The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-20

New raven, conn, Nov. H.-INo seS-
slons OF the National Civil Service Reform
league. which is holding its 26th annual
meeting IN this city. made up yesterdays
program. In the afternoon a business
meeting was presided over by DR. Daniel
G. Gilman OF Baltimore, the president, at
which the annual report was presented.
At Woolsey hall last evening President
a. IT, Hadley OF Yale University was I'm
charge OF public meeting. Two ad-
dresses were made. the first by President
Gilman and the other by Secretary OF the
| Navy Charles ]. Bonaparte.
Resolutions on the death OF Carl Schurz
of New York, who was president OF the
league from 1898 10 1900 were adopted.
Both gatherings were attended by many
leaders OF the civil service reform move
ment east OF the Mississippi
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the afternoon session Mayor Studley
gave the address OF welcome. and Presi-
dent Gilman the response. The report OF
the council. read by Mr.. Dana. made ref
erence TO the fact that this was the 5th
anniversary OF the formation OF the
league. and that all the more important
branches OF the civil service are now in
cluded under the law.
The report states that the National
league Is al work through various com
mttees on administrat ton problems. while
another committee has under considera-
ton the subject OF approximation. con-
cerning which the general conclusions
reached are that the amount OF super
annuation Is very small, that no special
provision is necessary I'm the way Of pen
sions or superannuation funds OF which
the United States government is TO be
made paymaster. and that II anything
should be done the best method suggest
ed Is the Australian system OF compell-
ing new appointees 10 take out preferred
annuity policies under proper safeguards
The reports Of local associations were
submitted by delegates. That for Buffalo
was made by Ainsley Wilcox Archibald
NJ Howe reported for the Cambridge
Mass. association. G. W. Wilby reported
for Cincinnati. Prof. Farnam Of Yale for
connecticut, II. j. Milligan for Indiana
and w. w. Vaughn for Massachusetts,. V
Mott Porter Of ST. Louis reported for
| Missouri
For New York. Jacob r. Miller said
that every friend OF civil service reform
was looking with eagerness and hope to-
ward Gov-elect Hughes George Burn
ham. Jr., reported for Pennsylvania John
A. Butler for Wisconsin and Henry s
Pencoast for Luzerne county. Pennsylva-
MIA.
Three woman's auxiliaries reported,
Mrs. Albert Sioussat OF Baltimore for
Maryland. Miss Marian G. Nichols Of
Cambridge for Massachusetts. and Miss
Emily Il. Hutchinson for New York. Tho
report mentioned the operation Of the civ
81 service law on the Isthmus of Panama.
stating that possibly classification was
carried too Gar i'm the first place, consider
ing the difficulty in securing people 10
work in bad climate. Regret Is eX-
pressed that the engineering force has
been exempted from civil service
Immediately upon adjournment the del
egates went 10 the reception at the home
| OF Prof. Farnam on Hillhouse avenue
| EVENING SESSION
| In opening The evening meeting Presi-
dent Hadley cordially welcomed the deleN
gates. President Hadley said that ne con-
sidercd civil service reform one Of the
most important problems which is now
! being worked out In our administration Of
national and local affairs He introduced
| President Gilman. who. after culogizing
Carl Schurz and referring at considerable
length to the history of civil service re-
form, said
The most significant fact is this: that
the whole number of competitive posi-
tions is now lS2126. Since 1883 more than
million persons have been examined.
| thrce-fourths Of whom passed the re-
qurements and nearly 10000 received APP
pointments. Contrast these figures with
those at the end of Arthurs administra-
tion, when only 1880 places i'm the civil
service were subject TO rules.
"Of those who were thus appointed last
year, two-hfths were persons employed
In mechanical trades: nearly one-half
were persons employed in clerical and
sub-clerical positions, watchmen, messen-
gers and rural carriers; 3 per cent were
professional scientific and technical en-
ployes and per cent were skilled labor
ers other than those employed i'm trades"
The speaker concluded; THE recent
progress of the merit system shows it's
firm establishment in the national admin
istration, its Introduction i'm our island
possessions. it's extension i'm the postof
flee department. its approval IN many
states and municipalities. its advocacy BY
wise and enthusiastic leaders far and
wide throughout the country"
The following resolutions on the death
OF Carl SchurZ read by Richard Watson
Glider of New York. was then adopted:
carl Schurz' patriotism deep
and broad and energetic that II could
not fail to find effective expression i'm
the espousal and brilliant advocacy Of
many causes which appealed i'm his time
to the sentiment Of good citizenship. II
is our duty and pleasure, however. to
record here. especially our recognition OF
and gratitude for his great and exception
al service 20 the cause Of the reform OF
the civil service.
"To him citizenship was a religion. and
patriotism a never-dying passion. a pa
triotism that would purify and sustain
the nation for the benefit not only Of
it's own people but for all the peoples Of
the earth. lie will he greatly missed. but
his example and his ideals will remain
national passion forever
The other speaker was Secretary OF the