Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-04-09
REPUBLICAN CLUB
OF Massachusetts, hos I Grand
Isstils At Bsston.
4 1ousing l1sseieg ana an Int husias-
t1o Audience.

Rosros, April s.-The lasgsss political
gathering Of the kind held in Boston for
years. Frst dinner Of the Republican Club
of Massachusetts, vas held in Music Hall
this evening. Covers we're laid for $40, be-
aides guests and speakers, and with spectA-
tors in the gallery. more than 1000 pao-
pie we're present. Most Of the club mem-
bers attended the business meeting in
Bumstead Hall, where Curtis Gould. Jr.,
reported for election committee, and VIM.
ID. Sohief for executive committee, Ad-
joufnment was taken to the large hall, where
dinner was served at $50 o'clock.
President Roger Wolcott sat ct the middle
OF tie head table. On his right we're
Secretary b +. Tracy, Lieutenant Cover
| nor Halle, Hon. A. W. Beard. Hon. ]. II.
Walker, w. e. Barrett, Congressman
E1jsh A. Morse, Ex-Governor Oliver Ames
and Secretary J. o. Wardwell Of the Re-
publican state committee. On the
left sat Senator Nelson w. Aldtich
of Rhode Island, Ex Governor Brack-
EFT, Postmaster Thomas N. Hart,
Congressman Lodge. President Henry H.
Sprsgue of the Massachusetts Senate, Con-
gresham Greenhalee. Chairman / o Bur-
dette Of the Republican st.te committee
and Gen. N II. Banks. Dinner was fln-
! ished xt $50. and precisely a. I President
Roger Woicott rose to open the speaking.
He was received with roar of applause aud
spoke for 20 minutes, the audience becom-,
ing fairly enthusiastic over the reference
to Congressmsa Walkers position. When
President Walcoit introduced Secretary
Tracy, the latter was greeted by rising and
cheering.
escrstary Tracy Said:
l. was here that the fret conflict Of the
revolution took place which resulted in the
formation Of the Union, and here that the
fires of liberty, which finally destroyed
slavery, were kept glowing, aud 90 it 10
here that those who seek to improve the
standard of civil administration will
be accorded an attentive heating
and just and true appreciation.
The Administration Of the Government
from 1861 to 1865 constitutes most bril-
liant chsptsr in the history of the country.
But the Republican party must be some
thing more than memory. 1t cannot live
on tradition.
Said he: 1 believe it 10 generally con.
ceded that this has been q working rather
than talking administration, and it 10
enough 10 know that 90 far a. personal in
tegrity is concerned the record Of the pres
ent administration has never been excelled.
Many OF our political friends have COM
planned that the President moves too slowly
IN making appointments to office. Does
not this record Of absolute fidelity in every
position prove the wisdom Of his cautious
policy? He recognized ss the underlying
power of this administration the clear in
telligence, firm will aud high conscien-
,iousness of purpose Of President
Harrison. He also pointed with pride to
the able states esmsDship displayed by Secre-
tary Blaine in dealing with the important
questions which have confronted him, and
paid VAIN tribute to the administration
Of The treasury department by the late Sec.
retary Window. There was much to be
said Of the good work done in the other
departments. The Secretary denied that
the appropriations Of the 5lst Congress
were extfayagant
They were larger, il is true, than their
predecessors, bu, an increased expenditure
must inevitably result 80 long a. the c0un-
try continues to grow. Twelve millions of
increase for navy, he deemed u judicioas
appropriation and necessary. tie then
gave q detailed statement Of the work that
had been done in his own department and
what was pre- jected, describing various types
of vessels it is proposed TO build and
pointing out their advantages. He ex.
pressed great faith in the movement for an
OF ganizs,ion of the naval militia in the va
rious states. Referring TO the emplo, ment
ot labor in the navy yards, he said that he
proposed to exclude political Influence from
ali connection herewith. IL 10 an ulcer on
the laval ADMINISTRATION. The system he
proposed to adopt is not yet csmplete
in its details, but practically pro-
vides fer a registration board at each
yard to register all applicants for
Employment as unskilled lsporers, to be
selected as required on the principle Of
"fits. come, first served" the preference
only being given to those who have had ex-
peIiencs and to those who have served in
il the sImy or navy or have families.
Skilled lsborers are to be certified in the
order of their application. with due regard
to their qaalifc atoms, and to be placed on
irisl for period of probation, to be ulti-
rns.ely graded or discharged accordinu to
their meriis.
Said he: sAtd having begun in the way
l have indicated, 10 not propose to stop
until the principle of efficiency and worth Is
| the only test Of navy yard employment.
l am sstisfied that such q system will
be in the interest, not only Of
work, but Of working men, that can be
carried out so that it will remove net only
sll machine politics from navy yards. .bu. all
suspicion Of mAcAiue politics ;thsE ECONOMY
and efficiency Of work will be promoted, while
| the community will be sure that the navy
} ard IN It's midst, instead Of being focus Of
| local political intrigue, il u place Of en-
ploy ment Of body Of independent and
| self respecting working men. whose
only read to promotion lies in good
work and In whom slackness, In
dolence or bad habits will surely lead to
discharge. Whether the present civil ser
vice law is the best that could be devised to
| improve the civil service Of the country
do not know. But this do kGow from
personal observation in my ovn de p .rtmeur
,hss persons appointed under this system
are unqaes'iousbly more efficient as q
whole tbsn those selec.ed under any
| y stem Of pure patronage; and | know
iurher that . republican, charged with ths
responsibility of administering one OF the
grextest executive departments Of The gov.
eminent, cannot be true 10 himself to the
faith of the republican party or to the peo
pie Of this great nation, whose servant hs
is. II he fails TO employ any and all mean
within his poser to elevate. purify snt
render mere efficient the civil service Of
the couutry.
| Secretary Tracy was warmly applsudet
throughout his speech and ils close, hi
sIlusions to Secretary Blaine bsicg she sig
nal for loud applause. Senator AliYicl
was the second speaker. He said that thi
meeting was fuii Of promise for the Rgpnb
licaa party in Msseschusetss, and that tn,
Democratic success 10 New Eoalsnd wa