Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-12-30
Cleveland and Civil Service Reform

tional Civil Service Reform League, Decem-
Der Goth, addressed letter to President
elect Cleveland, in which they announced
u fear that the new Administration might
not carry out the provisions of the Civil
Service Act, and expressed a hope that this
would not prove to be the case. To this
Mr.. Cleveland replies as follows:
ALBANY, December %, 1884.
Hon. George William Curtis, President-DEAR
SIR Tour communication, dated December
Doth, addressed to me on behalf of the National
Civil Service Reform League, has been received.
That practical reform in the civil service Is de-
manded is abundantly established by the tact
that the statute referred to III your communlca-
ton was passed in Congress with the assent OF
both political parties, and by the further TACT
that sentiment is generally prevalent among
patriotic people calling for fair and honest
enforcement of the law which has been thus
enacted | regard myself pledged to this, be-
cause my conception of true democratic faith
and public duty requires that this and other
statutes should be in good faith, and without
evasion, enforced, and because III the manly ut
teranceS made prior TO my election as President,
approved by the party to which l belong, and
which have no disposition to Glsclaim, have
in effect promised the people that this should
be done. | am not unmindfrll of the fact, to
which you refer. that many of your citizens
fear that the recent party change i'll the national
Executive may demonstrate that the abuses that
have gloWn up in the civil service are lneradlca-
BILE know they are deeply rooted, and that the
Spoils system has been supposed to be intimate
ly related to success in the maintenance OF party
organization, and ! am not sure that those who
profess to be friends of that form will stand
firmly among its advocates when they ma II OBJ
structing their way to patronage and place but
fully approaching the trust committed to my
charge, no such consideration shall cause re
taxation ON my part of an earnest effort to ell
force this law. There is class of Government
positions which are not within the letter OF the
,ssaA
nacted with the policy of an Administration
that a removal therefrom of the present ncu1l-
bents, in my opinion, should not be made
during the terms for which they were appointed
solely on partisan grounds, and for the purpose
of putting i'll their places those who are i'll po-
litical accord with the appointing power: but
many now holding such positions have forfeited
all Just claims TO retention, because they used
their places for party purposes III disregard OF
their duty to the people, and because, instead OF
being decent public servants, they have proved
Themselves offensive partlsans and unScrupu-
lOus manipulatorS of local party management.
The lessons of the past should be unearred.
Such officials as well their successors, should
be taught that efficiency, fitness and devotion to
public duty are conditions of their continuance
in public place, and that quiet and unobtru-
sive exercise of individual political rights
is the reasonable measure of their party
service. If | were addressing none but party
friends, should deem 1t entirely proper to re-
mind them that though the coming administra-
ton Is to be Democratic, Il que regard lOf the
peoples interest does not permit faithful party
work TO be always rewarded by appointment 10
office, and to say to them that While Democrats
may expect all proper consideration, the seec-
tons for office not embraced within the civil
service rules will be based upon a sufficient H.
qUiry as to fitness. instituted by those charged
with that duty, rather than upon persistent i'm
pOrtunity or Selfs0licited recommendation on
behalf OF candidates for appointment. Yours,
very truly, GROVER CLEVELAND.
The Trouble in the Signal Corps.
WASHINGTON December 29th.-General
Hazen, Chief Signal Officer, has submitted
to the Secretary of War charges against
Assistant Acknowledgement Mckeeyer for
having made derogatory remarks concern
ing the management of recent Arctic eXpe-
ditionS. The charges relate entirely to
General Mckeever's alleged comments on
the course pursued by Lieutenant Greedy,
and no reference is made III them to what
General Mex eever is alleged to have said
of the Chief Signal Officer The Secretary
of War has recommitted to the Chief Sig
nal Officer the charges preferred by him
against Sergeant Otto Holtnorth, Of the
Signal Service, of conduct unbecoming an
officer and gentleman, and having tam
pered with the private mail Of Lieutenant
Greedy, with instructions to detail Court
martial for his trial.
Honors to Sam Randall.
LOUISVILLE. December 29th.-At noon
to-day Samuel J. Randall was formally
welcomed to Louisville at the Board OF
Trade rooms. John f. Green delivered
the address Of welcome, at the conclusion
OF which he introduced the distinguished
visitor, who responded in brief speech
which stated that he came South to study
Il ,,n.l.- E Ia
people, their resources and industries. He
spoke of the incoming Administration
promising prosperity, peace and plenty fol
the American people. Congressman Nc.
Adoo followed in brief talk on the inter
ests of the country in general and tht
South in particular. At the conclusion o
the reception Randall and party were
driven 10 the Pendennis Club-rOoms, where
he was dined by the club.
The Hooking Valley Situation.
CoLuMBUs tOhio), December 20th-Presi
dent Mcbride of the State Miners Associa
ton, has issued a call fer Convention il
this city January eth, to consider the situa
ton in Hooking valley. The operators
claim that the strike is practically over
and they now have nearly all the miner:
they can accommodate. Between thirty
and forty old miners went to work to-day
at the reduced rate of 40 cents.
Our Glorious Climate.
New YORK, December 29th.-The World
says of Baldwin's horses: No greater proof
can be had of the revivifying effects of the
glorious climate Of California than the per
formances of Rapido. Freda, Gano and
Lucky b. at the November meeting of the
Pacific Coast Blood Horse Association ovel
the Bay District Course.
New York i'll Il Fog.
New YORK, December 29th.-The heavy
fog which settled over the city yesterday is
now denser than ever, Ferryboats are run
with difficulty, and incoming steamers do
not trust themselves within the bar YES
sells of all sorts are waiting the lifting OF
the fog before starting.
Terrific Gas Explosion.
AUGUSTA (Me.), December 29th.-This
morning at Il o'clock an explosion occurred
in the otfice-buildlng of the Augusta Gas
Light Company, adjoining the works in
this city, demolishing the two-story brick
structure and wounding three worlmen.
The explosion was caused by the accidental
lighting of gas in one of the large mains.
Two OId-Time Sports.
New YORK, December 29th.-Jack Nc
Donald. made famous by scconding
Heenan. the "Benicia Boy in his fight
against Tom Savers in 1860, is now lying
dangerously i'll of paralysis.
Plunger" Walton is going to take up
his residence at st. Louis, and says he is
done with the turf forever.
Marine Disaster Feared.
New YORK. December 29th.-It is gen
eraIlv believed at Islip and Babylon, L. /,
that a steamer went ashore near Fire
Island last night in a dense fog. Guns and
whistles were heard distinctly up to noon
to-day. Nothing has been heard from the
beach. The fog still continues.
New York Stock Market.
New YORK, December 29th.@Stocks OPP
ened weak. and declined from to | J, the
latter in Delaware and Hudson, which sold
down to IS. Near II o'clock a rally of from
to took place and after that hour stocks
continued firm, except Lackawanna, which
was barely steady. New York Central was
the feature.
Threcs, 101!; -and-a-halfs, 1l2f /;
tours, coupon, 1921 Pacific skies, ia {;
Central Pacific, 334 Burlington, 115l +;
Northern Pacific, l63 Northern Pa
cific, preferred, 10; Northwestern, S33 ;
New York Central, S44 Oregon Naviga-
iton. 70i; Transcontinental, IA; Pacific
Mail, 55l Panama, 9S; ST. Louis and San
Francisco, Is; Texas Pacific, l2s Union
Pacific 4Ss Wells-Fargo Express, l07 ;
Western Union, SOL.
NEW York, December 29th-2 ?. NJ
Stocks are depressed this afternoon, especi-
ally the Changers and Union Pacific The
Changers are lower on account of unfayor-