The Washington times., 1894-05-09
CIVIL SERVICE REFORMERS.
Organize a District Association to Wipe
Ont Existing Evils.

Organize a District Association to Wipe
Out Existing Evils.
The Civil Service Reform Association OF the
District of Columbia was organized last night
at willard's hotel by large number of active
citizens of the city. There were present over
sixty well-known business and professional
men, representing variety Of vocations, and
the meeting throughout was attended with
considerable enthusiasm. The three civil
service commissioners, Brockwell, Lyman,
and Roosevelt, were present as guests.
When the meeting was called to order by
the secretary Of the committee on organiZa
ton, Mr.. F. L. Siddons. a lengthy explanation
of the objects of the association was made.
pointing out the necessity Of its formation at
the present time.
On the motion OF Mr.. J. G. Gurley, DR..
Frank T. Howe was unanimously elected
temporary chairman. On taking the chair,
DR.. Howe spoke upon the idea of the organi-
mediate formation.
Mr.. B. ". johnson was elected temporary
secretary OF the meeting. A committee of
five. consisting Of Messrs. F. E. Leupp. Daniel
Murray. Adolph Wolf. Charles W. Stetson and
H. B. F. Mcfarland, was appointed on mo-
ton of Mr.. Adolph Wolf to draft and report
constitution.
Mr.. Leupp. the chairman Of the committee,
later submitted his report. 1t provides for the
organization under the name Of the "Civil
Service Reform Association of the District of
Columbia" and the objects, as set forth. pro-
vide for the extension and maintenance Of the
merit system of appointments to, promotions
in, removals from. and other changes in civil
service of the municipal, state, and Federal
governments. including that Of the District OF
Columbia. The association is pledged to do
all in its power to secure such legislative and
executive action as will tend to produce the
foregoing results. 1t provides for a complete
list of officers and an executive committee, to
be vested with all powers Of the association
between the meetings.
During the retirement of the committee the
organization was addressed by Senator
Henry Cabot Lodge. He denounced the
spoils system as corrupt and degrading to
the government. He arraigned 1t for taking
the administration OF the government In
great measure out of the hands of most COM
petent and able men and placing in their
stead the henchmen OF political leaders. He
advised the association to stick closely to the
purposes for which it was organized. to place
the government Of the District of Columbia
on a basis of merit in office. and then 10 con-
centrate its efforts on definite measures for
the good of the service and large fields All
efforts should be made on definite measures
rather than abstract principles.
A committee of five was appointed. on mo-
tion of Mr.. F. L. Siddons. to report nomina-
tions of officers for the current year. The
nominations as presented are: Hon. William
B. Webb. for president: Rev. Alexander
Maekay-Smith. John Joy Edison, and Run
dolph Kaufman, vice presidents; J. L. Sid
dons, secretary: C. W. Stetson, assistant secre-
tary.
Executive committee, to act in conjunction
with the associate officers: C. C. Glover. Gen.
Chauncey McKeever, August Donath, F. G..
Gurley. Henry B. G. Mcfarland. and DIR. F.
I. Howe.
The secretary was requested to east
unanimous ballot for the officers as read. This
was done.
After action was taken upon the election OF
officers a very brief address was made by
Hon. NJ. D. Harter. He recalled the present
political unrest over the country and the
dangers to which Congress is subjected by
unwise legislation. The object of the associa-
ton was a commendable one, he thought,
and should receive. a cordial support
The closing speech Of the evening was
made by Rev. A. Mackay Smith, who re-
hearsed very carefully the history OF tine
civil service reform movement.