Evening journal., 1892-09-01

bury, Mass. aud after eighteen months Of
study and farm labor the brothers went 20
Concord, Mass, whore they spent another
year and half in a farmers home They
had six months experience as farmers, till
ing their own land, and that ended the
bucolic experiences Of the great editor.
In journalism.
In 1916 Mr. Curtis went abroad, living for
some time in Italy and Germany, and after
ward travelling in Egypt and Syria He
came back TO New York in 1858, and soon
afJerward became one OF the editorial
writers upon the stan Of the New York
Tribune.
He afterward cast his fortunes with the
publishers of Putnam's Monthly, becoming
one of the editors Of that publication In
1851 Alr. Curtis lost his private fortune in
an unfortunate business venture with
publishing house, but such was his integri-
ty that he paid every creditor in fun This
took many years OF work to accomplish.
The last of his debts was not paid until
1873
In 1858 he began in Harper's Monthly the
department. called ''rhe Editors Easy
Chair de continued TO edit ard conduct
this department until the time of his death
10 was one of the most delightful depart
ments in periodical literature, and it. was
only few weeks ago thar the Messrs. Har-
pers announced the preparation in book
form of some extracts from the "Eaey
Chair'-an announcement none the less well
come because of It's delay
Ia 1867 Mr. Curtis became the leading
editorial writer for Harper's Weekly, task
that ho continued until near the end of his
fatal illness.
1t was chiefly through the columns Of
Harpers Weekly that Mr.. Curtis advocated
what was known as civil service reform
He believed that the tenure of minor politi-
cal offices should be held independently
from political convictions Throughout bis
life ne adhered strongly 20 this belief, and
made the paper OF which he was the editor
more closely identified than any other in
the country with this propaganda.
In Politics.
For many years Mr. Curtis was a COM
handing figure in New York and national
Republican politics. He was delegate TO
many national conventions, and in 1854 he
was defeated for congress in his district.
He declined consular Offices offered TO him
I by President Lincoln. I'm 1869 he declined
the Republican nomination for secretary Of
state In this state In 1871 Mr. Curtis was
D tNIhNlNtW 10y ANniNtNA 4lHAt one OF tNt
commissioners TO draw up rules for the
regulation of the civil service. I'm 1873 DE
/ resigned because of an unfortunate differ
ence OF opinion regarding the enforcement,
Of the rules between himself and General
Grant
/ In 1884 Mr. Curtis was dissatisfied with
I the nomination of Hon. James q. Blaine foi
/ the presidency 10y the Republican conyen.
/ ton, and he took an active part in the
I movement which elected Grover Clevelapd
Since that time Mr.. Curtis was an ardent
independent and was the leader of tho
mngwump school ina politics Previous O.,
the Bane-CicveMnd fight, however, me- ha,
bolted the nomination of Governor Corei
10y the Republicans, and thus paved "a,
way for has Subsequent course.
Ia Literature.
Since 1864 Mr. Curtis was one Of the re-
gents of the University OF the State of New
York and was SIS chancellor at the time @
his death
Among She best known OF Mr.. Curtis Ok
erry works were "Nies Notes of How
adjin "Lotus Eating "Pofiphar Pape
'Trumps,n novel, aud "Prue ana