The Delta independent., 1890-10-07
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Meeting Of the National League at
Boston.

Meeting Of the National League at
Boston.
George William Curtis was reelected
President Of the National Civil Service
A number Of interesting papers were
read, among others, ono by Charles Bona
parte. Of Baltimore, president Of tho
Maryland Civil Service Reform League,
on tho "Relation Of Civil Service Reform
to other Reforms"
He said: 'It is the function Of civil
service reform to provide for all other
reforms. 1t IL the necessary plan for other
work. To expect to get solutions to such
problems Is the tarin, currency and pen
sion system offers through such men as
make up the bulk Of either house of Con-
Rress, or to deal wisely with labor or
liquor questions through such men as
mako up our legislatures and city councils
Is a. irrational a. to expect ngs from
thistles. The standard Of these politicians
has been defined by one Of their own mum
Der, . senator, who has declared the puri-
ication Of politics to be an iridescent
dream, and that the golden rule has no
place In political campaign. To rid our
country Of these dangerous and noxious
counterfeits Of statesmen and make room
for the genuine article, which we produced
in good measure one hundred years ago,
we have only to do away with the incidents
Of public life which have arisen and made
1t 1T career for honorable men. When
We have done this, when we have pratt
cally applied the principles Of civil service
reform through our federal, state and
municipal governments, we may hope for
the other reforms so much desired"
Among other resolutions tho following
WAS adopted
.'The National Civil Service Reform
League, In common with all citizens who
desire the overthrow OF the great evil
known - the '.sroils system," copgratu-
tates the country that the attempt to nulli-
fy the reform law during the present ses-
sicn of Congress was defeated in the
House; that the law was defended by dis
ties, and that the leader Of the majority Of
the House declared that his party was
pledged to nothing more than Q civil ser
vice reform, which was truly sustained by
tho best opinion of both parties, Republi-
cans and Democrats alike. Tho League
recognizes the fact that 1900 places in
the public service are now filled up on
fair and free competition BY merit alone,
while Commissioner Roosevelt gives assur
ancs that 9e per cent. of the clerks 20 ap-
pointed under the late administration have
been retained. It recalls with sausfsction
the action of the attorney general sustain
ing the civil service commission in the Sc
lection Of appointments made in defiance
Of the reform law and the indictment of
persous for receiving political contribu-
ticus- It commends the explanation OF the
civil service commission before the House
Investigating committee, and congratu-
lates the country upon the choice Of civil
service commits sioners Of the present ad-
ministration.
"As measure Of relief from one Of tho
WORT and most widely difYused abuses Of
the spoils system, the league approves the
objects Of the bill introduced In Con-
gress during the present session, to rogu.
late the appointment of fourth class post
masters BY causing their selection to be
made upon business principles, and with
out regard to political interests and
opinions. The league reafirms its un-
swerving ndelity TO the American and
democratic principle in the equal right OF
every citizen 70 compete on equal terms
for appointment to ONCE without the ne
cessity Of asking aid from party friends
Of political leaders. The prscticability
and benefit Of civil service reform have
been amply and conclusively demon
strated, and ~ the necessity Of reform
was never more urgent the league de-
clares that In the interest Of honest gov
ernment OF the freedom and purity Of the
ballot and Of the overthrow Of political
corruption, II will prosecute with un-
tagging energy its appeal TO that matured
opinion Of the American people which
steadily and happily reforms every abuse
that msaaces tho welfare Of the republic.