, 1882-11-18
Civil Service ReforA.

The following is the letter Of GroSer
Cleveland, recently elected governor BY
the Democrats Of New York, BY sS,oV,
setting forth his views Of Civil Service
Reform:
BUFFALO, Oct %.
Hon. George William Curtis and 9TH
ers, Committee, &c-GENTLENEN In
answer to your letter of inquiry, dated
Oct. 20, 1882, IN relation to Civil Service
Reform, beg to refer You to my recent
letter, accepting the nomination 70: Gov
ernor, IN which many OF the matters re-
ferred to In Your letter are touched ueoa.
and l assure you that the sentiments
therein expressed are sincerity and hon
estIy entertained, and are stated without
any mental reservation.
have no hesitation in saying that L
fully approve OF the principles embodied
IN the Pendleton bill relating to this Sub
iecs, and that should be glad TO aid In
any practical legislation which would give
them place in the management OF the
affairs Of the State and of municipalities,
SO far as they can be made applicable
thereto.
believe that the interests of the peo-
ple demand that reform In the national
and State administrative service should
speedily become an accomplished fact, and
| ,hat the public should receive honest ano
faithful service at the hands of well-htted
and competent servants.
Z L -, w A.
ged for the purpose of securing places Tor
professional politicians Of high OF low de-
nree, whose only recommendation for ao-
pojntment is their supposed ability to 90
partisan service, the people arc apt 20 be
defrauded by the displacement OF tried
I and faithful servants, well able to PEI
form the duties for which they are Psio
with the peoples money, and the substi-
luton of those who are unfit sn1 incoT-
petent. In this way the interests of tfo
party NAV be subserved, but the interests
OF tue people are neglected and betrayed.
This peraicious system gives rise to an
Office holding class, who, IL their parrish
zeal, based upon the hope OF personal Cd
vantage. arrogate to themselves an rESce
and zsischievous interference with th5
will OF the people in political action this
breeds the use OF dishonest and reprehen-
sible methods, which frequently result in
! the servants of the people debating 10
their masters.
i: places N tho public service are Worth
seeking, they should oe the Tewsr1 OF
merit ard well doing, end the opportunity
TO secure them cn that bass should oe
open 20 all These holding tnese places
should be assured tla5 their tenure ce-
pends upen tkeis efficiency ard fdeht. 10
their trusts, and they saouid lot &c 81
lowed 20 use them soI partisan purposes.
The money they earE they should rcoeI7S
ald te allowed to retain, and No part OF
it shouiG oe e4acted from them Dy way oI
political assessments.
II seems to r:e tia. very much c. al.
of shat We desire IN the direction OF CIV
| il Service Reform, l. InclUGed IL the Joc-
trina that the concerns of the State Ind
nation should DC conducted on business
principles, anG as nearly as possible IL ms
same manner as prudent citl1eh con-
ducts his private sf-i-e-
Ii this principle IS kent constantly In
mind, believe the details Ct pen By
winch ita adoption ,aay be oeccred vii,
gi,hout iarea difficulty, be suggested
iou -eier especially 10 Encouragement
in schools, asylams, and Institutions az
charity and correction, and 10 the ai.ticui-
ty IN securing the construction OF en- ad-
ditional adueduct IL the City o. Nes
York Without being fully acquainted in
de-aii with the evils and obstacles sCa-
rounding these Subjects, 4 oeiievo they
may be renedied .nd rewoye3 ~ Qua
regard to The Iiesstes OF hurasGi.y sad
decency, and tho application Of the p-in-
! cipies to which have alluded. YoGTs
very respectfully, GROVER CLEVELAND.