The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1885-01-21
CLEVELAND SPEAKS
AND RENEWS HIS PLEDGE TO CIVIL
SERVICE REFORM,
Correspondence with George William
Curtis.

NEW YoBE, December 20. The following
correspondence explains itself:
National CIvm sEB1cE RuroBM LEAeuE)
OFFICE, PINE STREET.
New York, December 20, 1884
1.-THE Hon, Grover Cleveland
"sIB-We have the honor to address you
on behalf Of the National Civil Service Re
form League, an association composed Of
citizens Of all parties whose sole purpose is
indicated by its name, and which takes no
part whatever in party controversy.
"The vast increase in the number Of peg-
sons engaged in the civil service, aud the
grave misohiefs and dangers arising from
the general prescription in the service which
for half century has followed a change Of
party control Of the National admiuistrat-
ion, have produced so profound an impress
sion opon the public mind that the iirst ef-
ieotive steps toward reform we're taken,
with the cooperation Of both parties, in the
passage Of the reform act of January lG,
1883. The abuses which that act seeks to
correct, however, are 80 strongly intrenched
in the traditions and usages Of both parties
that there is naturally a widespread anxiety
lest the party change in the National E1ecu-
tive, effected by the late election, should
show them to be insuperable. But believ-
ing, as we do, that the reformed system can
not be held to be securely established until
it has safely passed the ordeal of such party
change, and recalling with satisfaction aud
confidence your publice expressions favor
able to reform, and your acts as Chief Ex-
ecutive Of the State of New York, we conf
dently commend this cause to your patriotic
care in the exercise Of the great power with
which the American people have iutrusted
you. Resectfllly yours,
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, Prest.
William Potts, Secretary John Jay,
MoOreheld Story, j. Hall Peasants, W. W.
Montgomery, Everett p. Wheeler, Frederic
Cromwell, Morrill, Wyman, ir., Carl Schurz,
Silas W. Burt, A. r. McDouough, VIM.
Carey Sanger, William W. Aiken, Ezecu-
tive Committee"
Following is President-elect Cleveland 3
reply:
ALBANY, December 25, 1884
| "HOn George William Curtis, President, &C.
DEAR SIR-Yuur communication dated
| December 20, addressed to me, ou behalf of
| the National Civil Service Reform League,
has been received. That practical reform
IN the civil service is demanded is abund-
antly established by the fact that the stat
ute referred to in your communication to
secure such result has been passed in Con-
gress with the assent of both political par
ties, and by the further fact that there is a
sentiment generally prevalent lmOng patri-
ouc people calling for the fair and honest
enforcement Of the law which has been thus
enacted.
Il regerd myself pledged to this, because
my conception Of true DemocrOtic faith and
public duty requires that this aud all other
statutes should be in good faith and without
evasion enforced, and because in many ut
terances made prior to my election as Pres
dent, approved by the party 70 which ] be %
| long, aud which have no disposition TO
/ disolaim. have in effect promised the
people that this should be done.
II am not unmindful of the fact to which
/ you refer, that many Of our citizens fear
that the recent party change in the Nation
al Executive may demonstrate that abuses
which have grown up in civil service are
| iueradiCable. l know they are deeply root
! ed, aud that the spoIls sy stem has been sup
posed to be Intimately related to success 10
the maintenance of party organization, and
| | am not sure that all those WHO profess to
/ be friends 10 this reform will stand firmly
smOug its advocates when they find it OBJ
strucing their way to place aud patronage.
But fully apprecialing the trust COM
mitted TO my charge, no such consideration
shall cause relaxation on my part, of ear
nest effort TO enforce this law. There is Il
class Of Government positions which are
not within the letter of the civil service
/ statute, but which are so disconnected with
the policy Of an Administration that remOv-
al theretrOm Of present incumbents in my
! opinion, should not be made during the
/ terms for which they we're appointed solely
on partisan grounds aud for the purpose Of
! putting ia their places those who are in pU-
! iitical accord with the appointing power.
"But many now holding such positions
have forfeited all just claim to retention,
because they have used their places for
party purposes, ia disregard Of their duty
TO the people, aud because, instead Of being
deceut public servants, they have proved
themselves offensive partisaus aud unscrup-
ulous mauipulators of local party manage
ment.
"The lessons Of the past should be uu.
learned, and such officials as well as then
successors, should be taught that efficiency
fitness aud devotion to public duty are th,
conditions of their continuance in public
place, aud that the quiet aud uuobtrusiv,
exercise of individual political rights is IN,
reasonable measure OF their parry service
III 1 were addressing none but party
friends / should deem il entirely proper Il
remind that, though the coming admIustra
tlOu is 70 b1DemOCraic, a due regard fol
the peoples interest does not permit faith
fui party work to be always rewarded by
appointment TO Office, aud to say that Will,
Democrats may expect all proper consider
alton, selections tor Office not embraced
within civil service rules will be based upOt
sufficient inquiry as to htusss, instituted by
those charged with that duty, rather thai
upon persistent importantly Ur self-soliciteC
recommendations on behalf of candidates
for appointment. Yours truly.
GROVER CLEVELAND"
Formerly weak, nervous dyspeptic, an,