The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-10-14
Cleveland's Letter of Acceptance
Sound Democracy.

Grover Cleveland, the Democratic nomi-
nee for Governor of New York, has accepted
the nomination in a letter which must COM
mend him to public confidence. Much of it
refers to state matters, and is not of special
interest beyond the borders of New York, but
the following extracts bear upon general mat
tiers, and will meet with appreciation with
Democrats everywhere:
Public officers are the servants and agents
fthe people, to execute laws which the people
have made and within the limits of constitu-
ton which they have established. Hence the
interference of officials of any degree, and
whether state or Federal, for the purpose of
thwarting or controlling the popular wish,
should not be tolerated.
Subordinates in public places should be Sc
lected and retained for their efficiency, and
not because they may be used to accomplish
partisan ends The people have right to
demand here, as in cases of private employ
ment, that their money be paid to those who
will render the best service in return, and
that the appointment to and tenure of such
places should depend upon ability and merit.
If the clerks and assistants in public depart
ments were paid the same compensation and
required to do the same amount of work as
those employed in prudently conducted pri-
vate establishments, the anxiety to hold these
public places would be much diminished and,
it seems to me, the cause OF clvll-servlce re-
form materially aided.
The system of levying assessments for par
tisan purposes on those holding Office or place
cannot be too strongly condemned. Through
the thin disguise of voluntary contributions
this is seen to be naked extortion, reducing
the compensation which should be honestly
earned, and swelling fund used to debauch
the people and defeat the popular will.
PRESS COMMENTS ON THE LETTER.
Nep York Sun: "Mr. Grover Cleveland
does not need to make any defense or eXpla-
nation of his acceptance of the nomination,
and hence his letter is very unlike that of Mr..
Folger. He did not obtain his nomination
by forged proxies, or corrupt bargaining or
trickery, and hence he does not need to make
any argument about his conduct in the pres
ence of such things. In approving of the
Syracuse platform he gives his views of many
of it's provisions, and his remarks show how
well he has studied the ground upon which he
stands. Mr.. Cleveland's letter is plain and
practical throughout, well adapted to strength
en- him with the voters of the State"
Neuc York World s'There is no nonsense
about Mr.. Cleveland's letter of acceptance.
1t is calm and sober and sensible perform
ance, which at least shows that the head of
its author is not in the least turned by being
called from the mayorality of Buffalo to ac-
cept nomination for the governship of New
York. He discusses the issues in which peo-
pie are really interested in plain and prac
teal fashion, which will extend throughout
the State the esteem in which he has always
been held by his neighbors."
Neso York Times: 'Mr. Cleveland's letter
is, on the whole, moderate, non-partisan and
indicative of fair degree of political wisdom,
combined with the best of personal inten-
tionsn