The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-30
TIE CIVIL SERVICE.
Correspondence Between the RefOrmers and
PreSident-Elect Cleveland.

New YORK, Dec. 29--The following CORE
Spondence explains itself:
NATIONAL CIvu-SERvICE REFORM LEAGUE,
NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 1854.
1.-THE Honorable Grover Cleveland:
'Sir-We have the honor to address you on
behalf of the National Civil-service Reform
League, an association composed of citizens OF
all parties whose sole purpose is Indicated by
Its name, and which takes no part whatever IN
party controversies. The vast increase in the
number of persons engaged in the civil service
and the grave mischiefs and dangers arising
from the general prescription in the service
which. for half a century, has followed changs
OF party control of national administration,
have produced so profound impression upon
the public mind that the first effective steps
toward reform were taken with the cooperation
of both parties in the passage of the reform act
of Jan. 16, 1888 The abuses which that act
seeks to correct however, are so strongly in
trenched in the traditions and usages of both
parties that there is naturally widespread anx-
iety lest party change in the national eXecu-
tive effected by the late election, should show
them to be insuperable; but, believing, as we do,
that the reform system cannot be held to be Sc
curely established until it has safely passed the
ordeal of such party change, and recalling with
satisfaction and confidence your public express
sions favorable to reform, and your official acts
as chief executive of the State of New York we
confidently commend this cause to your patriotic
care in the exercise of the great power with
which the American people have intrusted you.
Respectfully yours,
GEO. VIM. CURTIS, President
OWN PORTS Secretary"
1.-THE letter is also signed by the members of
the executive committee
GOVERNOR CLEvELAEDs REPLY
To this letter President elect Cleveland re
sponded as follows:
'ALBANY Dec. IS, 1884
Hon. Geo, VIM. Curtis, President, etc.
'tDear Sir--YOi1p communication dated Dec
20, addressed to me on behalf of the National
Civilservice Reform League has been received.
That practical reform in the civil service is de-
manded is abundantly established by the fact
that the statute referred to in your communica-
ton, to secure such result, has been passed in
Congress by the assent of both political parties,
and by the further fact that sentiment is gen
orally prevalent among patriotic people calling
for fair and honest enforcement Of the law
which has thus been enacted | regard myself
pledged to this, because my conception
of true Democratic faith and public duty
requires that this and all other statutes
should be- in good faith and without evasion,
enforced and because, in many utterances,
made prior to my election as President, and ap-
proved by the party to which belong, and
which [ have no disposition to disclaim, l have
in effect promised the people that this should
be done. 1 am not unmindful of the fact to
which you refer-that many of our citizens fear
that the recent party change in the national ex-
ecutve may demonstrate that the abuses which
nave grown up IN the CIVIL service are 1nefau-
icable. 1 know they are deeply rooted and that
the spoils system has been supposed to be init
mately related to success in the maintenance OF
party organization. L am not sure that all
those who profess to be friends of
this reform will stand firmly among
its advocates when they find it obstructing
their way to patronage and place; but fully
approaching the trust committed to my charge,
no such consideration shall cause relaxation on
my part of earnest effort to enforce this law
There is a class of government positions which
are not within the letter of the civlservlce stat
ute, but which are so disconnected with the poll
cy of an administration that removal therefrom
of the present incumbents in my opinion, should
not be made during the terms for which they
We're appointed, solely on partisan grounds, and
for the purpose of putting in their places those
who are in political accord with the appointing
power. But many now holding such positions
have forfeited all just claim to retention because
they have used their places for party
purposes, in disregard of their duty
to the people, and because, instead
OF being decent public servants, they have proved
themselves offensive partsans and INSCRIPTIONS
manipulators of local party management. The
lessons of the past should be unlearned, and
such officials, as well as their successors should
be taught that efficiency fitness and devotion to
public duty are the conditions of their eontinu-
ance in public places, and that quiet and I'M
o6tFusive exercise of individual political rights
is reasonable measure OF their party service. If
l were addressing none but party friends, /
should deem it entirely proper to remind them
that, though the coming administration is to be
Democratic, due regard for the peoples inter
est does not permit faithful party work to be al
ways rewarded by appointment to Office, and to
say to them that while the Democrats may
pect all proper consideration, selections for Office
not embraced within the civilservice rules will
be based upon sufficient inquiry to fitness, in
stituted by those charged with that duty, rather
than upon persistent i'm portunity or sef-solcited
recommendations on behalf of the candidates for
appointment Yours very truly
'CRovER CLEVELAND"
A Desperate from the Flowery Land.