The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-01-09
An And DEMOCRAT, BTOOMsBURG. COLUMBIA COUNTY PA
pREsIDENr-ELECr oLEvELAND's REPLY.
ALBANY, Dec. 25. 1884.

IbtolbEN EisECi tisbN tlAND ,
ALBANY, Dec. 25. 1884.
Hon George Wintom curtis, President, DC.
DEAR SIR: Your communication
dated Dec. 90, addressed to me on be
half of the National Civil-Service Re.
form League, has been received.
That practical reform in the civil
service is demanded is absolutely es.
tabished by the fact that a statute, re.
ferred to in your communication, tc
secu'e such result, has been passed
in Congress, with the assent of both
political parties; and by the further
fact that a sentiment IL generally prev
alent among other patriotic people call
ing for the fair and honest enforce.
ment of the law which has been thus
enacted | regard myself pledged 10
this because my conception or true
Democratic faith and public duty re.
quires that this an all other statutes
should be in good faith and without
evasion enforced. aud because in many
utterances made prior 10 my election
as President, approved by the party to
which | belong and which have no
disposition to disclaim, | have 10 effect
promised the people that this should be
done.
am not unmindful of the fact to
which you REFER that many of our cit
izens fear that the recent party change
in the national Executive may demon.
strate that the abuses which have
grown mp in the civil service are inc
radicable. l know that they are deep
ly rooted, and that the spoils system
has been supposed TO be intimately re-
lated to success in the maintenance of
party organization, and | am not sure
that all those who profess to be the
friends of this reform will stand ermly
among its advocates when they find it
obstructing their way to patronage
and place.
But fully appreciating the trust COM
mitted to my charge, no such consider
alton shall cause relaxation on my
part of an earnest effort to enforce this
law.
There is class of Government posi-
tions which are not within the letter
of the civll-service statute, but which
are so disconnected with the policy of
an Administrator that the removal
therefrom OF present ncumbe,ts, in my
opinion, should not be made during
the terms for which they were appoint
ed, solely on 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 such posi-
tions have forfeited all just claim to re.
tention, because they have used their
places for party purposes in disregard
Of their duty to the people, and because
instead of being decent public servants,
they have proved themselves offensive
partisans and INSCRIPTIONS manipula-
tors of local party management.
The lessons of the past should be un
learned and such officials, as well as
their successors, should be taught that
efficiency, fitness and devotion to pub
lie duty are the conditions of their
continuance in public place, and that
the quiet and unobtrusve exercise Of
individual political rights is the reason
able measure of their party service.
1t l were addressing rome but party
friends, should deem it entirely
proper to remind them that though
the coming Administration is to b,
Democratic, due regard for the peo
pies interest does not permit faithful
party work to be always rewarded b,
appointment to Office, and to say u
them that while Democrats may ex
pect all proper consideration, selection
for Office not embraced within tn
civil.service rules will be based upol
sufficient inquiry as to fitness, insttu
ted by those, charged with that duty
rather than upon persistent importu
nifty or self-solicited recommendation
on behalf of candidates for appoint
ment. Yours very truly,
| Gpnyrp Crrvur AVN