Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-30
President-Elect Cleveland's Reply.
ALBANY. December 25, 1884.

ALBANY, December Is, 1884.
Hon. George Wm. Curtis, President, Etc.
DEAR SIR-Your communication dated
Decem 20, addressed to me on behalf of
he National Civil Service League, has been
received. That practical reform in the civil
service is demanded is abundantly estab-
Iished by the fact that the statute referred to
in your communication to secure such re-
suit has been passed in Congress, with the
assent OF both political parties, and BY the
further fact that sentiment is generally
prevalent among patriotic people calling for
a fair and honest enforcement of the law
which has thus been enacted. regard
myself as
Pledged to This
because my conception of true Democratic
faith and plain duty required that this and
all other statutes should be in good faith
and without evasion enforced, and because
in many utterances made prior to my elec-
ton as President, approved by the party to
which | belong and which have no dispe-
sition to disclaim, have in effect promised
the people that this should be done. am
not uhni;ndful of the fact that some friends
of this reform will not stand firmly among
its advocates when they find it oSstructing
their way to patronage and place, but fully
appreciating the trust committed to my
charge no such consideration shall cause a
relaxation on my part OF an earnest effort
to enforce this law, though there is a class
of Government positions which are not
within the letter Of the civil service statute.
Another fact, to which you refer, is that
many of our citizens fear that the recent
party change in the National Executive
NAV demonstrate that the abuses which
have grown up IN the Civil Service are
eradicable. know they are deeply rooted,
and that
The spoils System
has been supposed to be intimately related
to success in the maintenance of party or
ganization, and an not sure that all those
who profess to be Republicans, but who are
disconnected with the policy if an admins
alton should be retained, but the
removal of the present incumbents, in my
opinion, should not be made during the
terms for which they were appointed solely
on partisan ground and for the purpose Of
putting in their places those who are in po-
htical accord with the appointing power.
But many now holding such positions have
forfeited all Just claim to their retention be-
cause they have used their places for party
purposes in disregard Of their 6aty to the
people, spSbecaase instead Of being decent
public servants they have proved themselves
offensive partisans and unscrupulous ma
nipulators of local party management The
lessons of the past should be unlesEned, and
such officials as well as their successors
should be taught that efficiency fitness and
devotion to public duty are the conditions
of their
Continuance IN Public Place..
and that the quiet and unobtruse exercise OF
individual political rights is the reasonable
measure OF their party service. If were
addressing none but party friends should
deem it entirely proper to remind them'that,
though the coming administration is 70 be
Democratic, due regard for the peoples
interest does not permit hithful party work
to be always rewarded by appointment to
eSiee. and / 50 say to them that while
Democrats may expect all proper consider.
stien, selections for Office not embraced
within the civil rules will be based upon suf-
feient inquiry as to. fitness instituted by
those charged with that duty rather than
upon persistent importantly or selfsoheited
recommendations on behalf of candidates
sor appointment.
Yours very truly,