New-York tribune., 1884-11-16
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM IN DANGER


1t is dncult to find any reason for the ap-
parent belief OF men like Mr.. George William
Curtis that Governor Cleveland as President
will rot cOuntenance a sweeping change III
the civil service of the country. The belief Is
certainly not founded on his career as Cover
nor. In no instance that we can recall has he
retained a Republican in Office where it was
possibe for him to give the place to Dem
ocrat.
Under his administration there has been
sweeping change in the civil service OF the
State He went even further than partsanshlp
reouired. in Republican county where there
was vacancy in the office OF County Judge
which had been temporarily filed by Governor
Cornell a change was made by Governor Clcve-
land and the Office given to Democrat. though
it was possible for him to hold it for only few
months. The only reason for placing an mex
perienccd man in such an office for so short a
time was the demand of Democratic politicians.
In every other case of that kind he appointed
Democrats Il temporarily to succeed RcpuDhcans
though he knew it was not possible for them TO
continue in Office longer than the few months
preceding an election. lie approved every act
passed by Democratic Legislature for the
purpose OF getting possession OF political
patronage; and nominated for immigration
Commissioner Mur'ha, a ring politician OF
Brooklyn, and the chairman of McLaughlin's
County Committee. For Captain of the Port he
nominated Mr.. Merritt, Queens County
politician. and eddie ToOhIll, Barney" "
Kenny, Bob Hall, and other ward leaders
for Quarantine Commissioners, llarbor Masters
and Port Wardens; and sent an angry
message to the Senate when 1t refused to con-
firm them Rather than nominate p Republican
he has allowed the Office of Immigration Com
missioner to remain vacant, thus entirely de-
fcating the operation OF the new law, and con-
Tossing that his only purpose in signing 1t was
partisan one.
With such record at Albany it Is no wonder
that the Democrats all over the country, hungry
and thirsty for spoils, are looking eagerly for
ward to the possible change of administration,
and are already attacking Custom House officers,
letter carriers and other Federal officials. as
has been done in Baltimore. Richmond, Indian
apolis and In many places in the South. How
Democrats in this State view this civil service
problem Ia shown in the following dispatch
to The Suni
FttIoSynIr. Nov. ~. In Wow ~ tho probable
election ~ Governor Cleveland the scramble for the roal
offices has already begun n IL asserted good auho-
iiv. that several Applications were sent Ia Mt ceve-
land ON the night o the an mat Al Fonda there
applicants nj Amsterdam tatt.en and to- cap ALL there
aio mo less than twenty applicants IN CanJohalie
hilly third of whom are wonen
In Indiana M Hendricks made speech os
scrllng thnt the only way 10 secure honest
officials VIA to iurn oul the men now In office.
Al. ..l.t.t
platform with Mr.. Hendricks. said
The t,u,s 4. near ai hand wban tho Democratic party
will have an opportunity Ia carry out VA eiofms The
plea Ia put up will turn Republican ofoehodefs
out or eourss We will TbIs has beon contest bo-
tween parties, The Republican psity, la iS twenty