The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-01
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOiDgS at the Ma
tiOnal Capital
TIE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.


cation of that appendage OF the United States
Government SO odious to thousands of people
who want offices and cannot get them known
as the Civil Service Commission. DorDan i.
Eaton who has been It's President and Its rul-
ing spirit ever since its organization, has re-
signed TO take effect after the trial ia court
soon to take place in New York TO test the
constitutionality OF the civil service law. 1t Is
claimed that Mr.. EatOn'S resignation Is not IN
consequence OF any friction between the Adj
miuiStration and himself or the Commission.
MI Eaton says he never intended TO remain
permanently iii the position, aud that he has
long contemplated retiring, 10 engage III other
business. He IS really the father of the civil
service reform as practically carried out III the
workings of the Commission. Every feature
of the system bears the impress of his ideas.
He admits that its operation has re "a many
minor defects which need to / anedled,
but he is as firm as Gibraltar III hfr Seiief that
such bulwark is necessary to stay the flood of
official corruption that is the Legitimate out
growth of the "spOilS system.
1t is considered probable that the Commission
will be entirely recognized and ali OF ITS mem
bers changed. Nominaily, of the present Board
Eaton and Gregory are Republicans, and Tho
man is Democrat-tnaU is 10 say. such We're
their party affiliations in the past, foT as mem
beers of the Civil Service Commission, and apos-
ties whose duty il is 10 go crying IN the wilder
ness aud preaching the gospel that shall bring the
political millennium, they arc not supposed TO
have any politics. 1t is safe TO predict how
ever. that in making new deal the Prcsi-
dent will be very likely 10 turn jack by
hook or crook. and appoint AZ least two Demo
Gratis. SO far as Mr.. Cleveland Is concerned, be
does not show the least Sign OF weakening III
his adhesion to both the spirit and letter OF the
civil service law. In this fact lies the secret oi
the undisguiSed admiration with which he IS
regarded by the somewhat uncertain political
factor known as the Mugwumps. who daily
shout h0sannaS 10 the Executive. The friends
of the President say that he will exercise the
utmost care in the selection Of new Commits
sioncrs, provided new ones are chosen, with
view of making the Board even more efficient
than at present. Meanwhile there Is still wall
ing and crashing OF teeth-and this is likely
10 contiBue-am0ng those who sigh Tor the
good old days of Andrew jackson.
The following is the text of President Cleye-
lands letter accepting Mr. Eaton's resignation.
Although dated Sept. IL, it was not made public
till Sept "a:
ExFc1TIv MANSION, WASHINGTON, Sept IL, 1885
Hon. DoENAS b. EATON.
Ny DEAR SIR: am III receipt of your letter ten,
dering your resignation Il member Of the Board
Of Civil Service Commissioners.
cannot refrain FROM expressing my sincere regret
that you have determined 10 withdraw from a posi-
tion in the public service where your Intelligent
performance of duty has been OF inestima'e value
10 the country.
The friends 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 with satisfaction that your zeal
and faith have not led yon 10 suppose that the
form III which you engaged Is EnsuItcd 10 the
rules which ordinarily govern progress ia human
sffairs that II should At once Reach perfection
and universal acceptance. You have been willing
patiently to accept good results they, step by
step, could be gained, holding every advance
with nyieldiHg steadias;nesS.
The success which thus far has attended the work
of civil service reform * largely due to the fact that
its practical friends have proceeded upon the theory
that real and healthy progress can only be inhde a.
such Of the people who cherish pcrnicious political
ideas. long fos;erec and encouraged 10y VICIOUS
partisanship, are persuaded that the change
temDlated by the reform offers substantial improve
ment and benefits. a reasonable liberation for old
prejudice@; n graceful recognition OF every aid;
sensible utilization OF every instTuueniaty that
promises assistance, and constant effort to demon
stTate the advantages OF the new order of things
the means by which This reform movement Will
III the future be further advanced. the opposition
of inCorrigible spoilsmeu rendered Intellectual and
the cause placed upon a sure foundation.
or course, there should be surrender OF prlu
CipIe backward step; and all laws for the en-
IorceneIt OF the reform should oe rldy executed
but the benefits which its principles promise viii
be fully realized unless the acquiescencc OF the
people j. added to the stern assertion of doc
1Iinc and the rigorous execution of the laws.
