The Clifton clarion., 1885-01-28
MT. CIeveIand's Policy.

10 the OIUceTS or lue NaUlOudl Civil Service Reform League President-elec Cleveland has written the following letter:
 "Your communication, dated December 20, addressed to me on behalf of the National Civil Ser vice Reform League, has been re- ceived. That practical reform in the Civil Service is demanded is abundantly established by the fact that statute referred to in your communication to secure such a result has been passed in Congress, with the assent of both political parties, and by the further fact that a sentiment is generally prevalent among patriotic people calling for the fair and honest enforcement of the law which has been enacted. I regard myself pledged to this because my con ception of true Democratic faith and public duty requires that this and all other statutes should. be in good faith and without evasion enforced, ;and because in many utterances made prior to my election as President, approved by the party to which I belong and which I have no disposition to dis
 claim, I have in effect promised the people that this should be done. I am not unmindful of the fact to which you refer, that many, of our citizens fear. that the recently party change Fin the national executive may demon
 strate that the abuses which have grown up in the civil service are 1neradicable.- I know that they are deeply. rooted, and that, the spells system has been supposed to be.intimatelytrelated.t ito success in the maintenance of party or ganization; and I am not sure that all those who profess to be the friends of kthis reform will stand firmly among its advocates when they find it obstructing theirsway to patronage and place. But, fully approaching the trust committed to my charge, no such consideration shall cause relaxa
 ton on my part of an earnest effort to enforce this law. There is 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 the removal therefron of present incumbents, in my opinion, should not be made during the terms for which they were appointed, soleey 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.sholding such positions have forfeited all claim to retention, because they have Used their places for party purposes in dis regard of their duty to the people, and because, instead of beingsde
 cent public servants, they have proved themselves offensive parti- sans and interruptions manipu
 lators of local party management. The lessons of the past should be unlearned, and such officers as we'll as their successors, should be taught that efficiency, fitness and devotion to public; duty are the conditions of their continu- ance in public place, and that the quiet and unobtrusive exercise of individual political rights is the reasonable measure of their party service. "If I were addressing none but party friends, I should deem it entirely proper to remind them that though the coming administration isl5to be Demo cratic. due regard for the peoples interest does not permit..faithful party work to be always rewarded by appointment to office, and to say to them that, while Democrats may expect proper considera- ton, selections for office not en- braced within the Civil Service rules will be based upon sufficient inquiry as to fitness instituted by those charged with that duty, rather than upon persistent i'm portunity or self-solicited recom- mendations on behalf of candi- dates for appointment" This letter, which we quote in full, is by far the most important docu
 ment yet produced from the pen of the President-elect. It sets at rest all doubts as to hls position