Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-25

Former Governor Waller was not the least backward in saying at the ban quet of the Connecticut Civil Service Reform association that he was agree ably surprised at the class of men that made up the organization, and that instead of being a body of cranks with single idea that they represented the best there was in the land. and that they smoked cigars and did all the other things incidental to such gathering, just the same as the rest of the citizenry. He illustrated, that a man could be good democrat and civil service 5reformer at the same time, claimed that the civil service movement was inaugurated by Jeff ferson and upset " the Jackson de- claration that ito the victors belong the spells" He also gave the informa- tion that the first to introduce civil service law into the national govern ment was Senator George H. Pendle- ton, a democrat. He then referred to his own civil service action as gov ernor of the state and as consul gen. eral to London. The governors say ings were listened to attentively and were full of interest but it was evil dent that even if Col Norris G. Osborn was toastmaster, that speech did not reach many democrats, and gave the impression that the majority of the civil service reformers present were not of that political faith. and that after all there Is a tinge of poli- tics in almost every movement of re- form, even civil service reform.
 Of course the governor and what he said was cordially received. but there was a lack of that hearty applause that always greets the pointed utter ances of the gifted ex-governor. Had there been more democrats present fbaro xUnr1l6 0arfafr1xy bo applause when the claim was made that democrats were responsible for the introduction of the civil service reform movement, even if they were not permitted to make the laws ef- fective. Gov. Waller acknowledged that it was his first meeting with the civil service reformers and could not resist getting all credit for the polit- ical party in which he was born. He twas the only speaker who referred to any especial party in the work of re- form and he did if in such clever style that no offence could be taken by the most conscientious of civil service re- formers. The governor said he was firm believer in the merit system of public office holding. just as were the rest of the reformers. as it would cer- tainly result in the better government of the nation, state, city and town. He is able to fit in on any occasion as 8 public speaker and his originality is almost on par with his conceded oratorical power and true eloquence.
 Gov. Waller was not the only New Londoner who spoke at the reformers' president. following the prayer by Pastor McNally. another reformer, in the introduction of the toastmaster, Mayor Bryan F. Mahan made a gem of a spech. He. too, evidently not for getting instruction received in the old Union street schoolhouse, adhered to the maxim. When in Rome, do as the Romans do." The mayor was not believer in permitting politics to play any part In city government after the settlement of party politics at the,
 He said he was believer in ad- ministering. public matters for the best interests of the whole people, and that no. consideration should be given to politics in the appointment of public afficers and that he was a believer in civil service reform and that merit and fitness" would prevail fer the next three years in local municipal mat ters. He declared that he had not and would not during his term of office make an appointment for political reasons. but as a civil service reform CT ne would nave the c1ty ofnces nlleo by the most competent available can didates. This will be cheering infor- nation to the present highway com missioner and perhaps few other of- ficeholders.
 The pitytis that the mayor did not hold these. views when Fred Wash burne, thoroughly honest and capa- bIe accountant; was removed from the office of auditor to make room for Fred Fengar. Still this change may not have been caused for political req sons. but no one can be found in New London who doubts "the merit and fit- ness" of Fred Washburne as city aud- itor. But that is ancient history, and