Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-01-03
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Gov. Cleveland In Reply 20 the Civn ssr
xice Reform League.

Gov. Cleveland in Reply 20 the Civn ssr
vice Reform League.
NEW York, Dec. 50 Tho following cor.
respondence relating to the subject Of refnov-
ais ami appointments under President Cleve-
lands administration is published:
National Civil Service Reform League,
office 4 Pine street, New York, December 20.
1884
ssThe Hon Grover Cleveland:
s.SIR-We have the honor to address you
on behalf Of the National Civu Service Re-
form League, an association composed OF cit
izens of all parties whose sole purpose is indi-
Gated by its name, and which takes no part
whatever in party controversy.
s.The vast increase In the number OF persons
engaged in the Civil Service and the grave
mischiefs and dangers arising from the gen
eral prescription in tho service which, for
half y century, has followed a change CT
party control Of the national administration.
have produced so profound an impression
upon the public mind that the first effective
steps toward reform were taken with the CO
operation Of both parties in the passage Of
the reform act OF January l6, 1888.
'srhe abuses which that act seeks to correct,
however, are 30 strongly entrenched In the
tradition and usages of both parties that
there Is naturally widespread anxiety lest the
party change In the National Executive ef-
feeted by the late election, should show them
to be inseperable
but believing a. we do. that the reform
ed system cannot be held to be securely e.
tablished until it has safely passed the ordeal
Of such party change, and recalling with
satisfaction and confidence your public ex-
pressions favorable to reform. and your Off
Gal acts as the Chief Executive Of the State
of New York, we confidently commend this
cause to your patriotic care in the exercise OF
the great power with which the American
people have entrusted you.
Respectfully yours,
[Signed.1 GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS,
President
WILLIAM PoTTs, Secretary and the Ex ,
eutive Committee
Mr.. Cleveland made the following reply:
ALBANY, Dec IS.
Hon. George William Curtis, President. Etc:
DEAR SIR-Your comm, . ,ation on b..
half Of the Nationa Civil Service Reform
League has been received.
THAT practical reform In the civil ser
vice is demanded 10 abundantly established
by the fact that statute referred to in you
communication, to secure such . result has
been passed in Congress, with the assent of
both Of political parties, and by the furthe,
fact that sentiment is generally prevalent
in patriotic people calling for the fair and
honest enforcement Of the law which ha
been thus enacted.
II regard myself pledged to this. hecaus
my conception Of true Democratic faith an .
public duty requires that this and all othe
,f,,@a h. -, f.sk ~-skL
evasion enforced, and because in many VI
terances ma ie prior to my election a. Prev =
dent, approved by the party to which bs.
long and which have no disposition to dis
claim, have in effect promised the people
this should be done.
II am not unmindful of the fact to whicl,
you refer, that many of our citizens fear
that the recent party change in the Nationai
Executive may demonstrate that the
abuses which have grown up il,
the Civil Service are ineradicable. ]
know TINT they are deeply rooted,
and that the spoils system has been
supposed to be intimately related to success
IN the maintenance of party organization,
anil am not sure that all those who profes-
TO be the friends OF this reform will stan.
firmly among its advocates whtn they find il
oistructing their way to patronage an
place, but fully appreciate the trust com
united to my charge.
''Such consideration shall not cause a relax
alton on my part of an earnest effort to EN-
force this law There is Glass of Govern
ment positions which are not within tin,
letter OF the civil service statute, but which
ure SO disconnected with the policy OF an adj
ministrat.on that the removal therefrom Of
present incumbents. III my opinion
should not be made during the
terms for which they were ap
pointed, solely on partisan grounds, an,
for the purpose Of putting in their places thos.
who are In political accord with the appoint
ing power; but many now holding such posi-
tons have forfeited all just claim to reten
ton because they have used their places fol
party purposes in disregard Of their duty t.
the people, and because instead of being de
cent public servants they have proved them
selves offensive partisans and unscrupulou
manipulators Of local party management.
1.-The lessons Of the past should be IN
learned, and such officials as well as thel,
successors should be taught that efficiency
fitness and devotion to public duty are tn,
conditions Of their continuance in publ.
pace, and that the quiet and ,nobtrusive ex
ercise Of individual political rights ID tn,
reasonable measure of their party service
If ! were addressing none but part,
frienfis, should deem IL entirely proper t,
remind them that though the coming admin
istration is to be Democratic, q due regarc
for the peoples interest does not permit faith
full party work to be always rewarded by ap
pointment to Office, and to say to them thai
while Democrats may expect all proper Gun
sideration, selections for Office not embraced
A. -.
upon sufficient inquiry az to fitness, institute
by those charged with that duty, rather thar
upon persistent opportunity or self-solicitet
recommendations on behalf Of candidate,
for appointmes
Yours very truly,
[Signedj "GRovER CLRvrI.ANpn