, 1885-09-24

every advance with unyielding steadiast.
ness. The success which thus far has at.
tended the work of civil service reform is
largely due to the fact that its practical
friends have proceeded upon the theory
that real and healthy progress can only
be made. as such of the people who fur
nish pernicious political ideas, long los-
tered and encouraged by vicious partisan %
ships, are persuaded that the change
contemplated by the reform offers sub
stantial improvement and benefits, A
reasonable federation for old prejudices.
a graceful recognition of every aid. a sen
siblc utilization of every mstrumentality
that promises assistance, and a constant
effort to demonstrate advantages of Il new
order of things, are means by which this
reform movement will in future be ad
vanced. The opposition of incorrigible
spoilsmen rendered Intellectual, and the
cause placed upon Il sure foundation, of
course there should be no surrender of
the principal nor backward steps. and all
laws for the enforcement of the reform
should be rigidly executed; but the bene-
fits which its principals promise will not
be fully realized unless the aequiescence
Of the people is added to the stern asser-
ton of a doctrine and the vigorous execu-
ton of the laws. It is a source of CON
graduation hat there are so many friends
of civil service reform marshaled ON the
practical side Of the question, and that the
number is not greater on the side of those
who profess friendliness for the cause, and
yet mischievously and with supercilious
self righteousness discredit every effort not
in exact accord with their ~attenuated
ideas. decry with earplng criti-
cism the labor of those actually
in the field of reform and ignoring the
conditions which bound and qualify every
struggle for a radical improvement in the
affairs of the government which demand
complete and immediate perfection.
The reference in your letter 10 the
attitude Of the members OF my cabinet to
the merit system established by the civil
service law, beside being entirely correct,
exhibits an appreciation of an honest en-
deavor in the direction OF reform and a
disposition to do justice to proved sincerity
which is most gratifying. If such treat
ment of those upon whom the duty rests
of administering the government accord
ing to reform methods. was a universal
rule, and if the embarrassments and per
plexities were fairly regarded by all those
protesting to be friendly to such methods,
the avowed enemies of the cause would be
afforded less encouragement. | believe in
civil service reform and its application in
the most practical form attainable, among
other reasons. because it opens the door
for rich and poor alike to participation
in public place holding. and ! hope the
time is at hand when our people will see
the advantage for such an opportunity
upon merit and fitness, instead Of the
dependence upon caprice OF the
selfish interests OF those who i'm
pudently stand between the people
and the machinery of their government.
In one ease reasonable intelligence and
education, which is freely furnished or
forced upon the youth Of our land. are
credentials to Office. In the other, a way
is found in favor secured by participation
in partisan work, often uniting n person
morally if not mentally and physically
for the responsibility 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 10 preserve and advance this reform
by a party restored to power after an TX
clusion for many years from participation
in places attached to public service, con
tronted with a new system p~reclud:ng a
reds ribution of such places in its inter
est, called upon to surrender advantages
which perverted p%artisanship had taught
the American people belonged to success
and perturbed with suspicion, always
raised in such an emergency, that their
rights In the conduct of this reform had
not been scrupulously regarded, should
receive due acknowledgment and
should confirm our belief thai there
is a sentiment among the people
better than a desire to hold Office, and the
patriotic impulse upon which may safely
rest the integrity of our institutions and
the strength and perpetuity of our gov
eminent. | have determined to ask you
to retain your present position until the
first day Of November next, at which time
your resignation may become operative,
| desire to express my entire conidencein
your attachment to the cause of civil ser.
vice reform and your ability to render il
efficient aid, and indulge the hope and
expectation that not withstanding the nc
ceptance Of your resignation, your inter
est in the cause far which you have labor
ed 80 assiduously will continue beyond the
official term which you surrender. Your
very truly, GROVER CLEVELAND.
It is impossible for anyone who is sui
lering from toothache to be good natured
but an application Of st. jacobs oil vii
Danish the pain and bring peace
Enll nunr.nnta M pnlacL,a