Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-20
HONORS CARL SCHURz
Resolutions Passed by Civil
Service Reform League.
GATHERING IN NEW HAVEN
Daniel C. Gilman of Baltimore Chosen
President.
OTHER OFFICERS ELECTED
GATHERING IN NEW HAVEN
OFFICERS ELECTED
Several Committee Reports Submitted,
Among Others, That on Consul
lar Reform.


the opening of the second days session Of
the National Civil Service Reform League,
DR. Daniel C. Gilman of Baltimore was re-
elected president. The new members of
the council are Nathaniel II. Davis of Ohio
Charles n. Gregory of Iowa, William v.
Kellen of Massachusetts. Jacob p Miller
of New York and John Read of Massachu-
setts. All the vice presidents and the old
council were reelected. Mr.. Vaughn or
Massachusetts submitted the report of the
treasurer. but as the fiscal year does not
end until December L the auditing commit
tee was authorized to receive the full
statement in print. The report shows in
creased contributions from state associa-
tons and auxiliares and larger surplus
than a year ago.
Several committee reports were submitted
to be printed. while members of the commit
tee made verbal reviews of the subjects,
which were on consular reform. on the ex-
ercise of the power of removal and on the
application of the merit system to the
higher municipal officers.
The following resolutions of respect to
the memory of Carl Schurz were adopted:
Carl Schurzs patriotism was so deep and
broad and energetic that 1t could not fail
to find effective expression in the espousal
and brilliant advocacy of many causes
which appealed, in his time. to the senti
ment of good citizenship. 1t is our duty and
pleasure. however, to record here especially
our recognition of. and gratitude for, his
great and exceptional service to the cause
of the reform of the civil service. Not only
did he show, in high executive office, the
possibilities and advantages of the merit
system, but as "a private citizen he was one
of its most convinced, most convincing ad-
vocates. so that on the death of George
William Curtis, he was deemed the natural
noble
bearer of the reform.
His immediate associates in the work of
extending and fortifying the merit system
desire not only to express their high esti-
nation of the value of his work in this i'm
portant field. but also their warm regard
and admiration for his personality and
character. While genial, tactful, and kind
1y. he was firm in principle and persistent In
purpose Unrelenting in his atttck upon
fraud and corruption. reluctant in the criti-
cism of honest opponents. always he up
held. with indomitabIe courage and with
singular and neverabating fire, the noblest
standards
To him citizenship was a religion. and
patriotism a never-dying passion-a patriot
ism that would purify and sustain the
ton for the benefit not only of its own peo-
pie but for all the peoples of the earth. He
will be greatly missed, but his example and
his ideals will remain national possession
forever.
Prof. Daniel C. Gilman of Johns Hop
kins University. In the course of his .ad-
dress, said:
ION the nth of August. 1881, there was
assembled in Newport. r. l.. what was
called "a private and informal conference
OF the friends of civil service reform. After
the conference had been opened by Mr..
Everett p. Wheeler Mr.. George William
Curtis of New York was chosen to preside.
Sixty-two gentlemen were present, repre-
senting thirteen associations. and among
the number were several who still attend
these annual assemblies, with undiminished
interest and enthusiasm.
"A perusal of the minutes of that con-
ference in Newport brings out the interest
Ing fact that the principles which we ad-
vocate this day were then as clearly rec
ognized by the limited circle who partici-
pated in the meeting, they are now by
the vast number of those. in every part OF
the country. who are associated for their
maintenance"
William Curtis and Dorman B. Eaton for
civil service reform Mr.. Gilman, continuing.
spoke appreciatively of the late Carl
Schurz. He then said
THE United States civil service commits
sion continues to maintain the high stand
ard of efficiency which was shown in its
earliest days.
THE most significant fact is this: That
the whole number of competitive positions
Is now 1S2 1925 Since 1888 more than a mil
lion persons have been examined, three
fourths OF whom passed the requirements
and nearly 10000 received appointments.
Contrast these figures with those at the
end of Arthur's administration when only
$500 places In the civil service were sub
Ject to rules.
"Of those who were thus appointed last
year two-fifths were persons employed in
mechanical trades; nearly one-half were
persons employed in clerical and SUBJ
clerical positions. watchmen, messengers
and rural carriers; 3 per cent were profess
sional scientific and technical employees,
and per cent were skilled laborers, other
than those employed in trades.
1.-THE latest report of the commission that
has been published shows what excellent
progress is making by the introduction of
the competitive system in states and cities.
The most recent reform action includes the
passage of a civil service law in Wisconsin;
in Illinois an extension of the merit sys-
TEN to all state charitable institutions, in
Guiding about l 900 employees, in Michigan a
system of examination has been introduced
by the state board of health; In New Jersey
the police and fire departments of cities of
the first class are brought under civil serv-
Ice regulations There are indications, of the
spread of a desire for civil service regula-
tions. although all the efforts have not sue
ceeded. Existing provisions in the various
states and cities are enumerated in this re-
port of the commissions. This chapter Is.
on the whole, inspiring, but there Is so
much detail that can only refer to 1t.
THE commission regards the policy OF
the post office department, inaugurated in
April 1905, which provides for the reten-
ton OF fourth-class postmasters during sat
isfactory service, as distinctly the most inn
portant administrative reform effected with
in the past year. The fourth-class post
masters constitute the largest class of en-
ployes selected without examination of any
kind. For many years these positions have
been treated as political spoils and appoint
ments made TO them with slight regard to
the best interests of the service
I'VE have the like reason for rejoicing
that the conduct of our affairs in the Phil
ippines has been fruitful of good. Porto
Rico has already come into line, and Ha-
wall leaves not much to be desired.
Considering the clamor for official ap-
pointment, / am rather surprised to notice
that the civil service commissioners regret
that the public service presents such slight
attractions to ambitious and well-educated
young men. While this may be regretted
we must remember that this state of things
Is not without its parallel In other walks
of life and in other countries. There are
certain minds contented. all their lives
long. with routine. Indeed, they prefer 1t.
1.-The most gratifying of all the advances
recently made is the extension of the merit
system to the consular service of the ma
tional government and to secretaries of
embassies and legations.
THE recent progress of the merit system
shows its firm establishment In the national
administration, It's introduction in our is
land possessions, its extension in the post
office department, it's approval in many
states and municipalities, its advocacy by
wise and enthusiastic leaders far and wide
through the country. In view of such gains
g. -