Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-01-01
MIR. oLsYnlAxD,s ponIOr,


Full Text Orthe Correspondence Be-
tween Gov. Cleveland and the Ma
ttonnl own Service Reform League
Correspondence between the National
Civil Service Reform League and Presi-
dent-eleot Cleveland Is published to-day.
The. league officers, with George William
Curtis Is president, writes az follows:
''sIR We have the honor 10 address
you on behalf Of the National Civil Ser
vice Reform League, an association COM
posed Of citizens Of all parties, whose
sole purpose Is indicated by its name,
and which takes no part Whatever in
party controversy. The vast increase in
the number Of persons engaged In the
civil service, and the grave misohieis and
dangers arising from the general pro-
scription In the service, which, for half
q century, has followed change Of party
control Of the nation al administration,
have produced 80 profound an impression
upon the public mind that the first
effective steps toward reform were taken
with the cooperation OF both parties In
the passage Of the Reform act Of January
18th, 1883.
'The abuses which that act seeks to
correct, however, are 80 strongly
entrenohed In the traditions and usages
Of both parties that there Ia naturally
widespread anxiety lest the party change
In the national executive effected by She
late election should show them to be In
superAble but, believing, as We do, that
the reformed system cannot be held to be
securely established until 1t has safely
passed the ordeal Of suoh party change,
and recalling with satisfaction and conf.
dence your public expressions favorable
TO reform and your official acts rs 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"
MR. cLRvRLAND'B REPLY.
The President-elect replies "a follows
'DRAR Sir: Your communication
dated December 20th, addressed to me on
behalf Of the National Civil Service Be.
form League, has been resolved. That q
practical reform In the Oval service II
demanded is abundantly established by
the fact that statute referred to In your
communication to secure such result hal
been passed in Congress with the assent O
both political parties, and by the furthel
fact that sentiment lie generally pre-
valent among patriotic people calling fol
the fair and honest enforcement Of tn,
law which has thus bssn enacted. re
gard myself pledged TO this because ny
conception OF the true Democratic iAitf
and public duty requires that this ant
all other statutes shOuld be in good faitl
and without evasion enforced, ant
because In many utterAnoss made prio
10 my election as President, approved b,
the party to which belong, and which
have no disposition to disolaim, have Il
effect promised the people that thi
should be done.
al an not unmindful Of the fact :
which you refer, that many Of our olti
Gems fear that the recent party change Il
the national executive may demonstrat
that the abuses which have grown up Il
the civil service are ineradicable.
. know that they are deeply rooted, an,
that the spoils system has bsen suppose
to be intimately related to success in tn
maintenance Of party organization, and
! am not sure that all those who profess I
, be the friends Ct this reform will stan
firmly among its advocates when the
find 1t obstruotiug their way 10 patronaR
and place. But, fully Appreciatisg tn
trust committed to my charge, no sue
consideration shall cause relaxation o.
my part OF IN earnest effort 10 enforc
this law.
"There lie class Of government posi-
lions which are not within the letter {
. the Civil Service statute, but which or
so disconnected with the policy Of an nd
: ministration that the removal therefor
Of present inonmbants, In my opinion
should TO; be made during the terms ID
which they Here appointed, solely o
partisan grounds, aud for the purpose
putting In their rlaoss those who are
3 political accord with the apoointin
! power. But many now holding such pC
r silions have forfeited oil Just claims I
, retention becAuse they have used thei
? places for party purposes in disregard {
. their duty to the people, and because, IL
! stead OF being decent public servants
they have proved themselves offensiv
! pArtisans and upsorupulous msnipuli
: tors OF local party management.
"rhe lessons oil the past should be nj
learned, and such officials, as we'll ss thei
, successors, should be taught this
: efficiency, fitness and devotion to publi
duty are the conditions Of their continr
auce in public place, and that the auit
l and uroblrusive exercise OF individui
political rights ia the reasonable measur
! OF their party service. II were address
4 ing none but party friends should deer
I II entirely proper to remind them thai
though the coming administration ia I
be Democrat Q, due regard for tn
peoples interest does not permit faithful
l nAFtu UAFlf n ha 81 i 4 4
/ appointment to ofics; and 10 say to thsr
> that, while Democrats may expect a
proper consideration, selections for ofic
> not embraced within the Civil Ssrvio
: rules will be based upon sufig ient inquir
as to fitness, instituted By those oh arRe
. with tina. duty, rather THAI upon pei
sistent importantly or esif-sol.cite
recon mendatiou on behalf OF the oand
/ dates for appointment.
, GROVER CLEVELAND"
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