The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-08
WHAT, is THIS REFORM {?
THE CIVIL SERVICE ASSOCIATION
REBUKES MR.. HARRISON.
fragrant Violations of Solemn Promises
The Case of Ex-Postmaster Pearson
The President Gets Pointers From
Bishop Potter.

uuy bHu' Inc menDtfb Oh inc OlVll opr-
vice Reform Association held their annual
meeting at the New York Academy of
Medicine, on Thirty-frst street, on We'd
nesday evening. Fresh from the con-
temptation OF the purity OF politics during
the time OF Washington, the gentlemen
who compose the association were in a
particularly happy mood for the meeting.
George William Curtis, the President,
is still confined at his home in Staten
Island with lame leg. He had prepared
his address, however, and it was read by
the secretary.
According TO the custom in previous
years, the address was mainly directed TO
an analysis OF the immediate situation,
and naturally was close review Of tho
action and attitude of the new admins
tration, 30 far as the former Is evident
and the latter has been revealed in what
has become public since the 4th OF March.
In making this analysis Mr.. Curtis con-
fined himself strictly to the Republican
authorities, in the first place as regards
the pledges and promises made before the
administration took Office, and in the sec.
bilA paw ~ W AllN ui1Aoil VI WIN lN1
occurred and the manifestations OF feeling
evoked in party circles thereby
Mr.. Curtis said: "Our inquiry Is sim.
ply, how fully during the first two months
Of the Administration has the President
illustrated what he declared TO be his sin
ccre purpose OF advancing the reform, and
how strictly has the party held him TO an
honorable observance OF its own volun-
~. ~ 81.
Then followed a picture OF what had
been the attitude OF the members OF the
Republican party in Congress and Of mem.
bers Of Congress since the adjournment. 1t
amounted almost to charge that these
gentlemen were grabbing all they could
lay their hands on.
THE CASE OF MR.. PEARSON.
Mr.. Curtis then called attention TO the
extreme importance OF the ease Of the
New York posioilice, which has been for
many years by general consent the exeni-
plar Of what u reformed service should be,
and in tho most unmistaknOle terms con-
demned the action Of the Administration
as false 10 It's pledges, most unjust 10 Mr..
Pearson, and detrimental to the public
service.
'ln review OF the course OF the late
President Cleveland" he said, Tin the
early months OF his Administration Sena-
tor lloar, Of Massachusetts,, said truly,
you cannot serve reform and the Demo.
cratic party Not less true may il
be said OF the course thus far
OF President Harrison: you cannot serve
reform and the Republican machine! The
circumstances attending the death OF Mr..
Pearson, Immediately following his 10.
moyal. were profoundly pllhri His
fatal Illness was undoubtedly stimulated
aud aggravated by his heroic struggle 20
do his official dnty against ircmcndou,
odds His position aud course. honestly
supported by ais superior officers aud en-
Outraged In other offices, would have been
fatal To the yenal politics and the mercen-
AIRY prostitution OF patronage which are
the foundation OF the machine.
''ln lighting him the spolls system was
fighting for It's life. Ills official destruction
was therefore the common cause oi the
machine In both parties. lie stood firmly
for the honest service Of the people, his
opponent for their own selfish power. I'M
sustained by those who meant 10 force him
to retire, doggcd by their cmsslrics, seek
Ing plausiblo prelexts for his removal. ho
resolved, II his life were granted, not 10
yield, and Tor many month he silently
fought the good fight while his life surely
cbbrd away. ThOac who without the re-
probabilities Of office advocate reform
upon what they believe 10 DO sound and
simple principles may he easily condemned
~ sontiinenialisis aud theorists.
Did AT his ror.
"But the man who in great Office,
amid every KIND OF malicious obstruction
aud active hostility, with unquailing stead.
lastneSs aud the sacrifice OF health and
life, demonstrates the practical efficiency
Of those principles, furnishes the living
an rrsistlcsB Argument by which great
causes at last prevail. Dying at his post,
such man Is ~ truly a martyr 10 his
country ~ the hero who falls in battle.
We shall be- indeed unworthy Americans
u a character 80 pure, life ~ spotlcss and
public service ~ great, do not consccraie
MS moro doyolcdly than over 10 tho cause
Tor which lac died.
"ln what have said | have tested the
Administration not only by the principles
OF reform but by the specific declarations
aud pledges Of the party which II repro
scnis. Our association 4 strictly non-par'
isin, and i venture To say on It's behalf
that whatever may be the personal or POI
| litiCal ympathics OF It's members, they
would all have equally rcjoiced II Il could
be said truthlully that the declarations OF
the dominant party were in process OF
faithful iuldllmcnt IL would bc a Vita
orfur. however. 10 suppose that the sltua.
ton indicates profound public indifference
To reform. IL shows only what We hay,
constantly asserted. that neither party a. g
party Is civil service reform party"
AN ACCUSED SYSTEM.
In tho report OF the Executive Commit
tee was this reference 90 Mr.. Pearson:
when 10 these facts We add .tho trdg
cdy Of the removal and death OF Postmas-
ter Pearson, Of New York, n man known
throughout the length and breadth OF th,
land as a devoted public officer, purc and
simple. and ~ the embodiment OF the
best qualities which can be shown 10y an
administrative officer, whose life wa,
crushed ont between the upper and moth
or millstoncs Of partisan politics and
combinations Of selfish interests 9
removal 90 give place to an ap
pointco having no experience what
ever In n business iull OF details and enor
nous IN its extent aud responsibilities
We still feel that We must reserve oul
judgment in regard TO the proportion o
condemnation which should be dccrecd e
individuals, but as honest aud faithful mor
must record anew our pledge to hold C
the strictcst responsibility those who arc
shown TO be- guilty, aud never 10 relax oui
efforts until the accufscd system which 4
now couupling and degrading our country
shall have been wholly cxtrpaicd."
DOOM ron BISHOP rorrRh