The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-12-17

Extension OF Rules to Library and Census
Bureau and Fourth Glass Post Offices
Reeommended-Address by President
schurz Last Evening.
Cincinnati, December 16.-The 10th an
nuaI meeting of the National Civil Ser
VICE reform League began session of
TWO days here today with Carl Sch1rz
presiding. The forenoon was devoted
to joint meeting of the general and Of
the executive committee with closed
doors. At the afternoon session Secretary
Geo. MeAnney submitted his annual re-
port, stating that President Mckinley
had consistently observed the civil ser
vice law, but that q determined assault
was being made against civil service
laws in Congress. The secretary recon-
mended the extension of the civil service
rules to the congressional library and
Tthe census bureau. The fouFth-class
postmasters would probably he reached
by consolidation. with other postal affairs.
Referring to the work by states, the
secretary said it was the general opinion
that the black civil service law in
New York would be repealed as 1t was
considered failure
Clinton r. Woodruff of Philadelphia re-
ported that the work of the league in
Pennsylvania had been futile, owing to
Senator Quay's controlling the Iegisla-
ture, which ignored all the pledges of
the Republican state convention for civil
service reform. So far as public senti-
ment was concerned MIR. Woodruff said,
civil service reform was in more hope
ful condition now than ever.
VIM. ID. Foulke of Indiana opened the
discussion on the proposed legislation in
Congress affecting civil service. He
thought the present agitation would
result in no change.
General discussion followed on the ex-
tension of the rules necessary to COM
sified census office, and on the further re-
form of the consular service
An elaborate paper on the merit system
in the programme of municipal reform
by DR.. Albert Shaw Of New York, was
read by Herbert Welsh of Philadelphia.
Adjourned until 10 O'Clock tomorrow.
Tonight Odeon hall was filled on the
occasion of the annual address by Hon.
Carl Schurz, president of the national
league, Judge W. II. Taft of the United
States court of appeals, presiding. Pre-
sident Schurz was frequently interrupted
by applause, especially in the closing
part OF his address in which he became
most vigorous in his reply to the recent
charges of Congressman 0rosvenor. AT
the conclusion of the address there was
rising vote OF thanks to Mr.. Scnurz.
Mr.. Schurz said:
The American people have hardly ever
beheld a rush for spoils of Office more
Gumultuous than that which followed
President McKinley's accession to power.
Nor have we ever heard more furious,
and, | may add, more disgraceful
olamor from party men for the breach of
party faith than that of Republican poll
ticians demanding the repeal or at least
the disem mbowelment, of the civil service
law by q President and majority in
Congress pledged to it's maintenance ana
extension.
~ know the excuse that is given for
this amazing demand. 1t is that Presi-
dent Cleveland's S administration had Tiled
a..great many positions which were not
in the classified service, with Democrats.
and then covered trem with the civil SER
vice rules in order to protect the new in
cumbents against removal. The civil SER
vice reformers bad not been sparing in
criticism and remonstrances when under
the Cleveland administration removals or
appointments were made which appeared
improper. But I do not hesitate to say
that the objection to Mr.. CIevsland's
great executive order made by the Repuh-
lioan spoils politicians is utterly futile.
That order did not protect any public
servant covered py it against removal
! proof of which is the simple fact that
considerable number of men have ac-
tually been removed. The effect of the
order simply was that if any of those
places were vacated they could not be ar
bitrarily filled by way of political or
personal favor with Incompetent or
otherwise unsuitable persons for the
order subjected candidates for such pIases
to competitive examinations. And this
is ths thing that troubles those represen-
tatives of the League of Republican clubs
and other spoilsmen of the same kidney.
''True to his honor as gentleman. 70
his vows.as Republican, and to his Cuty
as President of the United States, Mr.
Mckinley stoutly held his ground against
the fierce foray which was set on foot to
overwhelm him. He issued an executive
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