The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-17
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The Commissioners Views Concerning the
Action of Mr.. Cleveland.

Action OF MI. Cleveland,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16.-The views of Hon,
Dorman B. Eaton, president of the Civll-service
Commission, with regard to the probable effects
of Cleveland and Hendricks election upon the
maintenance of the civil-service law, have been
obtained by representative of the Associated
Press, and are given in the following report of
the interview:
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 questions
for one in my position to answer. | have taken
no part whatever in the late campaign | have
not the least right to assume to speak for Gov
with the Republican party from its origin can
hardly speak without some party bias. Never
theless, / will frankly tell you what think. We
shall have an administration absolutely Demo-
cratic in policy, but whether with a member
representing those without whose votes the
Democratic party would have failed, / will not
guess. But 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repealed, either at the coming session.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 it. The Republicans, As body, would
resist, and the Senate would defeat such an at
tempt The rules will not be abolished; they
will be enforced under the President, but
not, fear, with such an enlarging breadth of
application and such moral support from the
party in power US would have been the case, GER
tainly, had President Arthur been reelected,
and probably had Mr.. Blaine succeeded Tho
disnterestedness and patriotism of the country
are not very unequally divided between the
great parties, but in my opinion my party
has much the larger part of the intelligent con
viction which has thus far supported civilservice
reform. Great numbers of persons in the Dem
nc
on the subject that they will clamor for re-
movais for the sake of patronage. They DO not
comprehend that party which could elect its
candidate only by the aid of Republican friends of
reform has no chance if it alienates these friends
in the future, when they are sure to be far more
numerous and powerful than now. They still
believe in the old proscriptve spoilS system, not
comprehending that it is doomed; caring
more, as do many Republicans; also.
for four years saturnalia of
spoils than for all the future beyond that A
great struggle over the reform issue in the
Democratic ranks is, therefore, certain. The
statesmen of the party, Bayard, Pendleton,
Lamar, Garland, Carlisle, Randall, Cox, Nor
rison Tucker Hewitt, Willis and others, each
of whom has already spoken and voted for the
civil-serV;ce act will stand by the new President
in its support. But many worthy Democrats,
and all demagogues, spoilsmen. and the rabblo
of the party will be against it. The Republicans
will stand together for the act, and will anxiously
wait for the Democrats to ruin themselves by its
abrogation. The President will lead the reform
element of his party, and his clear convictions,
and his high sense of duty, his courage,
his strength of character will secure the victory
There is no public man in this country who has
higher sense of the moral obligations of official
life or is more certain to withstand mere par
tlsau and selfish appeals than Governor Cleve-
land. This is his great element of power and
popularity too, people now feel And lest
my motives be misunderstood let me add that
he has never done me favor, and that | could
neither ask nor accept one at his hands. Many
officers outside the rules and some within,
will doubtless be removed for no very
good reasons But far as posi-
be. Governor Cleveland will prevent mere
political prescription. lie cannot attend to
everything Much will depend upon the mem
bers of his Cabinet, and especially on the Post
master general. If there are, as is charged,
some officers who have used THEN influence to
enforce assessments, and neglected their duties
and violated the propretes of their stations to
engage in party warfare, the fate they have
challenged may very likely await them If per
sons are 10 be selected for public work irrespect-
i've of politics they had better attend to that
work and not NEEDLE with politics
what has Governor Cleveland done in New
York TO warrant this estimate Of himF
Mr.. Eaton-l}uffalo was a city almost as parti-
san, lawless and badly governed as Cincinnati
Upon being made sheriff. Mr.. Cleveland eXhib-
tied those qualities which are being more and
moro needed and appreciated by the people.
They comprehen3ed and approved his spirit.
lie was elected mayor by votes from both paf-,