Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-21
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
Mr.. John Joy Edson's Opinion of the Recent
Convention.
That Which Impressed Him at Gin
cinnati-Mr. Grosvenor Not
Representing Ohio.

Mr.. John Joy Edison, president Of the
Civil Service Reform Association Of the
District has Just returned from the seven
teenth annual convention in Cincinnati of
the National Civil Service Reform League.
Mr.. Edison is enthusiastic over the pro-
ceedings of the convention, and stated to-
day to a Star reporter that the prospects
are much brighter than ever for civil SER
vice reform.
The meeting convened in Cincinnati the
18th, and held over the 18th. Mr.. Edison
said today, in speaking Of it:
Everybody appeared greatly interested
in the work of the convention. Some of
the best pecple in Cincinnati took part
in the proceedings. There were about one
hundred and twenty-five delegates present,
coming from IS far west as Colorado and
as far east as Massachusetts. They repre-
sented the leading citizens in the section
from whence they came OF the prominent
local neil who took part in the proceed
ngs was Judge w. H. Taft, presiding Judge
OF the United States circuit court of ap-
reals, and president of the Cincinnati Civil
Service Reform Association. He made a
Powerful speech for civil service reform,
which undoubtedly had great weight with
every body who heard it, as the judge is one
of the abiest and one Of the most popular
men in the state of Ohio.
Garfield's Son a Reformcr.
another prominent man, one of the
young men Of the state, who was present
at the convention, was James r. Garfield,
son OF President Garfield. He took the
greatest interest in the work. and made an
address which stamped him as young
| nan Of unusual force and promise of future
usefulness and large influence.
zone OF the most characteristic and nota-
BILE things l think, about the convention
was the prominence of tie men who were
for the most part delegates. They were dis
| interested and unselfish in this work, with
| no IDEA of seeking office or of pushing
themselves forward in any way, and hav-
ing only the best interests of the country
at heart.
From my observations was convinced
tnat there Is not now one person engaged
in the civil service reform movement who
has any idea of taking u backward step.
The local association has had increased en-
thusiasm infused into it, and earnest eff
GfHts will be made this winter to have the
civil service rules extended to cover the en-
rloycs OF the municipal government Of the
District.
Republican Party's Position.
"One Of the strongest addresses in favor
or civil service reform at the public
meeting of the league December II, made
by Judge Hitchcock of ST. Louis. His text
was The Republican Party and Civil Ser
vice Reform He showed concusively that
up to and including the last republican
convention the party had always been in
favor or civil service reform. Every re-
publican President, from Lincoln and
Grant down, has favored it,
"A well known labor leader In Cincinnati,
Mr. hugh rCaVanaugh, made q ringing ad-
dress in favor of civil service reform show
ing that he and his associates heartily in
dorsed the movement.
MI. GrCsvenor may think he Is represent.
ing the majority of his constituents in fight
ing civil service reform, but judging from
cCnversinS with some Of the leading citi-
| zens in his district and in Ohio it would
| seem that he is mistaken, as they appear to
| be earnestly in its favor.
The Young Men Interested.
I'm my opinion, there is one most signtf-
| cant TACT which think would go to prove
that civil service reform Is continually on
the increase. That is the remarkable in
| terest which young men take in the move
| ment Whether they are fresh from the
| university or from the farms, they take
| hold CT 1t and work earnestly. The hope of
the country Is In Its young men,
| The people Of Cincinnati contributed to
our comfort ard convenience most pleas
antly, and their hospitality was highly ap-
rreciated by the delegates"
Civil Pensions.
resolution was adopted by the league
| without dissenting vote. clearly dsavow-
ing Endorsement of civil pensions, declaring
that such provision should only be made
by voluntary efforts and organized by the
| employees themselves
Mr.. F. L. Siddons secretary of the local
association, attended the conven ton with
Mr.. Edison. The other delegates from the
District were A. E. Wolf and H. H. Classic
Ihey speak equally enthusiastic regarding