The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-11-18

WASHINGTON CITY, Nov lS.-Edmund
Hudson of The Capital, has had an interview
at Albany with Governor Cleveland. In re-
ference to ciyil-service reform Mr.. Hudson
says: Il remarked to the governor that his
election had been followed by something
like a panic among the minor employees of
the government at Washington, who are
supposed to hold their places in accordance
with the new civil service regulations, and
inquired of him whether it might not be
worth while for him to indicate in some
way if that We're his purpose;
that the spirit of the civil service
regulations would be adhered to after
the March 4. To this the governor briskly
replied:
81 think have said enough on that sub
ject 1t is in my letter 1t is in the plat
form There is no use trying to beat brains
into peoples heads. Let them attend to
their business--let them attend to their bust
ness.
HE repeated the words in a very decided
manner and with a gesture of the head that
indicated more than the tone in which he
spoke"
Mr.. Hudson's impressions of the president
elect are thus given:
In conversation th cOvernor speaks with
q good deal of amin T. and the strongest
impression one get, ,.,..u him is of great
firmness and force in adhering to course
once it is adopted One would say, Here is
man surely who cannot be driven, but
who will do the driving himself whenever it
be necessary One might ask good deal Of
such a man, but to demand | should think
would be a losing business.
A southern member of the Democratic
national committee says that in the course
of a conversation Governor Cleveland said
to him: If there is any one matter to which
hava given my fullest attention 1t is to re
form and efficiency in the civil service.
When | came to Albany as governor
found nearly all the departments full of
clerks whose political predictions were Re
publican. The state officials who came into
office with me called upon me after my acces-
sion, and asked what were my views in re
lation to removals from public service for
political reasons. | replied that his corti-
dential subordinates ought to be selected
with great care, and should doubtless be his
personal friends, but that if "a clerk is faith
full and competent he should be retained
no matter what his political predictions
may be- During my term | have dis
charged no employe from the executive de
partment for political reasons, and many Of
Governor Cornelrs personal following are
still in the service of the state If an
elected president" said Governor Cleveland
with emphasis, "the clerks in the great de
partments at Washington who are fit fol
their positions will remain in Office. Ability
and zeal in the service will be the measur,
of usefulness. The rules of the civil service
commission will govern all minor appoint
| ments"
A New York state senator, a persona
friend of Governor Cleveland, who cam'
| from Albany this morning, says Mr.. Cleve
| land had directed his clerks to destroy, with
out showing to him, all letters making appll
| cation for office
Dorman B. Eaton, of the civil servic
| commission, said the civil service law wOult
! not be repealed, as the best men id the Dem
ocratic party and the Republican senat
would undoubtedly sustain it, and that Gov
ernor Cleveland, in his opinion, would eli
force it i'll letter and spirit Judge Thurman
| expressed views similar TO Mr.. Eaton'S.