New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-11

MR. CLEFELAND And THE CIV III SEH|ICE'
The platform upon which Mr. Cleveland ran
and was elected contained the following plank:
. w. repeat our demand of 1881 for a reform
and notification of the Civil Service" The
demand of 1881 was in these words; 1--WE
"are in favor Of such reform by legislative
enactment, as we'll as by administrative
"actiJn, in the Civil Service of the country az
"wil substitute for the present periodical
scramble for spells a wise system of appoint
@ment and promotion by which the incumbency
of subordinate offices shall be regulated by
claw and depend upon capacity and character"
This sounds well. But did the Democracy
mean what they said Are the sentiments
above quoted to be understood as meaning
anything after as well as during the cam
paign7 Does Mr.. Cleveland intend to illus
trate Civil Service Reform il INSTRUMENTATION
as Governor We are led to make these in
ouiries thus early because leading DEM
ocratic organ has already expressed itself in
manner which would seem to imply that the
victory achieved at the polls on Tuesday is to
be utilized for the exclusive benefit Of DEM
ocrats. Here is what this organ says:
Yesterdays election disposes OF Quarantine Comm's
soners Platt Nichols and judd whose terms Of Office
expire next winter and spring of State Assessors
Weatherwax and Vedder, whose terms Of Office expire
next spring. Canal Appraisers Morgan Bosiwck and
Denlson whose of Office expire either next win er
ornext spring; Of Commissioner o. Public Works Ducner
whose term OF Office expires IN January next Of Auditor
of the Canal Department. Place Superintendent of the
Bank Department Hepburn superintendent Of Iusur
snce Fairnan aud Superintendent Of Public Instruction
Ginour whose several terms Of office expire next APRIL
and gives TO the ntG OF the state Democratic Adju
tant General and Democratic InspcctorGeneral with
| Democratic Inspector Of Rifle Practice
1t viii be seen that this forecast Of the Cleve
| land Administration is not conceived in the
spirit of Civil Service Reform. 1t is to be re-
rarded rather as a reafllrmation by example of
the long accepted Democratic doctrine that to
the victor belongs the spoils. Included in the
| list of those whom this party organ mentions to
the headsman are many capable, Trustworthy
and faithful officials. Does Mr.. Cleveland in
| tend to remove them, simply because they are
Republicans 1t may be replied that since the
Syracuse platform only speaks OF subordinate
Offices" Mr. Cleveland can fill ali the chief
places with Democrats without breaking the
partv's faith. Very e Cd /; then how about the
subordinate pOsitiOns2 Are the deputies and
clerks in the Bank Department, in the lnsur-
ance Department, in the Public Works Depart
for capacity and character is unimpeached
they will DO continued in the public service
under Democratic chefsY Audtf any of Gov
ernor Clevelands appointees undertake to re-
move worthy subordinates will they be pre-
vented by direct Executive interference And
how about the Legislative enactment" that is
to prevent " the periodical scramble for spolls ~
Who is to have the honor OF introducing it ?
Perhaps John C. Jacobs in, the Senate OF Eras-
tus Brooks in the Assembly
Of course Mr.. Cleveland understands that as
the official head of the party he will be held re-
sponsible for the conduct of the party during
the next three years If the Democrats Of
this State do not accomplish good deal OF
! Civil Service Reform during that period the
| omission will be placed to his account The
career of the present Democratic Legislature
! has not been such as to warrant any great ex-
pectatiOns of Civil Seryice.Reform from a Dem
/ ocratic source. But perhaps there is enough
! leavcn in Mr.. Cleveland to lcavcn the party
! that stood by aud uttered no protest while its
representatives were in Il deadlock growing
out of their inability to divide the "sabor-
dinate Offices so as to satisfy all their own
! rayenous appettes.