San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-01-08
Commissioner Eaton on Cieyeland's
Letter.

|
Washington, December 20,-Hon,
Dorman Is. Eaton, president Of the
ciyil-seryice commission, was to-day
asked by representative OF the As
sociated Press for his views in re-
gard 10 Gov. Cleyeland's letter, pub
lished this morning. Eaton express
cd himself rs follows; ut would DO
objectionable presumption in me 10
assume to speak for Gov. Cleveland,
but / may speak freely for myself
regard the letter az the deliberate,
significant and timely utterance OF q
man who comprehends the situation,
and has the courage OF his convic-
tons Of his duties. 1t is platform
on the subject 10 which it relates
The views OF the letter are those com.
mon 10 true statesmen Of both parties
These views are those most rapidly
growing in the hearts OF the people.
The policy disclosed in tho letter is
thatby which alone his party can retain
power, or tic country escape decay.
II shows plainly that we are TO have
no mixed cabinet and no time serving
or compromising policy, but strong,
positive and honest courage and an
absolutely democratic administration
1t will be one in broad contrast to
the last democratic administration,
which was weak, evasive and scorn.
full Of noble and growing sentiments
l may do injustice TO my political op-
ponents, but l must think many Of
them have been hoping that Gov.
Cleveland would be found ready to
break his pledges and triAe with his
convictions. This letter ought to
dispel all such illusions, and is there
fore timely. The place-hunters Of
his party may give him much trouble,
and, perhaps, may bring their party
near ruin by their greed for Office
The democratic party now stands
where it did when Buchanan was
elected, where two roads separate, one
leading to honor and victory and the
other to shame and defeat. Its fate
depends upon a choice of roads and
leaders. If 1 cared more for my
party than for my country, I should
hope that the greed and clamor for
places and spoils would break
through the civil service law and ell
gulf the new president with all the
statesmen of his party. The declara-
tion in the letter shat the lessons Of
the past should be unlearned," may
well be pardoned by republicans as
well as Democrats. 1t is just ten
years since President Grant, through
a special message, asked the repub
licans in Congress to make small
appropriation for the enforcement of
the civil service rules which the re-
publican party was solemnly pledg-
cd to. Unfortunately there was then
no statesman in congress- who could
see that new cause with elements of
potency in the future, was beginning
in the hearts of the people. In the
eyes of republican leaders, the early
friends of this cause were zen
thusiasts', and 'doctrinaires, at whom
partisan journals especially delighted
to sneer No member in either house
cared to even call for the ayes and
noes on the appropriation. Amid
jeers and laughter, civil service re-
form in the opinions of the leaders
of it's enemies, was consigned to the
tomb of the Capulets About that
time the republican party entered
upon slow decline. Jobbery and
patronage mongering more and more
more fourished. At that time,
too, began deliberate method, and
soon afterward was carried forward,
through many affiliated organizations,
that broad appeal to the virtue and
wisdom of the country, which two
years ago convinced republican
congress that the growing reform
sentiment must be needed"