Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-01-08
President Eject Clereldmd Outlines his
Policy
ALnANY. December 2l. ISL.

ALBANY, December %, 1881
Hon. GEORGE Ma. Curtis, President, Etc..
DEAR SIR-Your communication dated
December 10th, addressed To ne on behalf
of the National Civil Service League, has
been received. That practical reform in the
civil service is demanded is abundantly es-
tablished by the fact that the statute refer
red to in your communication 10 secure such
result has been passed in Congress, with the
assent of both political parties, and by the
further fact that 4 sentiment is generally
prevalent among patriotic people calling
for 4 fair and honest enforcement Of the law
which has thus been enacted. regard my.
self as pledged to this, because my concep-
ton oftrue Democratic faith and plain duty
required that this and all other statutes
should be in good faith and without evasion
enforced, and because in many utterances
made prior to my election rs President, APP
proved by the party TO which belong, and
which have no disposition TO disclaim, |
have in effect promised the people that this
should be done. | am not unmindful ofthe
fact that sone friends OF this reform will not
stand firmly among its advocates when they
find it obsiructing thcir way to patronage
and place but fully appreciating the trust
committed to my charge no such considera-
ton shall cause relaxation on my part Of
an earnest effort 10 enforce this law, though
there Is a class of Government positions
which are not within the letter of the civil
service statute.
Another fact, to which you refer, is that
many OF our citizens fear that the recent
party change in the National Executive
may demonstrate that the abuses which have
grown up in the Civil Service are eradicable.
know they are deeply rooted and that the
spoils system has been supposed to be in.
timately related to success in the mainte-
nance oi party organization, and Lam not
sure tina, all those who profess TO be Repub-
iicans, but who are disconnected with the
policy if an administration should be ro-
tanned, but the removal of the present in
cumbents, in my opinion, should not be made
during the terms for which they were ap-
pointed solely on partisan ground and for
the purpose Of putting in their places those
who are in political accord with the ap-
pointing power. But many now holding
such positions have forfeited all just claim
to their retention because they have used
their places for party purposes in disregard
of their duty to the people, and because in
stead Of being decent public servants they
have proved themselves offensive partisans
and INSCRIPTIONS manipulators Of local par.
ty management. The lessons of the past
should be unlcarned, and such officials Is
well az their successors should be taught
that efficiency, fitness and devotion TO pub
lie duty are the conditions of their contin.
uance in public place, and that the quiet
and unobtru-iye exercise ofindiyidual politi.
cal rights is the reasonable measure of their
party service If ! were addressing none
but party friends | should deem il entirely
proper to remind them that, though the COM
ing administration is 70 be Democratic, a
due regard for the peoples interest does not
permit faithful party work to be always re-
warded by appointment to Office, and so
say to them that, while Democrats may ex-
pect all proper consideration, selections for
Office not embraced within the civil rules
will be based upon sufficient inquiry as to
fitness instituted by those charged with that
duty rather than upon persistent importuni-
ty or self-solicited recommendations on be-
half of candidates for appointment.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.