New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-16
CIVIL SERVICE Reform LEAGUE
ANNUAL SESSION OPENED IN BALTIMORE
PRESIDENT CARL sCHURz CRITICIsEs
NATIONAL AND NETWORK
ADMINISTRATIONS


Baltimore. Dec 15.-The eighteenth annual con-
vention Of the National Civil Service Reform
League began IN this city this morning. and will
end tomorrow night. This mornings work was
confined 10 a meeting Of the members OF the Cen
eral Committee and OF the Executive Committee
the meeting being Joint one held behind closed
doors At the close the executive session It was
announced that nothing Of importance had been
Conc except TO authorize the appointment OF a
committee OF seven investigate charges Of vio-
latons OF Civil Service rules and to inquire into
the manner In which appointments have been
made by the War Department and In the consular
service the committee file its report in few
weeks At tho afternoon session the report OF the
secretary. Georg, McAneny. was read and APP
proved. after which papers were read on Colonial
Administrations Warning from SPAIN. by
| Henry II. Classic. OF Washington. and on Grim
inal Offences Among Federal Civil Servants IN
Maryland Under the Spells and Under the Merit
systems" by John c. Rose. United states DlstIlct-
| Attorney Of Baltimore
Mr.. Classic. In his paper asserted that the ac-
cession Of Porto Rico and the Philippines marked
a new epoch in the history OF the United States,
and that much might be learned by review OF the
| circumstances connected with Spanish rule In colo
| Mes especially In Cuba. He reviewed the history
OF Spanish rule IN Cuba. quoting freely from the
reports of various officials Of that colony. from
which ne drew the conclusion that many X not
all OF the evils which have resulted from Spanish
ficent pay 10 civil and military officers and from
improper methods In making promotions. BY avoi-
ing these Mr.. Classic asserted that we may not
only be able to provide a proper government for
the Antilles and the Philippines but at the same
time greatly improve that Of the country in which
live.
The following officers selected to-day: secre-
tary George McAneny. OF New-York: treasurer
A. s. FrsseIl of New-York. Executive Committee
William A. Aiken Of Norwich Conn; Charles j.
Bonaparte OF Baltimore: Silas w. Burt. OF New
York: Edward Cary, OF New-York; Charles Col
Inns of New-York; Lucus h. Swift, OF Indianapolis
Richard Henry Dana OF Boston: John w. Ella. OF
Chicago; William Dudley Fouke. Of Richmond
Ind; Richard Watson Glider Of New-York; Herbert
Welsh Of Philadelphia: William G. Low. Of Brook
Ign: DorInan h. Eaton. OF NewYork: William
Potts. Of New-York: Charles Richardson, OF Phil
adephla: Sherman S. Rogers OF Buffalo: Carl
Schurz of New-York; Edward NJ shepard OF New
York Mooraeld Storey Of Boslon wv Everett a
In the evening at Lehman's Hall Carl schurz
president of the League. delivered his annual ad-
dress.
! Mr.. Schurz said in part;
! At present we find ourselves much against our
YEAR now ending the cause Of civil Service Reform
has been less than IN the ny year Wnc
service especially In mind.
He spoke a, length about the National Civil Ser
Vice Concerning New-York he said;
The story OF that Governor Of NewYork who I'M
dertook take the starch out Of the Civil Service
succeed in taking out Of the Civil Service much
Of the starch 1t contained although thanks to the
| form In the State by no means as much as he had
intended. But now; having been dropped by those
| whom he had sought to serve (but. X seems. whom
| after all ne did not serve enough 10 keep their
favor, he will be succeeded by new Governor,
some Of US may differ with him is hailed by all OF
us changer OF cy seryr b Ref oas Sn
amply proved that in his composition there was
therefore Confidently expect that so far as his
| power reaches. shall not only recover the
ground temporarily lost under his predecessor hut
the cooperation between Governor Roosevelt and
faith and energy will be wanting and a there
is no doubt that the best part OF the intelligence
stands Behind them. happy outcome may surely
be hoped for.
In conclusion he said:
The present situation nay be summed Up ,It6 thus
redeem the pledge contained in the platform upon
which ii was eccted-not only to enforce me
also to extend 1t wherever practicable; and vari-
Gus abuses have been allowed 10 creep into the
effect Of multiplying the spirit and intent Of the la =
and OF the rules in considerable number OF case;
| 1t Is gladly acknowledged that the number Of such
is still so limited that IT may be spoken OF
as exceptional, But 1t has been large and con
people in the honest enforcement OF the merit sys-
tenn and to justify the apprehension tina. II the
| abuses complained OF be permitted TO continue and
to spread they, Will undermine the discipline OF
the service and bring back OF the worst evils
| which the Introduction OF the merit system was
designed 10 remedy. On the, other hand, recent
and OF the be
of the merit system IN stronger light than eyer,
opinion which steadily increasing in righteous
| power, will no: only not tolerate any backward
OF reform is wholly accomplished and firmly
founded.