Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-30
GROVER HEARD FROM.
HIS VIEWS OF CIVIL SERVICE.
An Answer to a letter from Geo. Wm.
Curtis's Ref.rm League Cold
Comfort for Democrats.
NKw Yonk, Dee. 29-The following cor.
sespondencs exEiains itself:

sespondence explains itself:
NATIONAL Cfyu SERVICE REFORM LEAGUE,
OHIcz PINE SIEKEr.
NEW YoRK, Dec. 40, 1884.
Hon. 6froves- CIeUelaad. SrK--We have the
1oF Or % address you on behalf OF the Ma
fional Civil Service Reform League, an as
soclatiOn composed Of citizens of all parties,
whose sole purpose Is indicated by It's name,
and which takes no part whatever IN party
controversy. The vast increase IN the mum
Der OF persons engaged ia civil service, and
the grave mischiefs and dangers arising
from general prescription in the service which
Tor half q century has followed the change OF
party IN cOntrOl of the national administra-
lion, have produced 80 profound an impress
sion upon the public mind that the first
effective steps toward reform were
taken with the cooperation OF both parties,
IN the passage of the reform act OF Jan. IL,
1885. The abuses which that act seeks to
correct, however. are so strongly intrenched
in the tradition and usages of both parties,
that there Is naturally widespread anxiety
lcst the party change IN the national execu-
tive effected by the late election should show
them ttS be insuperable; but, believing, "a we
Go. that the reformed system cannot be held
10 be- securely established until it has safely
passed the ordeal of such party changes, and
recalling with satisfaction and confidence
your public expressions favorable to reform
and your official acts chief executive of
the State of New York, we confidently com
mend the cause 10 your patriotic care IN the
exercise OF the great power which the Amer
lean people have intrnsted To you. Yours,
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, President.
WILLIAM PorTs, Secretary.
Following is President-elect Cleveland's
reply:
ALBANY, Dec 25.-R0n. George William
Cx. as: DEAR SIR-Your communication,
dafsd Dec. ~, addressed to me on behalf of
the National Civil Service Reform League
has been received. That practical reform in
civil service is demanded is abundantly
established by the fact that the statute re-
ferred To IN your communication to secure
such result had been passed in Congress
with the assent of both political parties, and
by the further fact that sentiment Is gen.
orally prevalent among patriotic people
calling for a fair and honest enforcement of
the law which has been thus enacted. / re-
gard myself pledged To this, because my con-
ceptions of true Democratic faith and public
duty requires that this and all other statutes
should be, IN good faith and without evasion
enforced, and because In many utterances
made prior TO my election "a President,
and approved by the party to which / be-
long, and which have no disposition to dis
claim, have, IN effect, promised the people
thar this should be done. | am not unmind-
ful of the fact to which you refer, that many
of our citizens fear that the recent party
strate that the abuses which have grown up
IN the civil service are ineradicable. know
they are deeply rooted, and that the spoils |
system has been supposed to be intimately
related TO success In the maintenance of
pa6ty organization, and l am not sure
that those who profess to be friends of
that reform will stand firmly among its ad-
vocates when they find it obstructing their
way to patronage and place. But fully APP
preciating the trust committed to my charge,
no such considerations shall cause relaxa-
ton ON my part of earnest effort to enforce
this law. There Is class of government
positions which are not within the letter of
the civil-servlce statute, but which are so dis
connected with the policy of an administra-
ton that removal therefrom of the present
incumbents, In my opinion, should
not De made, during the terms for
on the partisan grounds, and for the purpose
of putting in their places those who are in
political accord with the appointing power.
But many now holding positions have for
felted all just claim to retention because
they have used their places for party pur-
poses in disregard of their duty to the people. |
and because, instead of being decent public |
servants. they have proved themselves offens- |
i've partisans and INSCRIPTIONS manipula- |
tcrs of local party management. The
lessons of the past should be unlearned, |
and such officials, as well as
efficiency, fitness and devotion to the public |
service are the conditions their continuance |
In public places: that the quiet and unob- |
frusive exercise of individual political rights |
L. "A reasonable measure of party service. If !
were addressing none but party friends, / |
should deem it entirely proper to remind |
them that through the coming administra- |
ton IA TO be Democratic. due regard for the |
peoples interest does not permit faithful |
party work to be always rewarded by appoint |
ment to Office, and to say that while Demo- !
Gratis may expect all proper consideration, |
selections for office not embraced within the |
civ ii service rules, will be based upon suf-
ioient inquiry as 10 fitness, instituted by |
those charged with that duty. rather than |
upon persistent importantly or self-solicited /
recommendations on behalf of candidates /
for appointments.
Yours very truly,
GRcvEe CLEVELAND.