The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-12-30
THE CiVfL-SzRvICE
Cleveland 90 support the Existing
Law.

Cleveland 90 support the Existing
Law.
Governor Cleveland has wri,tJn the follow
Ing letter;
10 lion. Gtor0e lrt2iam Cnrtis, Pyesidsnt, de-;
DEAR SIR. Your communication, dated De-
cembcf 20, addressed to mo on behalf OF the
National Civil Service Reform League, has
been receiveds
That practical reform In the Clvll.Service
is demanded Is abundantly establlehed by the
fact that a statute referred To in your commu-
nication to secure such n result has been
passed In Congress with tho assent OF both po-
litieal parties, and by the further fact that
sentiment is generally prevalent among pa
triotic people calling for the fair and honest
enforcement OF the law which has been thus
enacted. regard myself pledged to thl,, be-
cause my conception OF true Democratic faith
and public duty requires that this . Il all
other statutes should be In good TAI aud
without evasion enforced, and Decau -, ia
many utterances made prior to my elect IN as
President, approved by the party to which I
belong, and which have no disposition 70
Disregard, have in effect promised the people
am not unmindful OF the fact 10 which you
refer, that many OF our citizens fear that tho
recent party change In tho National Executive
may demonstrate that the abuses which have
grown up In the Cvli-Service arc ineradica-
BILE. know that they are deeply rooted, aud
that the spoile system has been supposed 70 be
intimately related to success In the mainte-
nance OF party organization, and am not sure
that oil those who profess TO be the friends OF
Gates when they find II obstructing their way
10 patronage and place. But fully appreclat-
ing tho trust committed to my charge, no such
consideration shall cause relax on my part
OF an earnest effort TO enforce this law.
There is n class OF Government positions
which are not within the letter OF the Otvil-
Service statute, but which are so disconnected
with the policy OF an administration that tho
removal thorefrom OF present incumbents, In
my opinion, should not be made during the
terms for which they were appointed, solely
on partisan grounds and for the purpose or
putting In their places those who were In
political accord with the appointing power.
But many now holding such positions have
forfeited all tuet claim TO retention, because
they have used their places for party pur-
and because, instead OF being decent public
servants, they have proved themselves offon-
stvo partieanB and nscrupul0uB manipulat0re
oflocal party management.
The lessons OF the past should be 0nlsArned,
and such officials, as well rs their successors,
should be taught that efficiency, fitness aud
devotion to public duty are the conditions Of
their continuance In public place, and that
the quiet and unobtrusive exercise OF indi-
vidual political rights is the reasonable meas.
ure OF their party service.
III were addressing none but party friends
should deem IL entirely proper to remind
them that though the coming administration
Is to be Democratic, q due regard for the peo-
pies Interest does not permit faithful party
work 10 be always rewarded by appointment
TO of1ice, and to say TO Thorn that while Demo-
Gratis may expect all proper considerations,
selections for office not embraced within the
Civil Service rules will be based upon sum
Client inquiry as TO fitness, instituted by those
charged with that duty, rather than persist
ent importantly or self-solicited recommends
lions on behalf OF candidates for appointment.
Yours, very truly,
GRovER CLEVELAND.