Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-04
CLEVELAND'S INTEGRITY.
MIR. GREGORY PLEASED WITH
THE CIVIL SERVICE LETTERS.

The Commissioner Sees No Grounds TOr
tie Allegations that the President
Elects Letters are Fuu of Secret
Threats-President Arthur's Reform
Stand Praised.
WASHINGTON, Jan, 3.-Recent criti-
cisms by some Republican megnbers of
Congress upon Mr, CleVeland's civil SER
vice letter were made the topic of an AS
sOciated Press interview with Prof. j. NJ.
Gregory, of the Civil Service Commission,
to-day. In response to the first inquiry
he said: Yes, / have read carefully NJ.
Cleyeland's letter to George William Cur
tbs, and it seems TO me an honest express
sion OF a sincere and settled conviction
with no hidden meaning, and no
contemplated afterthOught. The para
graphs relating TO those who nave used
their place for party purposes which
to some Of his critics appear to be de-
signed as a l0OphOle for wide partisan
prescription are altogether too large and
plain for such construction. They are so
open, frank and fearless as to forbid all
thought OF their hiding any sinister and
malignant meaning. 1t is true that by
strained Interpretation OF these para
graphs a large majority OF the Repubi-
cans in of ce might re brought under oOa-
deinDation and Ousted from their places,
and this would probably be true also OF
thousands Of Democrats who have doubt
less already gained Office under the
Civil Service rules, and who proba-
bly, supported by word and vote the
candidates Of their party. To charge
the President-eleCt with intending sucn
prescription is to accuse him of
using most heartiess irony in a letter
addressed TO some Of his most influential
supporters, foremost friends of civil ser
vice reform and his prospective admins
tTatiOn."
sElfpL DYES RRASSURED.
"Has not this letter done much to quiet
the apprehenSiOns Of clerks in the govern
ment employY'
Most certainly; but it is most well
coined Dy the earnest and patriotic friends
of the great cause of reform, who look
with dread upon any return to the spOils
system. 1t Is natural that persons in
office should see in it only a promise Of
protection, and that Othce-seekers, on the
other hand, should regard il as hostile to
their hopes, but its true
significance arises far above
these personal considerations Of
the ms and outs. 1t is evident
that the hateful and dangerous spells sys-
tenn of Ottice-getting and Ufiice-holding can
be rooted out only by persistent efforts of
successive administrations and, perhaps,
of successive parties. 1t was given to
the Republican administration to begin
the work, and President Arthur and his
/ secTetarys deserve well of their country
that they have so nObly met the demand
/ OF duty. Without hesitation they have
/ opened the great departments and large
offices Of the country to the most meritO-
riOus. without question as to party char
acter. President Arthur's hearty and
magnanimOus support of this reform VIII
make his administration famous in
popular among the best of his
living cOuntrymen. But it needs
equally hearty and magnanimOus efforts
and sacrifices OF his successor, and Of the
Democratic party in its turn to fully eX-
terminate the accused upas tree Of the
patronage system. These efforts Gov.
Cleyeland's letter fairly promises, and in
this light l accept il in the full breadth of
its frank assertion. Ifitis carried out in its
letter and spirit it viii place the name Of
its author high in the list OF the best
Presidents Of the republic"