Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-10-01

The Resignation of the Civil Service
Commissioner Accepted by
the President
The Executive, in Reply, Says the Civil
Service Law Must be
Observed.
[Washinpton telepram.l !

Washington telegram.1
The letter OF Dorman B. Eaton TO the Presi-
dent, resigning his position as a member of the
Civil Service Commission, and the reply of
made public day. Mr. Eaton's letter. which
is dated July 25, says the writer had, several
weeks before that time, determined TO tender
acceptance until such time as the President
might ind convenient to make a new appoint
ment to the place Mr., Eaton points out that,
law jan i 1885, he had hed eiS Gnaer srTlse three
earlier Presidents, and was then holding.
under President Arthur, n position closely
analogous to his present one. During all
that time he had served without compen-
sation, and when the time arrived for executing
the provisions of the law he did not feel called
upon to make any further sacrifice OF his private
interest for the cause OF civil-service reform.
President Arthur, without any tntimation to
him, then appointed him Commissioner. He
would have declined the office, but was urged
not to do 80 by many friends OF reform.
Certain persons charged that he had promoted
the act from selfish motives, and these same
parties now stood ready to charge that his
fusal to accept the POSITION of Commissioner
was cowardly shrinking from the failure
which was sure TO follow any attempt to exc
cute the civl-servIce law. Under these circum-
stances he accepted the office with the de-
ts cared purpose Sf sII remaining aiming hardly more
the most ditftcuR part OF the work would have
been accomplished. At the end of that time
the new law had secured the commendation Of
the President, united the party In power, and
secured from committee OF the House of Rep
resentatlves report commencing the commits
sion as intelligent. non partisan, and conscien-
tious." few months later he was about to in
sst upon being relieved, when friends dissuaded
him, urging that, as new party was coming
into power his resignation would be looked
upon as fieeing from the peril of crisis. No
declaration of his confidence in the reform pol
icy OF the new administration would have freed
him from the damaging plausibility of such a
charge, and he determined to remain in office
until the reform policy OF that administration
had now arrived, must be ad-
mitted by all candid men The few changes
made in the rules had but added to their justice
and efficiency, and there had appeared no rea-
son to suppose that the merit system had not
been welcomed by the President and by all
members of the Cabinet as a great benefit to
the public service, great influence for honesty
In politics, and great relief TO the head OF the
office. Mr.. Eaton says he wishes to leave no
doubt OF his absolute faith in the continuing
triumph OF a reform policy.
President Cleveland's letter of reply is as
follows
WASHINGTON, Sept. II. 1885.
Hon. Dorman b. Eaton:
MY DEAR SIR-I am In receipt of your letter
rendering your resignation as a member of the
Board of Civil Service Commissioners / can
That Yon hava t.0 y, my [egree
position in the public service where your intel
ligent performance of duty has been OF ines
OF civil service reform and all those who
desire good government fully appreciate
your devotion to the cause in which
you early enlisted, and they have seen with
satisfaction that your cal and faith have not
led You TO suppose that the .EefoEm IN ~ Which
which ordinarily govern progress In human
affairs, or that it should at once reach perfec-
tion and universal acceptance. You have been
willing patiently to accept good results as
they step by step could be gained, holding
every advance with unyielding steadfastness
The success which thus far attended the work
of civil service reform is largely due to the fact
that It's practical friends have proceeded upon
the theory that real and healthy progress can
only be made If the people who cherish per-
nicious political ideas, long fostered and en-
couraRed by vicious partisanship, are per-
suaded that the change contemplated by
the reform offers substanti tial improvements and
benefits. reasonable tol ration for old
prejudices, graceful recognition of every aid,
a sensible utilization of every instrumentality
that promises assistance, and a constant effort
to demonstrate the advantages of the new order
of things, are the means by which this reform
movement will in the future be further adj
vanced. the opposition OF incorrigible spoils-
men render d Intellectual, and the cause placed
upon q sure foundation OF course, there
should be no surrender of principle nor back
ward steps, and all laws for the enforcement of
the reform should be rigidly executed; but the
benefits which its principles promise will not
be fully realized unless the acquiescence of the
people Is added to the stern assertion OF doc
trine and the vigorous execution of the laws.
1T is a source of congratulation that there
are so many friends OF civil service reform mar
shaled on the practical side of the question,
and that the number is not greater of
those who profess friendliness for the
cause and vet mischievously and with
supercilious self-righteousness discredit every
effort not in exact accord with their at
tenuated ideas, decry with carpinR criticism
the labor of those actually IN the field OF re-
form, and, ignoring the conditions which quail
ify every struggle for a radical Improvement in
the affairs of the Government, demand COM
Plete and immediate nat peIfestio9. A.. The reference &c
my Cabinet to the merit system established
by the civil service law, besides being entirely
endeavor in the direction of reform and a dispo-
sition to justice to proved sincerity which Is
most gratifying. IL such treatment OF those
upon whom the duty rests of administering the
Government according to reform methods were
the universal rule, and III the embarrassments
and perplexitles attending such an admins
tration were fairly regarded by all those pro-
Tossing to be friendly to such methods, the
avowed enemies of the cause would be Afforded
less announcement.
Il believe in civil service reform and its appli-
cation in the most practicable form attainable,
among other reasons, because IL opens the door
for the rich and the poor alike to participation
in public place holding. And hope the time is
at hand when all our people will see the ad-
vantage of a reliance for such an opportunity
upon merit and fitness. instead OF dependence
upon the caprice or selfish interest OF those who
impudently stand between the people and the
machinery of their government. In the one
case a reasonable intelligence and the education
which Is freely furnished or forced upon the
youth of our land are the credentials to office;
In the other the way Is found in favor secured
by participation IN partisan work often un-
fitting a person morally. II not mentally and
physically for the responsibilities and duties of
public employment You will agree with me,
think, that the support which has been given
to the present administration in its efforts
to preserve and advance this reform by a
party restored to power after an exclusion for
many years from participation In the places at
tached to the public oservice-confronted with a
new system precluding the redistribution OF
such places in its interest-called uron to sur
render advantages which perverted PARTISAN
ship had taught the American people belonged
| to success, and perturbed with the suspicion,
always raised in such an emergency, that their
rights in the conduct of this reform had not
been scrupulouslv regarded-should receive due
Acknowledgement, and should confirm our belief
| that there is a sentiment among the people bet
| ter than desire TO hold Office, and a patriotic
impulse upon which may safely rest the integ-
rity OF our institutions and the strength and
perpetuity of our Government
| Il have determined to request you TO retain
your present position until the 1st day of Mo-
vember next, at which time your resignation
may become operative. / desire to express my
! entire confidence in your attachment TO the
cause OF civil service reform and your ability to
render IL deficient aid, and indulge the hope and
expectation that, Notwithstanding the accept
ance OF your resignation, your interest in the
| object or which you have labored so assiduous-
| hau ha