The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-10-02
CIVIL SERVICE.
George William Curtis Tells How
President Harrison Has
Kept His Pledges.
Promises Made to the People Which
The Head of the Nation Has
Broken.
The Speakers Believe That Despite Ad
verse Criticism the Cause He Cham
pions Is Gaining.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct THE National
Civil Service Reform League met in an
nuaI session here to-day. The following
are extracts from the annual address by
Its president, Hon. George William Curtis.
of New York. The speaker began with
the statement as 20 the explicit pledges OF
the republican platform in the last national
campaign. and 3 reiterstion OF these
pledges by Harrison to preserve and extend
civil service reform in letter and spirit.
The long address is nearly all devoted to
an inquiry as TO whether or not those
pledges have been fulfilled. AS sign
board 10 show in what direction he was go
ing. the speaker pointed out that during the
first FIVE months Of the present admInistra
ton. Assistant Postmaster General Clark
son has removed 1900 fourth class post
masters, OF more than One-fourth of the
entire list He says. "It is not an answer
to say reform is not favored by majority
Of the people, the only way in which the
views OF the majority can be known Is by
the result of an election, and this admins
tration, elected on a platform as distinctly
pledged 10 civil service reform as 10 pro-
tactive tariff Whether OF not II IL the
wish of the ms jJrity IL Is certain that the
chief executive stands sOlemnly pledged TO
it." The speaker then quoted from admin
istratiOn newspapers from various parts OF
the country jeers and words OF contempt
for reform of the civil service; touched
upon the open and adverse declarations OF
significant silence in various recent repuo-
lican gatherings and conventions, and hOds
that eminent members OF the party, ofncial
End otherwise. only spurn such reform and
even in the cabinet, three members decline
70 give an open adherence TO IL. He con
tinued as follows: "While this IL the pub
lie sentiment of the party pledged in all
ordinary methods. what is the executive &C
lion Does that conform 10 the platform
promise, and the presidents pledges? The
knowledge Of every citizsn in his own
community answers, the dsily record OF the
newspapers for seven mon hs answers. The
general political prescription policy, which
President Harrison. when senator, defined
as "a frank and bold, If brutal method OF
turning men and women out simply for
political opinion" the clean sweep, which
ls proceeding in the postotfice, the alarm
which pervafes every brs nch of the service,
the opeu. fRgrant contempt for public
opinion, for private Information and for
party promise. which was shown In the
appointment of The late commissioner Of
pensions. the executive refusal To include
the census service in the rules o. the re-
mnval Of public officers, conspicuOusly
fitted by character and experience, who
have absolutely and cOnfessedly disregard
ed politics in their devotion 70 Office duty
and public service, all these facts and such
es these answer the question. how has the
executive action cOnfOrmed To party prom
ise and the presidents pledge 81
Further along he said: "rhe president
has selected an admirable civil service com
mission. Every worker is a sincere believer
in the necessity aud practicabllity Of re-
form, and It's vigilance and vigor are the
hest earnest of its effective service He
has refused also to extend the time ap-
pointed for including the railway mail ser
vice within the rules. and be has author
lied the publication Of eligible lists. Be-
sides these few executive acts, the signih,
executive course, there is little that shows
any effective party regard for the resounC
ing promises of the platform" The
speaker finds. however, that the reform of
the civil service is making headway in the
sentiment among the people. AS with all
progress worth fighting for the contest is
stubborn and resolute. Delays and defec's
are inevitable. but temporary. the ad-
vance sure