The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-07-29
A MUGwUMP's TESTIMONY.
General Earrison'a Real Sentiments on Civil
Service Eeform.

Service Iseform-
Boston Transcript.
Mr.. Lueius b. Swift, a leading and active
member of the eivil-eervice convention which
has done 80 much good work in Indiana. writes
to a Boston gentleman Is follows;
'ISDLANAPoLIs, July IL. 1sSS.
"My Dear Sir-You ask me about General
Harrison. AS a citizen and as q man, he is held
in the highest esteem His ability as a lawyer
Is beyond question. He is entirely self reliant.
and comes to a legal contest with . steadiness of
nerve and a grasp of the situation that lead TO
great success. His practice is devoid OF cant
and buncombe. Ii is an intellectual treat to
hear him in the management or any stage OF an
important case. He masters a subject with
great rapidly. aud obtains a surprising grasp Of
details. Previous TO entering public life. In
1880, like most lawyers with \ large practice. he
had been closely confined to his profession. be
has not been disposed to go much in advance Of
his party on public questions.
ut seemed proper TO say this before speaking
of General Harrison in relation to civil service
reform. He was elected 10 the Senate In 1850.
As an army officer he had tenaciously insisted
that lis men share in the best rafions. clothing,
aud al that was due them. So. as a Senator, he
zealously took up the business of getting as many
places as possible for his Indiana Republicans.
After one session at Washington. he said at In
dianapolis ia 1852. My brief experience at
Washington has led me often to utter the wish,
with an emphasis that | do not often use, that L
might be forever relieved Of any connection
with the distribution of public patronage In
the same speech he said, Il am an advocate of
civil service reform. I believe the next
session vii; witness the enactment Of a law
which, If il does not c~onsummate, will at
least auspiciousiy begin this REFORM
When the Pepdleton act came up in the Senate
the following January. on it's passage he voted
for IL In 1856 he made a speech in the Senate
attacking Mr.. Clevelsnd's practice Of removal
upon secret charges. and of removal for causes
OF offensive partisanship, which in turn were
recommendations for the new appointee. Gen
eral Harrison was not here setting out his own
view Of civil service reform, but the following
quotation 10 an indication of the bent OF his
mind. Il do lift up q hearty prayer that We may
never have a President who will not either pur-
sue, and compel his Cabinet advisers TO pursue.
the civil-servlce policy pure and simple and upon
q just basis. allowing men accused to be heard.
and deciding against them only upon competent
proof and f~airly-either have that kind Of civil
service. or for Gods sake let us have that other
frank aud bold. if brutal. method of turning
men and women out simply for political opinion
HE was in 1856. and has been ever since in
numerous public utterances, q strong advocate
of taking the benevolent institutions Of Indiana
out OF politics, in the attempt to accomplish
which the lower house OF our Legislature, in
1887. passed a bill commended by the Civil
service Record as one Of the best civil-service
bills yet drawn.
public opinion has steadily grown in this
matter. The criticisms made upon the fedora
civil service during the last three years have
been watched with keen interest Public ex-
ago will not do so now. However, ! do not hest
tate to say with emphasis that If General Har-
rison Is elected the Pendleton act will DO en-
! forced in letter and spirit. Within the scope OF
and with no reference TO party. Enemies Of the
law will have TO part ia It's enforcement. Evas-
ions and tricks with the law will not be tolerated
for an instant. LUCIUs b. SWIFT.