Chicago have, with a few virulent exceptions, given up the fight; but in examinations for some of the higher positions there are often applicants who cannot be convinced that they are not entitled to stand at the head of the list, and so they go into the courts to obtain their "rights"; and in hearings under the "Removal" clause of the Act some of those who are removed by the Commission from the more important places immediately commence suit to get back, charging the Commission with varying degrees of ignorance or terpitude. A cursory examination of the court records about this time will probably demonstrate that the Civil Service Commissioners-while admitted to be fairly peaceable in their private relations-are, officially, about the most litigious set of citizens in the county.

Nobody should be blamed for bringing these suits. The interests involved are important, to the plaintiffs. The questions are comparatively new ones. It was inevitable that they should be raised, and settled. But many people in Chicago seem to forget that six years ago it was the universal practice to throw out a large proportion of the officers and employees at every political change in the city administration (and they were frequent) without any notice whatever, and to fill the places with the political adherents of the new administration. It was a common thing in those days to issue a general order discharging 500 or 600 policemen at one swoop. Nothing prevents it now but the Civil Service law-and its enforcement.

The Supreme Court has already held that the decisions of the Commission cannot be reviewed by the Courts, when the forms of the law have been observed. The judges of the courts in Chicago have sustained the Commission in nearly every case so far. The law department of the city, which has represented the Commission in these suits, is entitled to high credit for its diligent and successful work in the enforcement of this law.

In 1895, toward the end of the session of the Legislature at which the City Civil Service Act was passed, a civil service law was enacted covering some of the offices in Cook County. It did not cover all of them because such a law would be unconstitutional, unless it applied to all the counties in the State which should adopt it, and the county members would not consent to that. The law which was passed was possible, and constitutional, because it applies only to the offices under the control of the County Commissioners of Cook County, and there is a clause in the Constitution which allows special legislation as to such offices.

It was hoped that the operation of this law would serve as an object lesson, which would pave the way to the passage of a general County Civil Service Act. But the way which was being paved by the operation of this Cook County law-up to the last few months--has led in a diametrically opposite direction to the one hoped for. The wonder is that it has not irreparably queered the idea of any civil service law with the people of that County.

All this was changed last summer as the result of a quick, sharp campaign by the Citizens' Association; and now the County Civil Service Commission is composed of men of character and intelligence, who

are actually holding bona fide examinations, intended to disclose the merit of the applicants, rather than the cunning of the examiners, and are otherwise giving promise of the future enforcement of the County Act.

There is also a substantial start this year toward civil service reform in the State service. Two of the ablest members of the State Board of Charities resigned a few months ago, on the ground that the recently elected Governor had defaulted in his promise to favor the application of the merit system to employees in State institutions.

This may not seem to you a substantial start, but it is. It has awakened a discussion throughout the State which, I predict, will end only when Illinois has a State civil service law.

The report of the Committee on Resolutions was submitted and read by its chairman, Mr. Everett P. Wheeler of New York. General Aiken moved that the several resolutions be considered seriatim, and the motion was carried. The resolutions were then considered, and after some amendment were adopted individually and finally as a whole, in the following form:

The National Civil Service Reform League, assembled in Boston, in its twenty-first annual meeting.

I. Declares its loyal adherence to the true American principle which lies at the foundation of the merit system, of securing to every citizen of good character the right to compete for the honors and duties of public office, free from the disturbing influence of personal favoritism or party fealty.

II. It congratulates the country:

On the restoration to the classified service by the recent order of the President of some sixteen hundred positions in the War Department;

On the amendments to the Civil Service Rules-improving the character of the Indian Service-placing Rural Delively Cffices in the classified list-requiring officers of the government to attend and give testimony upon investigations held by the Civil Service Commission-preventing the abuse of collusive transfers-and prohibiting the payment of salaries to persons illegally appointed;

On the removal or refusal to reappoint officials who have violated the Civil Service Law and the regulations which have the force of law;

On the excellent character of the President's first appointment to the Civil Service Commission;

On the great victory for sound principles of government in the recent municipal election in the greatest city of this country;

III. It recommends:

That appointments to the entire labor service of the United States be regulated by rules as to registration similar to those which have been found so successful in the War and Navy Departments;

The extension of the competitive system to appointments in the municipal service of the District of Columbia;

The application to the Consular Service of competitive methods for the ascertaining of the fitness of candidates for appointment, similar to those now prevailing under the Civil Service Commission;

The continued enforcement and development of the admirable civil service principles which have been laid down for the organization of the public service in our insular possessions.

