The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-03
A CAUSTIC ARRANGEMENT
CIVIL SERVICE RSFoRMsRs CRIrL
CIsn THE ADMINISTRATION.

Resolutions Passed Calling Attention
to the Contempt Shown to Ants-Elec-
ton Pledges of Continuation and ax.
tension OF the Spirit of Reform-Om-
Politicians"
BosroN. Oct AT meeting OF the
National Civil Service Reform League to
day George w. Curtis was elected president
for the ensuing yrar. The treasurer's re.
port showed a balance Of $4,000 in the
treasury.
A paper by T. NJ Shepard of Brooklyn,
on Examination in Character Essential to
Complete Competition, /" was read.
Charles J. Bonapirte of Baltimore, presi-
dent of the Maryland league. read paper
on 1.-THE Relation of Civil Service Reform
TO Other Reforms" He declared civil
service reform to be necessary before other
reforms could begin. he said: ITO expect
10 get solutions of the tariff, currency and
pension problems from such men as make
up the bulk Of either house of congress,
or to deal wisely with tho labor and liquor
questions through such men as make up our
legislatures and councils, is the same as to
expect figs from thistles. A veritabie bog
of intrigue and bribary will be created II
those who grapple with those questions
have any but high standard of honor.
STANDARD OF THE POLITICIAN.
'The standard Of these politicians has boon
defined by one of their own number--a SON
ator-who has declared publication of poll
tics to DO an iridesoent beam, and that the
golden rule has no place in political CAM
paign. The' same doctrine is echoed
by every unfaithful trustee, dishonest
trader, habitual swindler and thief.
The profession of politics, as understood
by the spokesman is an essentially immoral
profession, like that Of the gambler OF con-
fidence man. The politician may as well,
so far as his self-respect or public utility Is
affected, be owned by rich man. a rich
corporation, the farmers alliance, the
Knights of Labor or the Grand Army OF
the Republic. He is a bale of the same
goods, whatever be his trademark.
ITO rid our country Of these dangerous
and noxious counterfeits of statesmen, and
make room for the genuine article which
we produced in good measure 100 years ago,
we have only to do away with the incidents
of public life which have arisen and made
1t no fit career for honorable men. When
we have practically applied the principles
of civil service reform through our fed
eral, state and municipal governmental, we
may hope for other reforms so much de-
sired"
L. w. Swift read paper on "All Other
Reforms Should Be Subordinated to Civil
Service Reform" 1t was in line with Mr..
Bonaparte's address, and was a warm ap-
peal for the overthrow Of political bosses
and the spoils system
The present officers were reelected, and
the executive committee was increased by
the election OF e. Carey, Charles Collins,
William d. Foulke of Indiana, and r. II.
Dana Of Cambridge
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The committee on resolutions made its
report. The resolutions declare that the
national league congratulates the country
upon the fact that the attempt to nullify
the reform law during the present congress
was defeated in the House: recognizes the
fact that $4,000 places In the public service
are now filed up on fair and free competi-
tion; says that Commissioner Roosevelt
gives assurances that 92 per cent OF
the clerks appointed after examination
by the last administration have been
retained; expresses satisfaction at the long
delayed indictment of the president and
treasurer of the Old Dominion republican
organization by the grand jury of the DIS
trict Of Columbia; says that the civil service
commissions defense of the principles Of
reform before the congressional committee
entities 1t 10 public gratitude congratulates
the country upon the admirable choice of
civil service commissioners made by the
present administration.
HARRIsoN's UNFULFILLED PLEDGES.
The resolutions remind the country of
the pledges made by the Republican party
at the last Presidential election, that the
reform already begun should be extended
to all grades of the service and the spirit Of
reform observed, and protests against the
nr MI lpd wi ha
shown. The resolutions say: "Not
only have not the spirit and
purpose of reform been observed
in all the executive departments,
bzss they have been often violated. The
removal of postmasters for no other cause
than their political opinions or party affilia-
tions resulting in partisan devastation Of
that important branch Of the public service,
is breach of faith with the country and
grave offense against pure politics and eff
cient public service.
1.-THE league holds that the important
duty Of taking the census should have been
committed to officers selected because Of
their fitness, and with no regard to politi-
cal or partisan confederation, and 1t sees In
the general dissatisfaction throughout the
country with the results of the census the
logical consequence Of this disregard of
these principles"
The extension Of civil service methods TO
the government navy yards Is recommen-
ded. It was voted to accept the invitation
of Buffalo to meet there next year unless
the executive committee should find it ad
visable to hold the meeting elsewhere.
DECENTRALIZATION OF BALTIMORE REPUBLr-
CANS.
G. J. Bonaparte spoke Of the complete
demoralization that had come over the Re-
publican party in Baltimore because Of the
distribution of patronage in that city. and
said it seemed certain that the delegation
to the next republican national convention
would be pledged against Harrison.
Mr.. Dana moved resolution to the effect
that the failure to reappoint, or the
removal of collectors of customs rs
proper whenever efficiency will be
gained thereby, but that such offices
should not be political and should
not be changed as a matter OF principle
with each change of administration, and
that vacancies should be filed az far as
practicable from the civil service list Of
ehgibles.
The matter, after considerable discussion,
was referred to the executive committee.