF It's inldelitv to reform Tho
Democratic candidate this year need not pro-
test the soundness of his views upon state
Sovereignty and revision OF the tarG. nor
soiemnly affirm his Jencr-onian principles
but he must announce his approval or disap-
PROV al Il the Presidents course a. q 20 def ne
distinctly his position upon reform
The Republican need not diate upol
protection aud gold standard. free ballot
and fair count; but while he Is faithful To
Republican traditions he must declare un-
equivOcaly for appointments by proved
merit, aud in an open and free competition.
Let the Democratic candidate who holds with
Senator Vance that reform Is unconstptu-
tlonal and I'M. Democratic, and consequently
that the President betrays his trust in toler-
aiinR Republicans in the civil service. say
so frankly aud appeal for Judgment. Let
the Republican candidate who holds with
senator Ingalls, that the civil service Is spOiis,
that the spOils belong to the victOrs, aud thai
hepuDlleans ought 10 scorn 10 serve the
country under Democratic administration,
say with equal frankness that the President.
betraYe his PARTY trust " he docs MOI turn out