IV. It urges upon its affiliated or kindred associations, and upon all friends of good government, to oppose by all honorable means;

The incorporation in the classified service of those clerks in the Census Office who were originally appointed for a temporary purpose without the test of competitive examination;

The enactment of any legislation similar in character or purpose to the Veterans' Preference bill, defeated at the last session of the Congress. Let liberal provision be made for those disabled by sickness and wounds, and for the families of the dead, but let not public office be treated as an asylum for those less competent to fill it; the people being entitled, under all circumstances, to the best service that can be secured.

Mr. William R. Corwine, representing the Merchants Association of New York, then read a paper on the organization of the Consular Service,* reviewing the history and growth of the service, reciting the efforts that have been made from time to time to place it upon a business basis, and showing the urgent need for reform at the present time. Mr. Corwine

# Page 68.

was followed by Mr. Harry A. Garfield, Chairman of the Consular Committee of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, who outlined the bill now pending in Congress, introduced by Senator Lodge, at the instance of a representative conference of commercial and business organizations during the past week. The remarks of Mr. Garfield, and a report of the discussion following, are printed herewith.*

Col. Ela, for the Auditing Committee, presented the following report:

BOSTON, December 13, 1901.

TO THE NATIONAL CIVIL Service Reform LEAGUE :

The undersigned, constituting the Auditing Committee, appointed by the Council, respectfully report that they have examined the accounts and vouchers of the Treasurer and find them correct ; that the balance on hand November 30, 1900, was $45.55; the receipts from all sources during the year, $5.713.50; the disbursements for all purposes, $5,691. 51; and that the balance on hand at the end of the fiscal year on November 30, 1901, was $67.54.

On motion the report accepted and ordered filed.

Very respectfully,

JOHN W. ELA,
CHARLES RICHARDSON,
Committee.
of the Auditing Committee was
The session then adjourned.

FIFTH SESSION.

HOTEL SOMERSET,

FRIDAY AFTErnoon, DecemBER 13. The League reconvened at 3 o'clock P. M., the President in the chair.

Mrs. W. H. Schieffelin, President of the Women's Auxiliary of the Civil Service Reform Association of New York, read a paper on "The Interest of Women in the Work of the League." Mrs. Schieffelin was followed by Mrs. Henry Whitman, President of the Women's Auxiliary of the Massachusetts Association, who addressed the League with reference to the work and plans of that organization.§

Hon. John R. Procter, President of the United States Civil Service Commission, and Prof. A. Lawrence Lowell, of Harvard University, discussed the organization of the civil service in the dependencies of the United States. Their remarks are printed herewith.*

Dr. J. H. Hollander, of Johns Hopkins University, late treasurer of Porto Rico, then read a paper on the organization of the Insular service in that island.f

The conclusion of the meeting having been reached, General Aiken, of Connecticut, moved that the thanks of the League be extended to the Massachusetts Civil Service Reform Association, the Cambridge Association, the St. Botolph Club, to the Massachusetts Women's Auxiliary, and to Mrs. J. Montgomery Sears, for the cordial and generous hospitality extended by them to the visiting delegates, and that the secretary be directed to express to each the League's sincere and grateful appreciation. The motion was carried unanimously.

The League then adjourned.
1ttest:

GEORGE MCANENY,

Secretary.

A

DINNER to the visiting delegates was tendered by the Massachusetts Association at the Hotel Brunswick, at seven o'clock on the evening of Thursday the 13th. Prof. W. T. Sedgwick, President of the Massachusetts Association, presided on this occasion, and addresses were made by Dr. Daniel C. Gilman, President of the League; Hon. Carl Schurz, former president of the League; Hon. J. J. Myers, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives; Hon. Richard Olney, former Secretary of State; Dr. Charles W. Eliot, President of Harvard University; Hon. Patrick A. Collins, Mayorelect of Boston; Hon. John R. Procter, President of the United States Civil Service Commission; Representative F. H. Gillett, Chairman of the House Committee on Reform in