The Portland daily press., 1884-12-31
CIVIL SERVICE REFoRM.
Comments Upon Gov. Cleveland's
Letter.
DEMOCRATIC CONGREssMEN AP-
PROVE HIS ACTION.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.-Hon. Dorman b,
Eaton, president of the civil service commits
sion, SAID to-day TO representative of thsr As
soclated Press In regard to Gov. Cleveland's
letter: " regard the letter as a deliberate,
significant and timely utterance of a man
VINO comprehends the situation and has the
courage OF his convictions and his duties, 1t
ls a platform on the subject to which it relates
Inc policy disclosed in the letter is that by
which alone his party can retain power OF the
country escape decay, and it shows plainly
that we are to have no mixed cabinet and no
tlmid or compromising policy but a strong,
positive, honest, courageous and absolutely
Democratic administration. 1t will be one of
CONVICTIONS and principles, in broad contrast to
the last Democratic admins istration which was
weak, cowardiy, evasive aud scornful of a
noble and growing sentiment, and was con-
seQuently ruinoUs to the party and disgI scsful
to the country. Place hunters of his party
may yet give him much trouble, ard perhaps
may oriDg their party near to ruin by their
greed for office. The Democratic party now
stands as IL did when Buchanan was elected;
where two roads separate, one leading to honor
and victory and the other to shame and defeat.
Its fate depends on its choice of rosds aud
leaders.
Under the new civil service law the Repub-
lican administration with a magnaniInit@ssn-
precedented in our history has given official
places to from 800 to 1000 of its political oppo-
nents. Will the Democratic administration
s,N'S oAN P~'AASs duN OOukASC ucOuou " IOl-
low that example? These are the vital ones
tions which that letter suggests, and whicf IN
part to it profound significance.
The Evening Star tonight prints brief inter-
views with number of Democratic members
OF Congress upon Governor Cleveland's
letter. Representative Ellis of Louisiana said:
cleveland has proved himself to be statea-
man of high order, he will trample out this
accursed spoils system, and pray that every
Democratic Senator and Representative may
gather around him and hold up his hands as
Aaron held up the hands of Moses''
Representative Holman thought the letter
Timely, manly and proper" 81 believen he
added, Governor Cleveland is entirely honest
and sincere, and that he Will faithfully cary
out the civil service law"
Representative Buckner of Missouri said
Governor Cleveland had done right iu spread
ing his views upon civil service reform before
the country at this time.
Representatives Springer, Hopkins, Brewer
of Pennsylvania, Nichols, Buchanan and
Dibrell also expressed their approval of the
letter.
President-elect Cleveland's letter in regard
to civil service was very generally discussed
by department clerks to-day. The general I'M
preston among them was that bnt few clerks
will come under Governor Cleveland's das:,s;;--
ton OF "non-partisan emnloyes. :, a there are
iew WING IsySS dot either Contributed to cam
paign funds, made speeches or taken active
part In politics, and it is argued by those in
terested that the letter means that all such
persons must 60.