St. Landry democrat., 1885-01-17

NEW AOQhS DSNH
lowing correspondence explains it
self
NATIONAL CIVIL SERVICE REFORM,
League Office, 4 Pine St.,
New York, Dec. Goth, 1884.
To the Hon. Grover Cleveland:
SR-We have the honor to ad-
dress you on behalf Of the National
Civil Service Reform League, an
association composed Of citizens OF
all parties whose sole purpose is in
dicated by its name, and which
takes no part whatever in party con-
troyersy.
The vast increase in the number
of persons engaged in the civil ser
vice and the grave mischiefs and
dangers arising from general pro-
acription in the service which for
half a century has followed q change
of party control of the national ad-
ministration have produced SO pro-
found an impression upon the pub
lic mind that the first effective steps
toward reform were taken with the
cooperation of both parties in the
passage Of the reform act Of Jan.
lis, 1883.
The abuses which that act seeks
10 correct, however, are so strongly
entrenched in tradition and the
tsages Of both parties that there is
naturally widespread anxiety lest
the party change in the national
Executive, effected by the late cleo
lion, should show them to be IN
separable, but believing, as we do,
that the reform system cannot be
held and be securely established
until it has safely passed the ordeal
of such party change, and realizing
With satisfaction and confidence
your public expression to reform
and your official acts as Chief Elk
acutive of the State of New York,
we confidently commend this case
10 your patriotic care in the exer-
tise of the great power with which
dhe American people have entrusted
yOu.
Respectfully yours,
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS,
President.
William Potts, Secretary John
Iay, Moorfeld Storey, j. Hall
Pleasants, w. w. Montgomery,
Everett p. Wheeler, Frederic Crom-
well. Morren Wyman, Carl ShurZ,
Silas w. Burt, A. r. McConough,
VIM. Curry Sanger, VIM. W. Aiken
executive committee.
President elect Cleveland's reply
WAS as follows:
ALBANY, Dec. rs, 1884.
Hon. Geo. VIM. Curtis, Pres't, etc.:
DEAR S1R-Your communication
dated Dec. 20, addressed to me in
Behalf of the National Civil Service
Reform League, has been receiy-
ad.
That practical reform in the civil
service is demanded is abundantly
established by the fact that the
statute referred to in your commu-
Mication, to secure such result, has
been passed In Congress, with The
assent Of both political parties, and
SpY the further fact that the senti
anent generally prevalent among the
Datriotic, people, calling for fair anc
honest enforcement of the law which
has been enacted, / regard mysel
pledged TO this, because my concep
dion Of true Democratic faith AND
public duty requires that this ant
all other statutes should be in goot
9aith and without evasion enforced
and because IN many utterance
anade prior 10 my election as Presi
dent. approved by the party &
which / belong and which I hsy'
40 disposition to disclaim, I have il
effect promised tho people that chi
should be done.
I am not unmindful Of the hct :
which yOa refer thas many q on
eitizens fear thae The resent part,
change In the national Executiv
may demonstrate that abuaes whicl
have grown up IN the PivN SeEvic
are ineradicable. ] know they a.
deeply rooted, and that the spoil
system has been suYSSsss:7 10 be In