The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-11-19
President Eaton, Of the Civil Serv-
see Commission, Interviewed.
He Expresses a High OpiHion of Pres.
ident.Eleet Cleyelana's Honesty,
Courage and Fidelity.
Thoman, the Democratic Member
of the Commission, Is Also
Interviewed.
CLEVELAND AND REFORM.

AN Associated Press Reporter Interviews
Eaton, the President of the Civil Service
Commission, and the Democratic Mem
ber of It, Judge ThcmaD, as to Cleve-
lands Probable Policy.
WAsHISGToS, Nov, l6.-The views Of Hon.
Dorman B. Eaton, President of the Civil
Service Commission, in regard to the UroDa-
bic effects of Cleveland and Hendricks elee-
tien uponIthe maintenance of thecivil service
law has been obtained by representative Of
the Associated PressSand are given in the
following report OF the interview:
Question-"You are from New York, Mr..
Commissioner, and know what Governor
Cleveland has done there for civil service
reform. Please give the Associated Press
the facts, and your views as to what he is
likely to do relative to removals and the
civil service act and rules"
Mr.. Eaton-''These are very delicate ques-
tlons for one in my position to answer. l
have taken no part whatever in the late
campaign. have the least right to assume
10 speak for Governor Cleveland or
his party. Having acted with the Re-
publican party from its origin, / can
hardly speak without some party bias.
Nevertheless / will frankly tell you what
think. We shall have an administration
absolutely Democratic in policy, but whether
with q member represent ting those without
whose votes the Democratic party would
have failed | will not guess. Bat the
civil service act will not be repealed
either at the coming session or during
this generation. Governor Cleveland and
the statesmen OF his party would oppose
any attempt to repeal il. The Republicans,
as body, would resist, snd the Senate
would defeat such an attempt. The rules
will not be abolished. They will be en-
forced under the new President, but not,
fear, with such enlarging breadth OF appii-
catisn and such moral support from the
party in power as would have been the case,
certainly, had President Arthur been re-
elected, and probably had Mr.. Blaine sue
ceedeG. The disinterestedness and patriot
divided between the great parties,
pat in my opinion my party
has much the larger part of intelligent con-
yicti0n, which has thus far supported civil
service reform. Great numbers of persons
in the Democratic ranks are so prsiudiced
and uninformed on the subject that they
viii clsmor for removals for the sake of
patronage They do not comprehend that
party which could elect its candidate only
by the aid Of Republican friends that re-
form hss DO chance if it alienates these
friends IN the futuIe when they are sure TO
be FAR more numerous and powerful than
now. They still believe in the old proscrip-
tive spCils system, not comprehending that
it is doomed; and caring more, as do many
Republicans also, of four years saturnalia of
sPoils, than fer sll the future beyond that.
A great struggle over the reform issue in the
Democratic ranks is therefore certain. The
statesmen Of the patty, Bayerd, Psndieton,
Lamar, Garland, Carlisle, Cox, Morrison,
Tucker Hewitt, Willis aud Others, each of
whom has already spoken and voted for the
,sv-rn =
ident in Its support but many worthy
Democrats, and all demagogues, spoilsmen
and the rabbie OF the party will be against
it. Republicans will stand together for the
act and rules, anxiously waiting for the
Democrats TO ruin themselves by their abro.
cation. The President Will lead the reform
element Of his party, and hisclear convictions
and his high sense of duty, his courage his
strength OF character, viii secure the vic
tory. There is no public man in this coun-
try who has a higher sense Of the moral OBJ.
legations of official life, or who is more GER
tain 70 Withstand mere partisan and selfish
appeals, than Governor Cleveland. This is
a great element OF power, and popularity
too, as the people now feel. And lest my
motives be misunderstood, let me add, that
he has never done me favor and that l
could neither ask nor accept one at his
hands. any officers outside of the rules
and some within, will doubtless be
removed for no very good reason. But so
far as possible, Governor Cleveland will pre-
vent meEe political prescription. He can
not attend to everything. Much will de-
pend on the members of his Cabinet espe-
cially on the Postmaster General. II there
are, as is charged, some officers who have used
their lDhuence 10 enforce esses5ments, and
neglected their duties and violated the pro.
prieties OF their stations 10 engage in party
warfare, the fate they have challenged may
very likely swat them. II persons are 10 be
selected for public work irrespective of poll
tics, they had better attend TO that work and
not meddle with elections"
Qnestion-"What has Governor Cleveland
doDe in New York Is warrnt this estimate
OF him?'
buffalo was q city almost as
partisan, as lsEIess and badly governed
assCincinnati. Upon being made Sheriff,
M. Cleveland exhibited those qualities
which are being more and more needed and
app sciated by the people. They compre-
beOdsd and approved his spirit. He was
eleceed Mayer by votes from both parties in
that Republican city. His life as Mayor
was continuous struggle for honesty
and aiGelity ia the Office against
jobbers, s2oiIsmen and partisans who had
long pzeyed on the city. He mastered the
situation snd became known as the Veto
Mayor His fearless way OF dealing with
them is shown by the language OF his Veto"
Commissioner Eaton here quotes from
Governor Clevelsnd's messages from his let
ter accepting the Gu bernatoriai nomination,
and from ot,ler communications 10 show his
decisive and uneeuivocal endorsement OF
the civil service act, and pays high tribute
to the honesty and non-partisan business ca
packy of the GovernoE as evidence OF his
administration Of affairs in the State of New
York and continues IS follows:
The rapidly growing reform sentiment
OF the country has been demanding more
honesty, courage and administrative capac-
tty. with less politics IN executive places.
Governor Cleveland has the distinction of
being the fret man since Washington who
has been elected President because be pos
sessed those qualities in 3 pre-eminsnt de-
gree. They bsye sdTsnced him more rapidly