New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-27
DEFENDING THE REFORM
COMMISSIONER ROOSEVELT AT CHAUTAU.
QUA
REPLYING TO ALL ATTACKS ON THE CIVIL
SERVICE LAws-wAGNER NIGHT AT
THE LAKESIDE
Icy rELECnArH 10 THE THIBCys.I

Chautauqua July 26.-Theodorc Roosevets rubi-
cund face and eyeglasses beamed this afternoon on a
large audience in the amphthearc, who had gathered
to hear him tell all about Civil Service reform.
Senator Ingalls, he said, is reported sneerng at
rcformers. and saying that the Dccalogue and the
Golden Rule have no place In politics We believe
they have the same place there as in private life
though we are often unable to live up to them
OF course no public man believes that his constituents
expect him TO depart from the Commandments ex-
cepting for their benefit but we maintain that polit
clan who will sin for his constituents will sin for
himself at their expense. Now, Civil Service Reform Is
not idle II won't stop dishonesty In politics, but II
will help do IT, Have you thought that there arr
over 100000 offices in the United Statesi For each
Of these there at least two applicants which means
that there are .OO0. 900 in the country who ex
pect Office as a reward for political services. These
are our chief foes. Against them we have merely
the general desire for good government. on the
whole. We find that competitive examinations furnish
good tes-not the best possible, but one infinitely
better than that IL supplantS
ave now have about 10000 classified employees Of
the Government who came in under our system. Tho
system has worked admirably Wherever in pubic
Office the work Is done exceptionally well. you may
be sure politics is excluded. We don't say that the
highest man Is inevitably the best but that the ono
who passes high Is presumably better than the one
who passes low. and at any rate we rule out poliucS
People say the law isn't enforced. Congress
man declares that President Harrison has removed %
per cent appointed under Civil Service Reform rules
in Mr.. Cleveland's time in Washington. The reverse
is true: 81 per cent were kept in
"What is the weakest point in the Service ?" asked
a man in the audience.
THAT would be hard 10 answer. l don't think
there Is any weak point replied Mr. Roosevelt, amid
laughter. ,,
I'M, has been Wagner night al the Assembly
Professor /. V. Fla4er. the wel-known musician,
gave " popular lecture the great composer, and
Illustrated II with organ selections. William II.
ShcrW cod the pianist also played the spinning song
from the Flying Duchman1 and the Chautauqna
choir, 200 strong, under Professor II. +. Eli, sang
the famous 1annhauser' chorus. Mr.. Flag
ler who il an enthusiastic Wagncrlan,
Insisted on Wagner, immense superiority 10 the
ordinary run Of italian composers, and gave critical
ANALYSIS Of his motives. The lecture Wa notable
Success and Mr.. FaClcT was warmly applduded Other
entertainments to-day lecture on " Austria and
Hungary" by Mrs. Abba q. Wools0n and on Virtue
bv Profess, n X. ?. Wcldncr. There have arrived
Bishop y. :. Rulson, Of Pennsylvania: :. G. smith.
St Paul MIMI. the Rev. A. G. Bum. Brooklyn
r. ;. Waricll, IIartwcl Ohio, and Miss EuG MIA
Young. Danvillc. Ky.