Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-03
MORE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Papers Read Before the National
League Yesterday.

phia yesterday, after the discussion Of the res
olutions presented by Sherman Rogers, which
were published in The STAR, Mr.. Everett P.
Wheeler presented series Of resolutions ad-
vocating the appointment Of q special agent at
Washington and of missionaries to 60 about
the country with the object Of establishing as
| sociations and thereby disseminating the prin-
ciples of civil service reform. The proposition
gave rise to quite long discussion, many Of
the members expressing doubt As to its practi-
cability.
Mr.. Dorman B. Eaton offered Q substitute
simply authorizing the executive committee to
use all proper and judicious measures within
the resources of the league" to advance the
cause of reform, but Mr.. Wayne Mcveagh in
duced him to withdraw it, and Mr.. Wheeler 3
resolutions were adopted.
THE SECOND TERM QUESTION.
President Curtis called for the reading of
Dorman B. Eaton's paper on the question
SHOULD one who has held the Office of Presi-
dent be eligible for re-election?" Mr.. Eaton
demurred, adding that the question was of
such magnitude that he was unable to have his
paper, which he had prepared with great care,
considered In the limited period which the
meeting seemed to have at its disposal. He
proposed to withdraw his paper altogether,
but it was finally referred to the executive
committee to be printed, with the understand
ing that it be discussed at the next annual
meeting of the league.
HOW TO RUN THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT..
paper on ''The post Office to be taken out
OF politics" by Richard A. Dana, was read by
the secretary in that gentleman's absence. It
began as follows: 1.-The reform of the civil
service has now reached point of dignity and
importance. 1t has withstood two changes of
administration. and though the number of po-
9ltlOna cnvara6 nv lav av,lv 90
Q total of about 142, 900. yet the aggregate an
nusl salaries Of these n, 600 places is between
$50 OOO, 900 and $40. 0O0, 900, nearly one-half
OF the annual aggregate salaries Of all the sp-
Pointivs places in the United States civil serv-
Ice, as 1t Is usually estimated. To have taken
nearly 90, 900 900 year from the huge sums
heretofore devoted to partisan purposes is no
little work to have been accomplished. The
postmasters, whose aggregate salaries are
Sl2 O,OOO, are 80 situated that they can easily
be made into the most useful political machine;
and 1t Is fact that they are constantly being
made into electioneering agents, with the adj
vantage OF having their salaries paid by the
government"
Referring to President Harrison's remark in
his inaugural address-that, in making I'D the
civil list, the President had necessarily to rely
upon the representations Of others-Mr. Dana
said: "The Others upon whom the largest
degree OF reliance might be placed in selecting
appointees for the Post Office department are
selected under civil service regulations, and
naturally have very intimate knowledge of
the needs Of the service. Promotions should
be made upon the representations of these
officials and always with a due regard to
efficiency shown in the lower branches Of the
service. The division of the country into
postal districts would be one Of the best means
OF placing the service on business basis, and
a. means Of preventing abuse Of any sort it
would be well to pass bill expressly forbid
ding removals from places in the post
office for political reasons, and no removals
should be made except after a hearing before
the inspector in whose district it was proposed
to make the change"
In order to eliminate the objection of per-
sonal preference among the inspectors MIR.
Dana urged competitive examinations which
might, without serious difficulty, be applied to
fourth-class postmasters.
THE REFORM AS A MORAL QUESTION.
Mr.. Chas. Bonapsrte Of Baltimore, in his
paper on 'civil service reform as a moral aues-
ton, said that man who promoted or excused
any form Of cheating at elections was simply a
scoundrel He further said: "A President who
deprives the country of an upright and compe-
tent postmaster or naval officer to meet the
views or advance the views of selfish and un-
scruPulous lntriguers is no less blameworthy
than one who should give them the public
moneys; he may be less keenly conscious of
his guilt, If he has lived long years in a moral
atmosphere poisoned by the malaria of .spoiIs
politics, but while he has any conscience or
honor left he will feel ashamed of what he
does.
The growing evil Of bribery in connection
with elections is the logical outcome of the
spoils system in politics and cannot be consist
emily condemned by any one who approves of
using appointments to influence political &C
ton or reward partisan service. Whether a
worker il paid by . check or Q sinecure
whether q mans vote is bought for $5 or for the
chance to dawdle fortnight at street sweep
ing, can make no difference Is to the right or
wrong Of the matter. While the man bribed ia
equally guilty, whatever the form of his reward,
1t IL surely more odious and more noxious to
bride with what is the peoples than with what
Is ones own, to purchase SURFACES or influence
at the taxpayers cost than to pay for these out
Of the corrupter's pocket. The spoilsmsn will
never love u.s. do what We may, but they will
and do shrink from hearing Us tell them what
in truth they are.
mo spokesman, however hardened, is really
indifferent when he hears that he is fsithless to
his trust and false to his oath OF office: that his
motives are unworthy, his excuses mere soph-
istry, and, however much he lay Supply his
conscience or deceive his ne Jors. he knows
In his heart that he is not 4opc st man."
Mr.. Bonapartes paper W warmly applauded
and In resolution Of thanks which was
adopted it was declared to be q true exposition
Of civil service reform.
After naming Buffalo, NY, as the next place
OF meeting, the league adjourned