Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-10-01
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WAsuTNGTgN. Sept. II. 1885.

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WASHINGTON, Sept. II, 1885.
Hon Dorman B. Eaton:
My DEAR SRI am in receipt OF yonr letter
rendering your resignation as member OF the
board of civil service commissioners. cannot
refrain from expressing my sincere regret that
you have determined TO withdraw from position
in the public service where your intelligent per
Torrance of duty has been of inestimable value
70 the country. The friends of civil service re-
form, and all those who desire good government
fully appreciate your devotion TO the cause Ia
which you early enlisted, and they have seen with
satisfaction that your zeal and faith nave net led
you to suppose that the reform in which you were
engaged is unsuited TO the rules in which ordi-
nary governments progress in human affairs, or
that L should at once reach perfection and uni
versal acceptance; you have been wiling patent
ly to accept the good results as they step by step
could be gained, holding every advance with I'M
yielding steadfastness. The success which thus
far has attended the work ef 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
People who cherish pernicious, political ideas
long fostered and encouraged by vicious parti-
sanship are persuaded that the change
contemplated by the reform offers substantial
improvement and benefits, reasonable federation
for old preiudices, graceful recognition of every
act and sensible utilization of every instrument
tally that promises assistance and the constant
effort TO demonstrate the advantages Of a new
order Of things are means by which this reform
movement will render the opposition of incor
rigibe spoismen Intellectual and the cause placed
upon sure foundation. OF course there should
be no surrender of principle nor backward step,
and all laws for the enforcement of reform
should be rigidly enforced but the benefits which
its principals promise will not be fully realized
unless the acquiesence of the people Is added to
the stern assertion Of the doctrine and the vigor-
GUS execution of the laws.
1t is source.of congratulation that there are so
many friends of the civil service reform mar
shaded on the practical side OF the question-and
thatnumber is not greater if those who profess
self-rghteousness di scredit every effort not in
exact accord with their attenuated ideas, decry
with carpng criticism the labor of those actual
ly in the field Of reform, and ignoring the condi-
lions which bonnd and qualify every struggle for
radical improvement in TIE affairs Of the govern
meut demand complete and imemediate per-
lection. The reference in your letter TO the
attitude Of members of my cabinet to the merit
system established by the civil service law be-
sides being entirely correct, exhibits an
appreciation of the honest endeavor in the direc-
to proved sincerity, which is most gratifying.
il such treatment of those upon whom the duty
rests Of administering the government according
70 the reform methods was the universal RUE,
and If the embarrassments and perpleXities at
tending such an administration were fairly
regarded by all those protesting TO be friendly
to such methods, the avowed enemies of the
cause would be offered less encouragement |
believed in civil service reform and its applica-
ton on the most practical form attainable
among other reasons; and because
it opens the door for rich and poor alike to par
tlcipation in public place holding, and hope the
time is at hand when our people will see the adj
vantage OF reliance for such an opportunity
upon merit and fitness, instead of a dependence
upon the caprice or selfish interests of those who
impudentiy stand between the people and the
machinery of their government. In the one case
a reasonable intelligence and an education which
is freely furnished or forced upon the youth OF
our land are the credentials to office In the other
the way is found in the favor secured 10y parti-
cipaton in partisan work often uniting per
son morally If not mentally and physically, for
the responsibility and duties of public employ
mept. You will agree with me, think that the
support which has been giver to the present ad-
ministration in its efforts TO preserve and ad-
vance this reform by the party restored to power
after an exclusion for many Years from partici-
patton in toe places attached 10 the
public service and confronted with Il
new system, precnding the redistribution of
such places in its interest called upon to surrend-
er the advantages which perverted partisanship
had thought American people belonged to sue
cess and perturbed with the suspicion always
aroused in such an emergency that their rights
in the conduct Of this reform had not been scru-
pulously regarded, should receive due acRnowl-
edgement and should confirm our belief that
there is sentiment among the people
better than desire to hold Office
and patriotic impulse upon which Ray safely
rest the integrity of our institutions and perpetu'
ity of our government l have determined to
request you TO remain in your present position
until the first day Of November next,
at which time your resignation may
become operative l desire to express
my entire confidence in your attachment
to the cause Of civil service reform and in your
ability to render it efficient aid and tndugle the
hope and expectation that, Notwithstanding the
the object for which you have labored so assidu-
ously and will continue beyond the official term
which you surrender.
Yours very truly,
Ono, tsr, n trtrtr