Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-09

ecclesiastical and religious conditions to
the biographer of Gladstone and to the au-
thor of The American Commonwealth, OBJ
servers of political and social affairs. One
of them, Mr.. Morley, in his speech at Pitts
burg, has given us an indication of what
we may expect from him. After speaking
of the question of questions whether
moral forces keep pace with material
forces in the world of which this conti-
nent, conspicuous before all others, bear
such astounding evidence, he says there is
many sign of progress beyond mistake.
The practice OF associated action, one OF
the many keys Of progress. is new force
in a hundred fields and with Unreasonable
diversity of forms. There is less acquiesc-
ence in triumphant wrong. federation in
religion has been called the best fruit OF
the last four centuries, and in spite of the
few bigoted survivals, even in our united
kingdom, and some savage outbreaks OF
hatred half religious, half racial, on the
continent Of Europe. this glorious gain of
time may now be taken as secured. Per-
haps of all the contributions of America to
human civilization this is the greatest. The
reign of force is not yet over, and at inter-
walls 1t has its triumphant hours, but rea-
son, Justice, and humanity fight with sue
cess their long and steady battle for a wider
sway"
MI. Schurz Sounds Note Of Warning.
The address of Mr.. Carl Schurz was read
by Mr.. Elliott H. Goodwin, secretary of the
league, in the absence of Mr.. Schurz, who
was prevented from attending the meeting
by an attack of bronchitis. Mr.. SchurZ
supplemented the statements of Mr.. Bona
parte relative to the suspension of the rules
of the service in certain cases and sounded
this sharp note of warning:
We are told that SO far no present harm
has been done by the suspensions of the
rules. But what fncalculable harm may
they not do in the future If they are per-
mitted to stand as precedents! We cannot
militant friend of civil service reform in
the presidential chair. Must we not look
for the contingency Of that chair being &C.
cupled by President who disikes the
merit system. or who does not care enough
about 1t to protect it with a strong will
against the greed Of his political friends?
VIII not he or his political friends find
in the record of suspensions, even as it
now stands, presidents, or what they may
artfully construe as presidents, to serve
as justification for any arbitrary appoint
ment they may wish to make, thus even
tually wrecking the whole system? And is
it not. therefore, devoutly to be wished that
the administration should take an attitude
forever preventing those suspensions Of the
rules from becoming precedents to be used
for such evil ends?
Reception of Reports.
The session yesterday afternoon was de-
voted to the reception Of reports, as stated
In The Evening Star of yesterday Mrs.
Samuel D. Schumacher Of Baltimore, Miss
Marian c. Nichols of Boston and Mrs 8.
H. Loines of New York presented brief re-
ports from the auxiliaries Of the league in
those Places each Of which spoke of the
movement to teach the fundamental prin-
ciples of good government to the children
in the public schools and the work that is
being done to promote this work by the
auxiliaries.
Mr.. Ansley Wilcox of Buffalo, Mr.. @. v.
S. Michaelis of Cambridge, Mass; Prof.
Farnum Of New Haven. Conn; Mr. Max
B. May of Cincinnati. Ohio; Mr.. William
Reynolds Of Baltimore and Mr.. W. w.
Vaughan sof Boston each presented reports
from the branches of the league they rep
resented. After the hearing Of reports Mr.
Clinton Rogers Woodruff Of Philadelphia
read a paper on the extension of the COM
petitive system, and urged the inclusion of
the government of the District of Columbia
In the civil service Of the federal govern
ment.
This report was briefly discussed by Mr..
Henry Haywood Classic Of this city
The convention of the league will be
brought to a close tonight with the re-
ception to the delegates and their ladies
by the members of the local Civil Service
Reform Association at the New Willard
Hotel.