New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-10
MR.. SCHURZ's RETIREMENT.


1t would he ungracious to let pass unnoticed
the retirement of the Hon. Carl Schurz from the
presidency of the National Civil Service Re
form League. He has filled-not merely held
that Office for a number of years, and has done
therein q valuable work in behalf of honest and
efficient government. For such services the Ma
ton owes him thanks, more thanks than are
likely to be openly expressed. The refOrmer's
lot is not always a happy one. The hostility of
his opponents is generally more vigorous than
the support of his friends. He is misunder
stood maligned, ridiculed, denounced. These
things have been the common lot of reform
since the world began, and Mr. Schurz has
not escaped them But neither has he. we may
believe missed that sweetest of all the reform
ers rewards-the abiding consciousness of the
righteousness and of the progress of his cause
and the assurance of its ultimate triumph In
deed it has been given him to see, during his
own administration of the office he now resigns.
the beneficent success of the reforms he has
advocated TO a degree probably beyond that
expected by him when first he put his hand
to the work. Upon that he is to be cOngratu-
lated, and for it he is to be thanked.
The causes and circumstances of Mr.. Schurz's
retirement demand attention. He resigns for
political reasons. He has so strongly identified
himself with political opposition to and hostile
criticism of the present National Administra-
ton that there is, he thinks. danger of the sus-
piciOn arising that his conduct as president of
the Civil Service Reform League is inspired
thereby. He realizes that the prevalence of
any such suspicion would be fatal to the useful
ness of the league. In order, therefore, to
free the league from such danger he resigns the
presidency. In that, it may frankly and in an
entirely friendly spirit be said, he does well.
His retirement from the presidency is as be-
coming and as creditabe an act as any he has
performed while holding that office, and it will
serve to enhance the respect and regard which
all friends of Civil Service reform have so long
felt for him and the regret with which they
will view his resignation
1t is due to Mr.. Schurz to say that his course
as president of the league has been above sus-
picion Nobody attributes to him corrupt or
partisan motives for anything he has done His
structures upon acts of the Administration have
sometimes been mistaken. They were doubtless
sincere. and did not arise from mere political
hostility TO the Administration. That such con
fdence in Mr.. SchurZ's impartalty could have
been longer maintained, however had he
elected to remain longer in office is gravely to
be doubted. And that is not merely because
he has committed himself to opposition to the
Administration. 1t is because of the manner
and quality Of his opposition In his unhappy
controversy with the Secretary of the Treasury,
and in his even more unhappy attempt to ar
raign the policy of the Administration in the
Philippines, he has betrayed an nfrmity of
reasoning power. an righteousness of temper
ament, an inability to recognize important facts
which are recognized by his fellow country
men, and general lack of the logical faculty
and of the spirit of sweet reasonableness that
cal opponents to be regarded with less confident
| assurance than hitherto of its dsinterested and
| impartial rectitude. In such circumstances it is
| gratifying TO observe that he at least realizes
how completely he has himself ended his use
fulness in such a semi-judicial office as that of
| the president of the National Civil Service Re
! form League.