The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-30
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
George William Curtis Annual Ad-
dress.


Chickering ball. Everett p. Wheeler pre-
sided. The Hon. George William Curtis
was then introduced.
Following are extracts from the address
OF Mr.. Curtis:
~ think that nobody is more interested
than We are TO know the exact situation of
the reform movement or to state II more
accurately. Last year we told what we be-
heved to be the truth OF the present adj
ministration in regard to reform, as we
have always sought to tell the truth of
every administration, and we were assured
that our meeting was like a funeral feast
But we could safely reply that II the re-
mark were true, then, in the familiar
phrase, II was certainly not our funeral.
Undoubtedly more had been expected OF
this administration than OF any OF its pre-
decessors because OF the frequent and
friendly declarations OF the President, and
because his election by the votes OF those
who were not OF his party authorized an in
dependence Of action which a President
elected solely by the votes OF his
party might feel TO be denied to
him. This anticipation has been largely
disappointed, but the disappointment
must not make us unjust nor unmindful
Of the fact that although the President has
done much and has permitted much that
every friend Of reform must deplorc, yet
he has maintained all that had been gained
in the examinations, he has extended the
range OF the classified service, and he has
revised and strengthened the rules. Cor
tainly this is not all that had been ex-
pected, but the general and intelligent
public regret that he has done no more
shows how strong is the desire OF reform
"Surely il is an immense advance OF the
reform sentiment and another signal illus
tration OF the wholesome state OF the pub
lie mind that last week Democratic Sec
rotary OF the Treasury said in public
speech: But hope TO live TO see the day
when the great majority OF the public
Offices shall he non-political-tha is, when
1t shall not be considered needful 10 party
government and party responsibility that
many changes should be made in the purely
administrative offices. There are many
difficulties in the way Of this that only
time and public opinion can remove; but
/ believe that from the necessities Of the
case they will be removed. My own wish
that as few public Offices as possible should
be in the political category is based not
alone or chiefly on the hope or the belief
that the conduct OF the public business
will be improved thereby, but because
believe that grave cause OF party weak.
ness and decentralization will be removed
and that thereby the public will greatly
gain II party exigencies and interests
on the eve OF a Presidential nomination
make the distractions and difficulties seem
very much more insurmountable 10 the
Secretary than TO us, yet the fact OF such q
declaration from such an officer and gen
tlcman Is one OF the most hopeful signs o
the times.
"The man would be laughed out OF tn,
country who would say seriously that un
der free trade administration II Is neces
sary to the proper operation OF the gov
eminent that lighthouse keepers ant
Indian agents should be free traders, and
that under a protection administration
bookkeepers and messengers should iavo
high tariff. The postoflice is the chic
patronage department Of the government
but there Is no party method OF sortinj
letters, and the only politics Of the railway
mail service are honesty, quickness, accu
racy and self-possession. Politics have n,
more TO do with the business OF the post
Office than with the teaching OF Greek II
Columbia college. Postotiices have be
come the local centers OF public polite
because they have been treated as part,
prizes and not as public trusts; becaus'
postmasters have been taught that they ar
the agents Of a party, not the servants o
the people; and because political officer
have been permitted unrcbukcd TO suborr
them IA spies upon their neighbon.
There Is no moro reason In requiring
postmaster 10 agree with the President o
the United States in political opinion thar
in requiring a railway engineer 10 agre'
with the religious views OF the presidcn
Of the road. The postofiice was cstablishe,
for public convenience. II Is the duty o
the President 10 call into postal servic,
only persons who are III for II In abilit,
and character. and so long rs they are eli
cicnt and faithful Il is his duty in the pub
lie interest 10 retain them and gross pub
lie wrong TO remove them for politica
opinion. II their conduct toward the OIL
Ger In whom the law vests their appoint
ment is scandalous and unseemly. the,
should be percmptorily dismissed, as un
seemly conduct toward all appoint
ing authorities Is punished by dis
missal; aud II such dismissal Should
be said 20 abridge the poltica
rights Of American citizens, Amer
can citizens are quite sensible enough
TO know that unsccmly conduct which
they would not tolerate In their own pri
waite service should not be tolerated In In
public service. But this IL wholly differ
cnt from dismissal for political opinion
from posts which are In no sense political
Such removals Madison declared woul,
Justify impeachment And only bccaus
with all the great constitutional authont,
OF his word he declared such removal q
be an impeachablc oncnsc, and bccaus'
Washington was President, by whom sucl
abuse Of authority was uncomfortable, wa
the power OF removal given by Congress
to the President. But II before the owl
day that we have seen, Madison though
such arbitrary removals Improbable mis-
conduct, what would lac have said had h
seen the whole non-political public ser
vice trampled and secured by the blood
hounds Of MI parties In turn, making pre-.
Of official fidelity, efficiency and expe
ricnce, and saving such ravages are essen
TALLY Americana"
After the mass meeting business meet
ing, with closed doors, was held.