Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-14
CLOSED THEIR EABORS
The Fifteenth Annual Meeting Of the Civil
Service Reform League Ended.
Resolutions Commenting the Presi-
tension of the Rules Adopted.

The fifteenth annual meeting of the Civil
Service Reform League reached an adjourn
nreqt late yesterday afternoon after most
successful series of sessions. A public ses-
sion was held yesterday afternoon In the
assembly hall of the Cosmos Club. at which
number of interesting papers were read.
The most important of these from a local
point of view was by DR.. E. NJ. Gallaudet,
the president of the Gallaudet College for
the Deaf and Dumb. He spoke of the need
for civil service methods In the manage
ment of these schools throughout the coun-
try. '"rhe spells SYSTEM" he said, 'is try
ing to get grasp upon them. There is a
certain fitness Eeeded fo- the instructors in
the schools for the deaf The speaker
cited removals of superintendent In differ
ent states of the south and west, men VINO
were capable, and their places filled by
politicians who were fully incapable to
perform the duties Of the Office. DR.. Gal
laudet, in closing, urged the association to
take hold of the case and obtain the neces-
sary legislation.
Resolutions Adopted.
After the reading Of the papers the re-
port of the resolutions committee was
taken up, and the resolutions were adopted
in the following form:
The league commends the order of Presi-
dent Cleveland of September 20. 1885, con-
corning the mode of appointing consular
officers as an effort to promote the eff
cheney of the service, and as recognition
of the principle that fitness and qualfica-
ton should control such appointments and
promotion.
The league recommends that this order
be extended to all purely consular officers
whose compensation exceeds $2,5OO and
that 1t also include subordinate officers in
the diplomatic service.
The league further recommends, in order
that the reform be enduring, and this exec
III m lv mi ha q
similar executive orders of 1865, 1872 and
1873. that a suitable law be enacted by Con-
gress embodying these reforms. and also
that such law provide, so far possible,
for competitive examinations. to be con-
Quoted by board composed. at least in
part, by members of the civil service re-
form commission.
The league comments the order Of the
Postmaster General requiring that no let
ter carrier shall be removed except for
cause and upon written charges, and 1t
Urges the application of similar rule to
other branches of the classified service.
The league renews its demand for the re-
peal of the law limiting to four years the
terms of certain administration officers, as
unjust, impolftic, prolific source of de-
moralization ard mischief to the public
service and to our whole political life, and
especially calculated to impair the benefi-
cent effects OF recent reforms. Merit APP
pointments must logically be accompanied
by merit tenure.
That the present law against soliciting
contributions for political purposes from
federal employees he SO amended as to pro-
hibit such solicitations in any manner or
place, and that the civil service commits
sion be given the power to compel the at
tendence of witnesses, and to put them
upon oath or affirmation.
We urge upon all seeking good govern
ment for our cities the paramount import
ance of securing the adoption therein of
the merit system of appointment. And We
respectfully urge upon Congress the en-
tension of this system by law to the Dis
trict of Columbia. .au.....
Thanks fer the Local Associa ton.
a motion rendering the Civil Service Re
form Association of the District of Column
bia and the Cosmos Club tbs, heartiest
thanks of the association was unanimously
adopted. A vote of thanks was also given
to President SchurZ, and at O'Clock the
convention adjourned.
The Reception at the Arlington.
In the evening handsome reception was
given AT the Arlington in honor of the league
by the members of the local association,
under the direction of the chairman, Mr..
John Joy Ellison. The guests were received
by the local committee. and, after few
minutes OF informal reception, Mr. Edison
introduced Rev. DR.. Mackas Smith to DENY
er an address of welcome. TINS ne did in
his usual felicitous STYLE and the response
ca benat the IeasLe was made by Its
president, Mr., Carl Schtrz of New \ ork
Other addresses were made by Secretary
Morton, Everett p. Wheeler, chairman of
the civil service commission of New York
city, Mr.. c. }. Bonaparte Of Baltimore, Will
lam Dudley Foulke of Indiana, Controller
Eckels and MIR. Sherman S. Rogers of Buff
falo. Later the guests Were escorted to the
banquet room, where a handsome collation.
was served Among those present We're Sec
rotary Morton, Rev. DIR. Mackay Smith,
Judge l. G.. kimball, T. 4. Lambert, J. Nota
McGll, Charles Lyman, j. R. Dodge Charles
Needham, August Donath, Civil Service
Commissioner Rice, John w. Douglass, Gen
A. w. Greedy, Crosby S. Moves, Maj Van
Hooker, Everett P. Wheeler. Gen. Ellis
Spear, G. A. Armes, R. Francis Wood. ~ l..
Sturtevant, Walter Wood, w. w. Vaughan.
Cleveland p. Manning, Daniel Murray, T. p.
Lowin, Gen. j. G. Clarke. NJ. G. Curtis. Dr.
w. c. woodward. C. c. Snow, 7. z. Wood
ward, w. Z. Lampe, J. A. kasson. John T.
Doyle. William A. Maury, S. w. Woodward,
J. p. Miller. J. c. Shedd. DR.. William Tin
dali, Rev. Frank Sewell. Frank Reside, Col
John NJ. Wilson. J. H. Ralston. Commission.
or Truesdell, Commissioner Ross. Bishop
John Hurst George McAneny, Charles J.
Bonaparte Prof. s. d. Viewers, Charles d.
Walcott. Prof. S. D. Newcomb, Henry Will
lard, Job Barnard, F. f. Leupp. r. H. Dana,
J. G. Thorp. s. A. Northway. William Rey-
rods. J. b. Thompson. George William
Hill, Gen. Vincent. Controller EckeIs, Civil
Service Commissioner John B. Harlow, John
b. Wight. Col. Henry F. Bount. Sherman s.
Rogers Charles 3. Wheeler Oscar S. Straus
nj