Ii is source of congratulation that there are so
many friends of civil service reform marshalcd on
the practical side OF the question, and that the
her Is not greater OF those who profess fTlendiness
for the cause aud yet nisciievousy and with super
cilous seifTghteousDes5 dscredlt every effort not
in exact accord with their attenuated ideas decry
with caTpng criticism the labor of those actually
in the field of reform, ana, ignoring the conditions
which bound and qualify every struggle Tor Iadl-
cal improvement ia the affairs OF Government. de-
maId complete and immediate perfection.
The reference lii your letter TO the attitude of the
members Of my Cabinet to the merit system estab
lshcd by the civil service law, besides being en-
TREY correct, exhibits appreciation Of honest
endeSvOr IN the direction Of reform and DISPOSE
ton 10 do justice 10 proved sincerity, which Is most
gratifying. II such treatment of those upon whom
the duly rests of administering the Government
ccordingto reform methods was the universal rule,
and If the embaTassn ents and perpeXitles attend
ing such au administration were fairly regarded by
all those protesting be friendly TO such methods
The avowcd enemies Of the cause would be afforded
less encouragement.
believe ia civil service reform and its application
In ilie most practical form attainabe. among other
reasons. because ii opens the door os the rich and
the isoor alike TO "A participation in pui,ic-placc
holding. And hope the time j. at hand when all
people viii see the advantage of Il reliance for
such opportunity upon nlelIC and fitness Instead
of dependence upon the caprice selfish interest
OF those who impudently stand between the people
and the machinery Of their Government Ia the
one case reasonable intelligence ard the cduca-
ton which Is freely furnished or forced upon tue
youth OF oGr land are the credentials to office in
tie other, the way l. found Ia favor secured by
participation III partisan work, often uniting "a
person morally, if not mentally and physically,
for the responsibilities and duties OF public employ
mont
pUrt which has been given to the present Admins
traiioG Ia i;s efforts TO preserve aud advance this
reform iy a party restored 10 power after cx-
cuslon for many years from participation IN the
places attached 10 the public service, confronted
such places ia its interest, Gale upon 10 surrender
the advantages which perverted craftsmanship had
taught tie American people belonged 10 success
and perturbed with the suspicion always raised in
such emergency that ihcir rights ia the condHct
OF this reform had not been scrupuiously regarded
should receive due acknowledgment, and should
confirm oar belief that there IS a sentiment among
the people better than desire to hold Office. and
patriotic Impulse. upon which may safely rest the
Integrity OI our institutions and the strength and
peTprtuty Of our Government.
have determined TO request you 10 retain Your
pTescu, position until the Isl day of November next
at which time your resignation may become opera
tive. desire to express my entire confidence in
your attachment to the cause OF civil service re
form and ability render IL efficient aid and
j indulge the hope and expectation that, not
Nitiistaadlng the acceptance Of your resignation,
your II;. rest ia the object for which you have la
iogcd assiduously will continue beyond the Off
cial term which you surrender
Yours, very truly, GRovEJ: CLEVELAND.
a CITY WITHOUT WATER.
The soldiers often knew what il was 20 want
water but il is not often the people Of q great
city are suddenly cut off from their supply.
Washington gets its water from two large reser-
Yoirs on Georgetown II lights, which are supplied
through q conduit from the Great Falls Of the
Potomac, II miles above. One day last week
the main pipe conveying water from the reser-
yoirs to the city burst. In q short time that
contained in the distributing pipes was ex-
haustCd. Then people everywhere turned their
faucets in vain. There was nc water and no
snail degree Of CONSERVATION prevailed. Steam