Mister Speaker, I am not able to understand the mental organization of the man who can consider this bill, and the subject of which it treats, as fre… - James A. Garfield

The civil service can never be placed on a satisfactory basis until it is regulated by law. For the good of the service itself, for the protection of those who are intrusted with the appointing power against the waste of time and obstruction to the public business caused by the inordinate pressure for place, and for the protection of incumbents against intrigue and wrong, I shall at the proper time ask Congress to fix the tenure of the minor offices of the several Executive Departments and prescribe the grounds upon which removals shall be made during the terms for which incumbents have been appointed.

I am inclined to believe that the sin of slavery is one of which it may be said that without the shedding of blood there is no remission.

I am glad to have the opportunity of standing up against a rabble of men who hasten to make weathercocks of themselves.