rvice question. Although politicians have undertaken to ridicule
and belittle the efforts of President Hayes to bring about some
sort of civil service reform, yet the necessity of such a reform
is so ingrafted in the minds of the leading sensible people of the
northern states that anything like an abandonment of that idea will
not meet favor. I agree with you that it can only be done by the
co-operation of Congress, and it would be a great stroke of public
policy if Congress could be prevailed upon to pass a law prescribing
a reasonable tenure for civil office, with such guards against
arbitrary removals as would make the incumbents somewhat independent
in their opinions and actions. I had a conversation with Fletcher
Harper, at Long Beach, on Saturday, which leads me to think that
he is anxious upon this subject and also upon the financial
question.

"The silver law threatens to produce within a year or so a single
silver standard, and already there is a feeling of uneasiness in
New York as to whether we can maintain resumption upon the gold
standard while the silver law remains. I could at any moment, by
issuing silver freely, bring a crisis upon this question, but while
I hold my present office I certainly will not do so, until the gold
reserve is practically converted into silver, a process that is
going on now at the rate of nearly two millions a month. I have
no fear, however, of being forced to this issue during my term,
and I hope Congress will come together next winter in such temper
that it may arrest the coinage of the silver dollar, if it will
not change the ratio. This question, however, is a very delicate
one to discuss in popular assemblages, and I propose, therefore,
in my speeches, to make only the faintest allusions to it, not
surrendering, however, our views upon the subject, for upon this,
I take it, we are entirely agreed.

"I feel very hopeful of success. In this state business men are
generally satisfied, and your support is so strong that, even if
inclined, the Conkling Republicans will not dare oppose or shirk
the contest. I hear different stories about Conkling, but believe
that in due time he will do what he can, though his influence is
greatly overrated. A too active support by him would excite the
prejudices of hosts of people here who are determined not to follow
where he leads.

"Very sincerely yours,
"John Sherman.
"Hon. James A. Garfield, Mentor, O."

After the 19th