New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-21
NAs-
better condition than It has been for the last
twenty-five years

better condition than It has been for the last
twenty-five years
MR.. KELLER CRITICISED.
Mrs. Lowell then proceeded TO criticize the re-
marks made by Commissioner Keller at the meet
ms Of the conference on Thursday night Speaking
Of his remark that he believed that better men
were secured by applying to the district leaders
than by the Civil Service reform system she saIa
because ne had at present no experience Of the re-
suits Of appointments under the spells system e
table and Penal Institutions WHICH has been Ids dis
tributed among you to-day. sets forth with sre ea
situations owing to the prevalence Of the spells
system That Is 70 say that the people VINO ,a are
not been chosen FOR their mental and moral auai,
sy eq Ss
that se are Jus. to ws the evils
resulting res s from nth this system are There many
here who better qualified to do that than my.
1t Is applied and especially shameful when It Is
crimes and the ks sos ,e and or
peculiarly fierce anathema for the politician who
nd 5e ssS s the
helpless unfortunate. to his villanous rule OF spoiis
politics.
DANGER IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM.
II is admitted in the report that the persons ap-
pointed under the spoils system do not necessarily
them feel the weight OF their solemn responsibility.
and develop considerable capacity. But It is also
observed that many do the reverse. and that there
IL in addition third class which Is not wicked
but inert and does Just enough work to claim the
salaries No deny that some good has re-
suited. but It Is in spite Of the system. OF which
the drones and thieves are the natural result The
system is calculated TO lead honest men into temp
taton. and 10 mako thieves and scoundres out OF
the weak.
VIA, is the remedy? 1t Is that all these things
must be taken out OF politics. And this means
that they must be put under rules that vigorously
merit system. and it is this that the civil service
reformers have been working for during many
But an examination OF candidates and the excu:
sion Of those who do not come up 10 the standard
eraI system, and did not exclude the undeserving
No examinations have been found TO exclude them
there should be competition open to all and the
prize for the bes, man All this Is readily admitted
cal workings. even in our own households.
POLITICIANS AFTER THE PATRONAGE
Why have the politicians been anxious TO APP
point to those charitable positions which command
little or salary. Simply because they govern
patronage. As soon as you take The patronage
away he positions will lose their charm
Charles T Lewis next spoke upon the prison re-
form work He at once attacked the position held
by Joseph H. choate In his address before the con-
vention Wednesday evening.
Mrs. Charles Ii. Low,li at once came again on
to the platform. and made a reply, Vigorously de-
Tending the amendment and the labor agitators
who had fathered f. The remainder OF the even
ing was devoted to fve;minute speeches for , or
Lewis and Mrs. Lowell The audience paid close
attention to the argument which often became
personal and the applause for the two factions
was evenly shared. Every one OF the speakers was
called account by the presiding officer for excess
OF time and the usual form Of beginning remarks
was. while having The. greatest respect for Mr.
=. must say he is laboring under a delusion l."
Among the speakers were Mr.. Chamber ain War
don NJ Michigan HOdRl1rd
Congressman Barrows. OF Massachusetts; Mrs
Lincoln. OF Boston. and superintendent Blair OF
the outdoor poor In this city A. length mem
ing that the speaking should be Withdrawn from
the family quarrel In New-York." and the furry
quickly subsidized