Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-02
as appears by the following quotation from the

as appears by the following quotation from the
Congressional Record for February "a. 1881:
Mr.. Gorman-A year or two since
myself criticised the action (of the civil service
commission), and in common with everybody
else who has thought il his duty TO point out
the defects in the workings Of that commission.
L have been very severely criticised by
the distinguished gentleman who is At the head
OF H. received myself letter, think, from
the president of the commission. calling me 90
account very severely FOR what had said .
IN regard TO the conduct of their Office. did
not reply TO il, and took no notice of it, The
distinguished gentleman who presides over this
commission. and who evidently thinks the whole
structure of this government rests upon his
shoulders, afterward went over to Boston.
Mass, the center of the little coterie who are
running the civil service and there he criti-
cised the action Of (various gentlemen), myself
included, because We have on occa-
sion sought to correct great evil which has
been brought about by their stupidity. .
IL Is SIMPLY an outrage, piece Of audacity Ito
do this) simply because we have attempted to
correct the defects growing out OF
their want Of ability to enforce the civil service
law In practical and fair way. The
president of the civil service commission has
taken 1t on himself TO criticise every member of
the Senate or Of the other House for their pub
nc uttersnces here when they have attempted
70 correct these defects that have grown up.
He addressed me . communication, az
meant by statement had made on the floor
OF the Senate; he called me to account for what
had said.
"'Mr. Blair-I will ask the Senator what he
did aboutit2
Mr. Gorman-I did about il what I do In the
case Of all interference by impudent people
who without warrant ask me about nv dis
charge OF my duty. took 40 notice Of it,
How THE THING LOOKS TO MR.. ROOSEVELT.
Evidently" continued Mr.. Roosevelt, Mr..
German had been wrought up to . pitch of
great mental anguish, partly by my having
written him what still seems to me a very mod
crate letter, and partly byo NV having shown
that the alleged facts furnished him by his
friend were simple creations of fancy.
In fact. the whole case puts the Maryland
statesman in new and rather unexpected
light. Hitherto il has been generally assumed
that he was a shrewd, experienced, possibly not
too scrupulous politician, with great contempt
for any kind of sentimental politics. and the
last man in the world to be taken ip by the
transparent lies Of clumsy impostor; indeed.
there are coarse-minded, cynical persons who
still adhere to this view, limiting that the bright
young man was merely an airy Pigment of Mr..
Germans jocund imagination.
But now it appears that Mr.. Germans char
acter has been cruelty misjudged, and that he
Is really an amiable, impulsive, sensitive crea-
ture, with a nature more credulous than that
OF the mildest hammered mugwump in the
land. To this receptive, trustful statesman
appears the bright young man'-seemingly
without a name, for Mr.. German has never
been able to give it. But what does Mr.. Cor
name matter in dealing with one who says he
is a Sunday school scholar and that his pastor
speaks well of him? Mr.. Gormap's generous
soul went out to that bright young man. and
he accepted his story with touching and child
like faith. Good-hearted but credulous Mr..
(rnrmanf A hor N ~
wicked ways of workings, might have taken
steps to test the truth of the story; but evil
IDENTIFY the words 'precaution and 'distrust
are not to be found in the vocabulary Of Mr..
Germans Arcadian craftsmanship. Had he
spent two cents in the purchase Of a postage
stamp. and spared the time to write three lines
to the commission. he would have learned within
twenty-four hours that the story was an I'M
adulterated fabrication. But, presumably, ii
seemed to Mr.. Germans delicate sensibilities
that to make such an inquiry might hurt the
feelings of that child of his fondest affection,
the bright young man. He made no inquiry
at all; he simply repeated the story in public
as an instance Of the folly and wickedness OF
the commission. Then l wrote him q letter,
as above. A glance will show that it Is q per-
fectly respectful offer to let Mr.. German sat
isfy himself as to the baselessness OF
the charges he had repeated. But to Mr..
Germans overweight fastidiousness that
letter seemed impudent.' When he came
to speak of it in the Senate he showed
some temper. High-minded, sensitive Mr..
German! Clinging, trustful Mr.. German
Nothing could shake his belief in that 'brigh,
young man. Apparently he did not even YET
try to find out his name-if he had a name: in
fact, his name, like everything else about him
remains to this day wrapped in the Stygiar
mantle of an abysmal mystery. Still less hal
Mr.. German tried to verify the statement
made to him. 1t is enough for him that the,
were made. No harsh suspicion, no stern de
mand for evidence or proof appeals to his art
less and unspoiled soul. He believes what
ever he is told; even when he has forgotten
the name Of the teller. or never knew it. Il
would indeed be difficult to find an instance Of
more abiding confidence in human nature
even in anonymous human nature. And thi,
is the end of the tale Of Arcadian Mr.. German
and his elusive friend, the bright young man
without q name'