The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-03-19
President cleyeland,s Policy.

After the first Cabinet meeting on Tues
day, the 10th, the Washington correspon-
dent of the Philadelphia Times. indepen
dent, telegraphs to that journal the fol-
| lowing:
If anybody here, of all the nervous cN-
pectants in and out of office could tell
what the Cabinet sad and did this If er-
noon he would possess the most interest
| ing information which could be given to
the public Just now. 1t was the first reg
ular meeting of President Cleveland and
his chosen advisers. At it was to be
decided, and probably was decided, the
general policy of the Administration with
regard to the Federal patronage and civil
service reform. This consultation was an
| ticipated the other day by one Of the new
Cabinet when he answered the query OF Il
correspondent I'VE are doing nothing,
can do nothing with this matter of distri-
button Of offices. We will do nothing until
the general policy Of the Administration
is outlined, which will probably be done at
the first Cabinet meeting"
This meeting to-day probably decided
the cases Of the thousands of hungry and
thirsty office-seekers, whose applications
and recommendations lie piled up in the
appointment clerk S rooms in the various
departments or are falling in daily showers
upon the devoted heads of the govern
ment. So far not a detail is known con-
corning what took plaek at the White
House to-day. From the various opinions
expressed by members Of the Cabinet in
dividually, prior to the meeting, and from
the we'll known position of President
Cleveland upon this subject, there can be
but one reasonable inference drawn and
| ,,,lN 10 Il
change.
There is every indication that the Adj
ministration has determined to not only
adhere to the letter Of the law concerning
the civil service, but that it will apply its
spirit to the entire service, irrespective OF
the limits of the statute. This may be
seen in the dimiminished crowds tonight.
1t can be read in the cloudy faces of the
rayenouS spoilsmen and in the cheerful
looks of the department officials. The
infection is abroad. 1t can be felt. There
is to be no tucl1ing to partisans and no
lodging of responsibility. The policy de-
termined upon is understood in all intel
| ligent circles to mean administrative re-
| form in its broadcast and most conipre
hensive sense. BY this it is not meant that
there will be few removals, or that outside
of competitive circles Democrats exclu-
sively will not be appointed to office. A
great many removals will be made simply
because it is the primary step to genuine
reform. Democrats will be appointed in the
places Of those who are thus removed, be-
cause these appointees must be in politi-
cal sympathy with the Administration in
order to make its efforts for the puriiica-
ton and elevation Of the civil service sue
cessful.
Department rings are to be broken up
and efficient men must be allowed to take
the places of those whose tenure is and,
in many instances. has long been based
upon partisan services. This is what the
new Administration to-day determined
upon doing. but at the same time doing
carefully, slowly and with due considera-
ton for the general results to be obtained.
There will be no prescription on account
of politics among those in office. Efficient
men are not to be turned out in any case
where not necessary TO reach the end in
view-the reform promised by Mr.. Cleye-
land. There is to be no stampede or panic
or new broom business. Things are to be
done decently and i'll order. What re-
moVals are made not actually necessary to
an immediate beginning will only be made
upon careful consideration of the qualifi-
cations of the candidates. Good cause
will be required to disturb good public
officer before his commission or term shall
have expired. President Cleveland will
respect the spirit of the tenure of Office
law, both Of the letter and spirit Of which
was observed and broken at pleasure by his
predecessors.