New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-03
MR.. CLEvELAND's REPLY.
MAYORS OFFICE

BUFFALO, y. u, Oct. IS, 1857. }
Hon. GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS and others. Committee
GENTLEMEN: In answer to your letter of inquiry.
dated October 90 1882 in relation Civil Service Re
form, beg refer you To my recent letter accepting
the nomination for Governor IN which many OF the mat
tiers referred your letter touched upon; and
assure you that the sentiments therein expressed are
sincerely ana honestly entertained and are stated With
out any mental reservation.
have no hesitation saying that fully approve of
the principles embodied Ill the PcndetOn bill eiatng
this subject, and That should be glad TO aid III any
practical legislation which wouI give them place In
OF the affairs OF the state aud OF NUM-
cipaes so far az they Cab be made applicable thereto
believe that The interests OF the people demand that
reform National and state administrative service
should speedily become an accomplished fact, and that
the pbc should receive honest anu faithful service at
the hands of we lifted and competent servants.
When contests between parties are waged Tor the pur
pose Of securing places for professional politicians, Of
high low degree, whose only recommendation for ap
pOinmtnt ~ their supposed dDt par laan SERVICE
The people to be defrauded by the displacement
faithful servants well aDle 10 perform the
duties Tor when they are paid with the peoples money
and substitution Of those wac are uhnt and incom
peent. In this the interests Of the partY may be
suOscryed but the interests OF the people are neglected.
and betrayed This perncious system gives rise To an OF
fcehOlug class la their partisan ZEAL based upon
the hope Of personal advantage arrogie 10 themselves
undue and mlscDleyous interference with the Will
OF the people in political action THIS breeds the use OF
dishonest and reprenenslDle methOds wAcn frequently
result IN the servants OF the people debating 10 their
masters. II places the pubic worth
ing hey should be tne reward OF merit aud well dong
and the opportunity 10 secure them that should
be open all Those holding places should Do as
sured that their tenure depends upon taer efficiency and
ndey 10 their trusts ana tney snoud moi De allowed
to use them for partisan purposes The money they
they sIOuld receive and De allowed 81 retan ana
no part OF should be exacted from them by way of DO
litcSl assessments.
1t seems 10 me that very much all OF what we de-
the direction OF civil Service included
In the doctrine that the concerns OF STATE and Ma
should conducted business principles ana as
nearly possible III the same manner that a prudent
czen conducts his private affairs II this Principe is
kept constantly in mind believe the details plan ny
wnicn its adoption may be secured Will without much
dilicuty he suggested.
You refer especially TO mismanagcment In schools
.yuns aud Institutions OF charity correction an
TO the difficulty securing the construction OF an add
tionai aqueduct In the city OF NewIork Without being
fully acquainted In detail with the evils and obstacles
surrounding these subjects, 1 believe they may be
reneded removed due regard 10 the dictates OF
humanity and deccncy, and the application Of the prn
ciples TO which alluded Yours, respectfully
GHONEK CLEYELAND.