Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-12-21
ITS HONOR AT STAKE
OWL Service League Warns Re.
publican Party.
SAYS 1T MUST STAND BY ITS PLEDGE.
Attempts to Enbarrass AdministFa-
ton of the Law, to Repeal OF to
Modify It, Are Denounced IN
strong Language.

ton of the Law, to Repeal or to
| Modify II, Are Denounced IN
strong Language.
Cincinnati, Dec. 49, The National
Civil Service Reform league reelected
Carl Schurz president by reclamation.
The report of the treasurer. A. 8.
Frisnell. OF New York, showed: Re-
ceipts, s4,25495; disbursements, $685.
So; balance on hand, $376.l3.
Resolutions Adopted.
The report of the committee on reso-
buttons, which reported through Its
chairman, Charles j. Bonaparte, Of Bal
timore, was adopted as follows:
~ The National Civil Service Reform
league. assembled in this. its seventeenth
annual meeting. reminds the country Of
the specific and emphatic pledges Of the
last republican national convention thor
oughly and honestly to enforce the pres
ent federal civil service law. and to ex-
tend its operation wherever practicable.
The league confidently expects from the
president and demands from every re-
publican senator and representative q
faithful fulfillment Of this distinct and
solemn pledge.
~ The league denounces any attempt on
the part OF republican members of either
house of congress to repeal the law or
enbarrass Its administration. or any mod
ification OF its provisions. except to the
end that the merit system OF selection
for public officers and employees may be
extended and personal or partisan favorit-
ism In their choice more thoroughly erad-
icated, and declares such attempts not
only unpatrlotic and unwise, but gross and
shameful breaches of party faith OF which
no man of honor would be guilty.
(3) The league recognizes In the order Of
President Mckinley, forbidding removals
In the classified service unless for good
cause and after due notice to the per-
son accused, wise and Just measure, fully
Endorsed by an enlightened public opinion,
and 1t demands for this order a fair CON-
struction and a practical enforcement, with
adequate punishment for any officials who
may 'disobey or seek to evade its provi-
sions.
Urge nm unflinching Remittance.
~ The league respectfully urges upon the
president, and upon those members Of his
cabinet and of either house OF con-
gress who also desire to preserve and ex-
tend the merit system OF appointment IN
the federal service, the Importance Of an
unfiinching resistance to the impudent do.
mands Of men who wish its destruction.
The least concession to demands inspired
By such motives will greatly encourage
Inc9e men ana increase lnelE RS000y
clamor, while making resistance to such
pressure more difficult In the future.
~ The league calls attention to the fact
that in those states where the party now
dominant In the federal government has
sought in the resolutions of its state con-
ventions to qualify or evade the unequiv-
ocal utterance of Its national platform a.
to civil service reform the results Of the
late elections have clearly indicated the
disapproval of honest and patriotic cjti-
sens: The league further recognizes with
pleasure the steady and rapid growth Of
sympathy with Its principles and purposes
among enlightened and conscientious
Americans Of all classes.
(6) The league Indignantly stigmatizes the
mendacity with which the enemies Of good
government and pure politics. both In and
out of congress, have misrepresentcd the
practical working Of the merit system. and
their persistent repetition Of gross and
sQuently exposed, as insults at once to the
Intelligence and the conscience Of the
American people.
Want Census bureau Included.
"a The league demands that tho EN-.
ployes of the census bureau be selected
tor merit and fitness. to be determined by
fair. practical and thorough competitive
examinations under the direction Of the
civil service commission. With the warning
example Of the last census before its eyes
1t protests against any enactment which
may prevent or impede such selection a.
involving scandalous waste Of money and
sacrifice OF the country's interest. II
were better to have no census at all In 1901
than one taken by incompetent or UNI.
Trustworthy political proteges selected &C.
cording to the well-known methods Of 30.
called practical politics.
(O The league renews Its previous decla.
ratlons in favor Of the repeal OF the Law
prescribing four-year terms for many fed
eral offices, the extension OF the merit
system to the consular service and the
municipal civil service Of the District Of
Columbia, and the consolidation OF ortly.
ing with central post Offices. It expressly
disclaims any advocacy Of civil service
pensions as a part Of the merit system.
which contemplates such pensions no more
than did the syatem OF appointment and
removal by favor prevailing before the
merit system was introduced; on the con.
trary, the protection which an assured
tenure during efficiency affords to public
servants should enable them by the ex.
ercise Of the frugality and forethouRht dis.
played by all prudent persons to provide
out Of their current earnings for the ordi.
nary contingencies OF age and infirmity.
At the afternoon session addresses
were delivered by Judge Rufus B.
Smith, of the superior court OF Cincin-
natl; Charles j. Bonaparte, of Balti-
more. and others. After the usual votes
of thanks and some general discussions
the league adjourned to meet next De.
cember in Boston.