The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-12-31
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The League Addresses q Communication
to the PresidsDt-Eleet on the Subject
His Reply Thereto.

to the PresideDt-Elect on the Subject
His Reply Thereto.
New YoRK, Dec 29.-The following CORE
spondence explains itself:
NATOEAL CIVIL SERVICE REFoRX LEAGUE, J
UFFJCE PINE STREET, NEw Y0RK, :
December 20, 1Ss4
To Hon. Grover Cleveland;
sIR-We have the honor to address you on be-
half of the National Civil Service Reform League,
an association composed OF citizens ofsn parties,
whose sole purpose is indicated Dy its name, and
which lakes no part whatever Ia party controver-
sizes. The vast increase in the number of persons
engaged IN the civil service, aud the grave mis-
chiefs and dangers arising irom the general pro
scriptiOn in the service. which for half century
has followed the change OF party control OF
the National administration, has produced SO
profound an impression upon the public mind
that the first effective steps toward reform were
taken with cooperation OF both parties IN the
passage Of the reform act & Of January To- b Ine
are so strongly entrencned in the traditio and
nssges OF both parties that there Is naturally
wdiekpread anxiety lest party change in the Ma
tionaI Executive, effected by the late election.
should show them to be inseparable. But, be
Heving as We do, that the reformed system can not
be held TO be securely established until IL has safe
" psssed the ordeal of such party change, and
recalling with satisfaction and confidence your
public expressions friendly to reform. and your
Orieal acts as Chief Executive OF the state OF New
YORK, we confidently commend this cause to your
patriotic care in the exerci e OF the great power
which the American people have entrusted 10 you.
: Respectfully yours,
JoHN JAY MooRFIRLD sroRER,
]. hall PLEAsANTs,
w. W. MONTGOMERY,
EVERETT r. WHEELE.
FREDERICK CROMWELL,
MORRELL WYMAN, JR.,
CARL SCHURz,
SILAs W. BURT,
A. MCDOSoUGH,
WILLIAM CARY SANGER,
WILLIAM w. AIKEN,
Executive Committee.
President.elsct Cleveland replied:
ALBANY. Dec 25, 1854.
Hon. Geo. VIM. Curtis, President, etc.:
DEAR sR-Your communication, dated Decem-
ber 20, addressed to me- behalf OF the National
Civil Service Reform League, has been received.
That practical reform in the civil service is de-
manded is sbundantly established by the fact
that the statute referred to in your conmunica-
ton to secure such result had been passed in
and by the further fact that the sentiment gen.
orally prevailed among patriotic people calling for
fair and honest enforcement oil law which has
been thus enacted. l regard myself as pledged
TO this. because my conception OF the true
auiIes that this and ali other statutes
should be. in good fath and without evasion,
enforced, and because in many utteranees made
the party to which belong, and which have no
disposition to discaim, have IN effect promised
minfU of the iscs to WhcS you refer that G msny
of our citizens fear that the recent party change
in the National Executive may demonstrate that
abuses which have grown up in the civil service
are ineIadicable. 1 know they are deeply rooted
snd that the spOtls system has been supposed-to
he Intimately related TO success in the msIn-
tenenee OF party organization, and l am not sure
that al those who profess to be friends of
this reform will stand firmly among
its advocates when they find ii obstructing their
way TO patronage ard place; but fully aPpreciat-
ing the trust committed to my charge, no such
consideration shall cause relaxation on my part of
the earnest effort TO enforce this law. There is a
class of Government post tions which are not within
the letter Of civil service statute, but which
dkconneeted with the policy OF an administra-
ton that removal therefrom of the present incum-
bents in my opinion, shall not be made during
the terms for which they were appointed, solely
on partisan grounds, and for the purpose OF
putting in their places thOee who are in
political accord with the appointing power.
But many now holding such positions
have forfeited all Just claim retention.
because they have used their places for party
purposes in disregard ct their duty TO the people,
and because instead OF being decent public ser.
wants they have proved themselves offensive par
Gsans and unscrupulOus maniDulat0rs of local
party management. The lessons Of the past
should be unlearned and such officials, as we'll as
their successors. should be taught that efficiency.
fitness and devotion to public duty the con-
diions OF their continuance in public place, and
that The quiet and unObtrusige exercise of indi-
measure OF their party service. If I were
addressing none but party friends
should deem lt entirely proper 70 remind them
that though the coming administration is 10 be
Democratic, due regard fer the peoples interest
does not permit faithful party work 20 be always
rewarded by appointment. TO office, and TO say to
them that while Democrats may eXDect ali proper
consideration in the selections for Office not en-
breeed within the civil service rules will be based
upon sufficient inquiry as TO fitness, instituted by
those CHARGED with that duty, rather than upon
persistent 1p0rtunity self-solcitatiOn and rec
Grover CLEVELAND