New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-09
CIVIL SERVICE REBORN.
Meeting of the National League-A
Paper by Carl Schurz.

,1y-ttrg4on Dec. S-The twenty-fourth annual
,aation Of the National Civil Service Reform
Teoe1,e began here to-day with about five hundred
delegates from all parts of the country present
,his morning meeting Of the council. the execu-
+i,a body of the league, held, at which Charles
7 Bonaparte of Baltimore presided. This meet
ing was devoted TO routine business, and COM
rnittee was appointed to pay the respects of the
orsa nization to President Roosevelt The conven-
ton proper was called to order by DR.. Gilman, the
president The1e reports from the women's
auNIaries and from the organizations composing
the league. Mrs. Imogen B. Oakley. Of Pennsyl-
vania presented the report of the Civil Service
committee Of the General Federation or Women's
Clubs. At the night session Or. Gilman delivered
his annual address and ex-Commssioner Foulke
congratulated the delegates on the progress made
in the year. An address prepared by Carl Schurz.
who unable to be present because of an attack
of bronchitis read by the secretary Elliott H.
Goodwin. 1t was in part follows:
President Roosevelt's accession TO power prompt
~ brought a marked change for the better.
Having long been militant champion Of Civil
Service reform. he at recognized the threaten
ing Sanger and one after another he stopped i the
MS predecessor, had been opened to the INVASION
moyals or other drastic discipline Of Offenders
against the letter spirit OF the Civil Service
that this law not mere harmless scarecrow
but a lew with teeth and claws that must not be
case of the postmasters of Philadelphia and Of
desirable. But this is a matter of comparatively
small moment In view of the unquestouabe fact
ditions to the classified Service. but still by
undoing the mischievous practices which had crept
and by restoring discipline and inlusing whole
ident Roosevelt has greatly strengthened the re-
form cause ana prepared it for new onward move
ment
1t is. therefore. with full confidence In the Pres
dents purposes as Civil Service Lef1rmer e taGf
sprung up and which challenges examinla9d9n
rules in individual cases when a strict enforce
ment OF them would seem to carry personal hard S
best interests Of the service itself The frequent
occurrence of such OF late has attracted
public notice and given rise to some untaVoraoio
done by the suspensions OF the rules: But w9aiSs
harm may they not DO IN ts
cannot always expect 10 have convinced ana mn
tal chair. Must not lock for the contingency OF
that chair being occupied by President VINO GiS
enough about it to protect 1t with 3 strong Will
he or his political friends find in the record OF
suspensions. even it now stands. precedents, or
serve as justification for any arbitrary appoint
ment they may wish 10 make. thus eventuaIy
fore deVoutly to be wished that tho administration
suspensions of the rules from becoming preeedants
&c be used for such evil endsE The adnlniS;raIon
would thereby add to the many excellent things II
has already done for the cause of Civil Service Re
form another one. and, indeed one no less I'M IN
portant than any Of them and thus encourage the
hope, which we all confidently cherish. that II WI
carry the Work as lar onward as Executive aSNAS4
carry II.
President Gilman presented some data from the
forthcoming annual report of the Civil Service Com
mission showing that on June 30 the whole num-
Der OF places in the executive Civil Service was
nearly 100000. OF which more than one half were
competitive. In the year l33.06s persons were eX-
anned of whom 10s,T us passed and $3.50 were ap-
pointed. In the whole year there had been, he
said. marked progress in the observance. not mere
ly Of the letter but Of the spirit OF the Civil Ser
vice act and rules, and notable absence OF COM
plants OF political activity and assessments.
In the paper prepared by Mr.. Schurz he sharply
criticised any suspension OF the Civil Service rules
discussion has been caused by suspensions or the
rules in individual cases and special exemptions
from their peratlons directed by executive orders
60 as 10 permit the appointment OF persons other
The subject, the report says. forciby called
TO public attention by the OF James A. Du-
mont, formerly inspector Of hulls OF steam vessels
at Newly ork who was removed from oface by
President Roosevelt OF results OF the
Siocum disaster. When the administration chooses.
In this case the report continues, 10 set aside
sition through the exercise OF its arbitrary dis
cretion IL must be held responsible all unfort-
innate results for such followed more less
directly from its action in the particular instance
in question"
The report says it has been a source OF great
satisfaction to the council TO note the action OF
Civil Service Commission originally appointed by
him for that city charges preferred By the New
York association, and substituting for IL one be-
Heved TO be in greater sympathy with the principles
| OF the league,
| The report commends the executive orders Of the
President by which the classified service has been
! extended ana conBratulates the country the in
creased popularity OF the reform movement