New-York tribune., 1900-12-14
CIVIL SERVICE PRAISED.
REFORM LEAGUE coAiMENDs THE WORK
DONE IN THE PHILIPPINES.

The tv-entiefh annual meeting of the National
Civil Service Reform League began yesterday
nj the CITY Club No 10 West Thirty-fourth-st
In the morning there was Joint meeting OF the
General and Executive committees. Charles j.
Bonaparte. Of Baltimore. presided. with George
MeAneny as secretary.
Mr. Bonaparts later read the report Of the
special committee on Civil Service reform IN
the dependencies. II recites the resolution call
ting for a non-partissn service adopted at the
nineteenth annual meeting Of the league AT
Indianapolis last year Qualification is eH-
pressed at the recognition OF the truths then set
forth by the National Administration. and the
desire shown 20 organize the civil Service IN
the dependencies upon the basis OF appointment
Cor merit and tenure during good conduct ana
efficiency
Further satisfaction is expressed with the
course OF the Philippine Commission by Whio"
n u he persevered IN the merit system "l'' Oe
established in the islands OF that archipelago at
least as thoroughly and einsistently as IN any
department OF government Federal, State or
M nicipal in the Union.
The application OF the law 70 citizens of Porto
Rico is discussed and, since the right OF the
Commission TO admit natives of Porto Rico 10 US
examinations has been questioned. the eoii'ihi'
zee suggests the advisability Of an arnendmeht
20 the rules which will permit this. al least IN
the esse % Offices 70 be exercised WITHIN the
ISLAND That its inhabitants should be debarreo
from competition for such places they regard
as wholly inconsistent with Justice and sound
policy. The report is signed by Mr.. Bonaparte
il Dane and William d. Foulke
The report Of the committee appointed 10 in
,,rsre into the action of the United States Civil
Service Commission in denying access TO It's
records was also read by Mr.. Bonaparte II was
referred for action 20 the Council, and was not
given out
The secretary. George McAaeny reporting for
the Committee on Congressional Action reierreu
a. particula- 70 the Veteran Preference Dill now
pending in Congress. 20 extend preference IN
Kppointnents in the civil Service TO veterans OF
the Civil War. or Of the Spanish American or
philippines war. over all other applicants who
are civilians. 70 which the league is strongly
opposed. as II is TO the bill 10 reorgsnize the
Consular Service now pending which in its
original form prepared by the CleNeiahu
Chamber Of Commerce in cooperation VIII VIII .ne
New York Chamber hut which has been re-
ported % the Senate with radical amendments
often cf unsatisfactory nature
The Rev Dr. William s. Rainsford who fol-
toVed. said
II We as citizens favorins the reform think that
SsT, Frest fools n YOU have travelled over this
great country; N you have gone into me ereat
sTeai state Of washington: IN fact IN al the
developed parts Of the country. YOU VIII ma men
Intelligent men. earnest men, who are earnestly
and honestly AGAINST this reform This you have
Fot 70 bear IN mind.
got 20 take of your coats ana work for II. You
have got 10 go into politics.
Or Rsinsford closed by sdmonshing his hear
ers that merely discussing the matter Of reform
was no way 70 bring IL about. but by fighting for
O. everywhere and spreading the truth
Mr. Scfurz announced that there would be
meeting this afternoon Al Carnegie Lyceum. az
which Bishop Potter would make an address.
Carl Schurz welcomed the delegates to q mass
meeting - the Carnegie Hall Lyoeum in the
evening He said the league and the local Civil
Service Association should be absolutely non
partisan, and that much harm had come from
false friends who pretended 10 be in favor Of
reform and were not He described the Office
OF the league and declared that II had thus
far deserved public confidence. repeating the
eulogy bestowed upon IL by the late George
William Curtis its president, in 1896.
Charles J. Bonaparte was next introduced.
". O. Foulke. OF Indiana, followed him. Mr..
Foulke pointed out that though there were ap-
parently deplorabe sethacks there was some
good resultant from them. He argued in favor
of the competitive system, and illustrated
his remarks by pointing 20 the Jury sys-
TEN. He applauded the colonial appoint
Tnents and the esta blishment Of the Civil Service
in the Philippines