The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-18
FOR CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
NATIONAL LEAGUE DISCUSSES THE
ATTACKS ON THE LAW.
RESOLUTIONS Adopted urging Congress
UnAinchingly 10 Resist the De-
nands Of Those who Are Seek
Ing the Destruetisn Of the Reforn.

CINCINNATI. Dec. f7.-Ths National
Civil Service Reform League today elected
Carl Schurz president by reclamation:
George McArney. OF New York. secrs-
tary and A. s. Fr.xell. Of New York.
treasurer. The repor. OF the treasurer
showed receipts OF 81 "a and disbursements
of G.SsS. The report OF the committee On
resolutions. presented bv Chairman Rona-
part. was adopted. The resolutions re-
mind the country OF the emphatic pledge
OF the last Republican senate for the faith.
fui fuihllment Of this pledge II de-
nounces the attempts Of Republican MEM
bers OF congress TO repeal the law II
urges upon the president. cabinet and
congress the Importance Of unfiinchang
resistance to the demands of those who
wish It's destruction. II stigmatizes the
mendacity with which the enemies Of
Eood government miEepresented the politi-
cal workings OF the merit system. I, de-
mands that the employees OF the census
bureau be selected for merit and fitness
under the direction OF the civil service
commission. 1t renews irs previous dec
laration in favor Of the repeal Of the law
prescribing four-year term for many
Federal offices, the extension Of the merit
system to consular service, and expressly
disclaims any advocacy Of civil service
pensions as part Of the merit system.
Hon. Henry Hitchcock. of ST. Louis. read
Civil Service Reform" The purpose of
this paper was to demonstrate the position
OF the Republican party with reference TO
civil service reform by setting forth the
principles by which the Republican party
stands publicly pledged by its history and
the platforms OF Its national conventions.
The paper criticised a speech made by Mr..
Grosvenor in congress July IS. 1897. and
also Mr. Grosvenors recent utterances in
the house In opposition to the civil service
system. In the former case Mr Grosvenor
is charged with historical inaccuracy and
his later utterances are alleged to be out Of
line with the policy of the Republican par
ty. The paper concluded thus:
The record speaks for itself. The Amer
lean people who in 1886 accepted the
pledges OF that party will sit In judgment
upon Its fulnllment or the betrayal Of its
trust
At the afternoon session Of the civil serv-
ice convention there was a large attend
ance. Judge Rufus B. Smith. Of the SUI
pertor court OF Cincinnati, spoke OF tho
municipal situation in Ohio.
The paper on the Democratic Party and
Civil Service Refoun." by Hon. Moorfield
Storey. OF Boston, was read by Charles
Warren. OF the Massachusetts, Reform
Club. In the absence Of Mr.. Storey. In
part he said:
1T may properly be said that the Demo-
cratic party Is under q peculiar obligation
" pIoiuote The TeIOrLn OK CIVIL service. the
obligation felt by every honorable man to
repair, wrong which he has done. 1t
was the Democratic party under the lead
Of Andrew Jackson which first treated
the public offices as plumber. and which,
under him and his successors, cherished
the spoils system so lovingly as TO make
1t a cardinal principle of our government"
Then. reviewing the history Of the agita-
ton Of civil service reform down to the
passing Of the Pendleton bill. he declared:
ut was Democrat who lead the CON-
test. He was supported by the leaders
OF his party. and 1t was a Democratic VIC
bill"
OF President Cleveland's term, Mr..
Storeys paper says:
'"The loot Of the consulships which imme-
diately followed his reaccession to power
was a bitter disappointment. This. with
the removals Of fourth-class postmasters
and other departures from sound princi-
pies. excited indignant comment at the
time. and nothing has occurred since to
make us retract anything that was then
said In condemnation Of the removals.
Tho league adjourned 70 meet next year
in Boston.
The banquet at the ST. Nicholas tonight
continued until near o'clock