The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-12-12

with politicians after places for them
selves. and 30 all the off1ces, from the
mayor down. were allowed to devote
themselves to the interests OF the city;
whereas. formerly a very considerable
pcrtion of their time was absofbd in par
celiiLg out the plunder.
II know you will permit me to say
without implying any discourtesy what
ever-that the atmosphere Of the west
seems more congenial to the growth of
civil service reform than that OF the
east
In the west the growth for reform in
all its aspects seems to be rapid and con-
tinuous, and yet healthy, and it is al
ready cropped out in practical legis.a-
ton in many of the states. In Chicago
We siia'l get the entire city service under
the rules within five years after the pas
sage OF the law-even If we have 10
change the political complexion of an ad-
ninist1 alton some time on purpose to do
IT,"
OFFENSIVE PARTISANSHIP.
There was a heated discussion this af-
ternoon over one plank in the resoir-
tions, when they were offered by Chair
man Bonaparte. The plank which caus-
ed the trouble was as follows:
'The ingnominous and well merited
defeat of the Democratic party at the
polls at the recent election is source OF
much qualification
There were a half dozen delegates on
their feet scrambling for recognition be-
fore the last word was out OF the speak
er's mouth. Colonel Ella OF Chicago ask
ed that the paragraph be stricken cut, as
he knew several persons VINO voted for
William j. Bryan for president who were
in hearty accord with civil service. n.
H. Davis of Cincinnati also opposed the
objectionable plank. The resolutions
were finally referred back to the ccn-
mittee and when they came before the
convention again the obnoxious para
graph had been stricken out.
RESOLUTIONS.
The resolutions adopted are as follows:
"The national civil service reform lea
que, assembled in this, its sixteenth an
nual meeting, is compelled 20 notice the
fact that during the past year, for the
first time since it's organization, its prin-
ciples were openly repudiated and re-
vival of discarded abuses threatened in
the platform put forth by national con-
vcntion and in the public declarations Of
candidate for the presidency. The lea
que cordially endorses the protest pub
ished during the contest by it's executive
committee against these mischlevous
and misleading utterances. 1t congrat-
ulates the country the purpose thus fore
Shadowed to undue the good accom-
plished by persistent effort during a gen.
eration's space have failed of consum-
nation, and records its hope that it may
be called upon to meet no similar assault
in the future.
''The league heartily congratulates the
country upon the truly remarkable pro-
gress of the reform under the second ad-
ninistration of President Cleveland, and
especially during the past year. For this
great achievement, advancing, as it does
the fundamental principles of free gov
ernment, President Cleveland deserves
the sincere and heartfelt thanks of all
good citizens.
The league recognizes in the president
elect friend to civil service reform who
has rendered eminent srvice in the past
to our cause. His record assures all
friends of the reform that it will be his
desire as well as his duty to end what
remains of the practice OF using federal
Offices to reward personal or party SER
vice.
''The league congratulates the state OF
New York upon the recent classification
of its state and departmental service.
''The league observes with peculiar
satisfaction the remarkably increased
number and activity of the agencies
working for better government through
out the country.
'The league renews it's recommenda-
tons that the legislation requisite to
place the municipal government and
other local offices of the District of Col
umbia within the operation Of the civil
service law be enacted.
'At its last annual meeting the lea
que heard with pleasure of the commend
able attempt of the postmaster general
to extend the benefits OF the classified
service to many postmasters of smaller
postoffices by consolidating their offices
with those of the larger cities in the VI
cinity. This measure held out the
public money and marked increase in
mail facilities, besides applying the mer-
it system to a portion of the public SER
vice, wherein its introduction is al once
most desirable and attended with serious
difficulties. The league has since seen
with regret and indignation the practical
Illustration of this judicious measure
through the selfish and unscruplous hos
tility of certain senators and representa-
tives. hostility cloaked under various
frivolous pretexts, but which could be
inspired only by desire to use the pub
lie patronage as rewards for personal ad-
herents or party workers, and it urges
upon congress that this erninently prac-
tical reform beno longer delayed"