Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-01-02
CLEVELAND ON olvIL sBRVIoE.
THE PRESIDENT ELECT WRITES LETTER IN RE-
PLY TO AN ENQUIRY FROM THE NATIONAL
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM LEAGUE.


PLY TO AN ENQUIRY FROM THE NATIONAL
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM LEAGUE
ALBANY, Dec, %, 1884.
Hon. George William Curtis, President, etc. /,
Dear Sir Your communication, dated
December 20, addressed to me on behalf Of
the national oivil-service reform league, has
been received
That political reform in the civil service
is demanded, is abundantly established by the
fact that a statute referred to in your com.
munic0tion, to secure such a result has been
passed in Congress with the assent Of both
political parties and by the further fact that
a sentiment is generally prevalent among
patriotic people calling for the fair and hon
est enforcement OF the law which has been
thus enacted. l regard myself pledged to
this because my conception Of true Demo
cratic faith and public duty requires that this
and all other statutes should be in good faith
and without evasion enforced, aud because
in many utterauces, made prior to my cleo
ton as President approved 10y the party to
which belong aud which | have no DISPOSE
ton to disclaim, have ia effect promised
the people that this should be done.
am not unmndful of the fact to which
you refer that many OF our citizens fear that
the recent party change In the national exec
utive may demonstrate that the abuses which
nave grown up III lnt tlNll htINlGe hIt lutEhNl
icabe. l know that they are deeply rooted
and that the spols system has been supposed
to be intimately related to success in the
maintenance of party organization, and l am
not sure that all those who profess to be the
friends OF this reform will stand firmly
among its advocates when they find it Oh
structing their way to patronage and place
but, fully approaching the trust committed
to my charge, no such consideration shall
cause a relaxation on my part of an earnest
effort to enforce the law.
There is a class Of government positions
which are not within the letter of the civil
service statutes, but which are SO disconnect
ed with the policy of on administration that
the removal therefrom of present incum
bents, in my opinion, should not be made
during the terms for which they are appoint
ed, solely on partisan grounds and for the
purpose of putting in their places those who
are in political accord with the appointing
power. But many now holding such posi-
tions have forfeited all Just claim to reten
ton, because they have used their places fol
party purposes in disregard Of their duty tC
| the people, aud because, instead of being de
cent public servants, they have proved them
selves offensive psrtisans and unscrupulous
manipulators of local and party management
| The lessons of the past should be unlearned
| and such officials as well as their successors
should be taught that efficiency, fitness anC
devotion to public duty are the conditions o.
their continuance in public place, aud tina
the quiet and unobtrusive exercise of indi
vidual political rights is the reasonable meas
ure of their party service.
II were addressing none but party friends
l should deem it entirely proper to reminC
them that, though the coming administration
is to be Democratic, due regard for thu
peoples interest does not permit faithful
party work to be always rewarded by ap
pointment to office, and to say to them tina
while Democrats may expect all proper con
siderstion, selections for Office not embrace,
within the civil-service rules will be baset
upon sufficient inquiry as to htness, institut
ed by those charged with that duty, rattle
than upon persistent importantly or self-so
licited recommendations on behalf of candi
dates for appointment. Yours very truly,
(fROyFR CLEVELAND