The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-01-09
THE CIVIL sznv1cz.
Correspondence Betwssn george William
Curtis and Others and President Elect
Grover Cleveland.

0f0Ver Vl0ve1R0d.
Tho following correspondence explains itself:
National Civil Service Reform League, Of
6cs Pine street, New York, Dec. 20, 1884,
Hon. Grover Cleveland. Sir: We have the
honor to address you on behalf of the national
civil service roform league, an association com
posed of citizens of all parties, whose sole pnr
pose is indicated by its name and which takes
no part whatever in party controversy. The
vast increase in the number of persons en-
gagged in civil service and the grave mischiefs
and dangers arising from general pro
scription in the service which for half
4 century has followed changes of party control
Of the national administration, have produced
soprofound an impression upon the public
mind that the first etfectivesteps toward reform
were taken with the cooperation of both parties
in the passage of the reform act of Jan. 10,
1883. The abuses which That act seeks to cor
rect, however, are 80 strongly entrenched In
the traditions and usages$of both parties that
there is, naturally, widespread anxiety lest
the party change in the national executive eff
fected by the late election should show them to
be inseparable But, believing, as we do, that
the reformed system cannot be held to be Sc
curely established until it has safely passed
the ordeal of such party change, and recalling
with satisfaction and confidence your public
expressions favorable to reform, and your
Official acts as chief executive of the state of
New York, we weconfidently commend this course
to your patriotic care in tile exercise Of the great
power with which the American people have
entrusted you Respectfully yours,
Geo. W. Curtis. .Pres't VIM. Potts, Secretary,
John Jay, Moorefeld Storey
J. Hail Peasants, w. w. Montgomery,
Everett p. Wheeler, Fred X. Cromwell
Morrill, Wyman, Jr., Carl Schurz,
Silas W. Burt, A. r. McDonongh,
William Carey Sanger, William ". Aiken,
Executive Committee.
PREslDENT-ELECT CLEyELAND's REPLY.
Albany, N. Y, Dec 25, 1884. Hon. George
William Curtis, President, etc.-Dear Sir:
Your communication dated Dec. 20, addressed
70 me on behalf of the civil service reform
league, has been received That practical re-
form in the civil service is demandedis abund
antly established by the fact that the statute re-
ferred to in your communication to secure
such result has been passed in congress with
the assent Of both political parties, and by the
further fact that q sentiment generally pre-
walls among patriotic people calling for the
fair and honest enforcement of the law which
| has been enacted. I regard myself pledged to
this because my conception Of true democratic
faith and public duty requires that this and
| all other statutes should be in good faith and
| with out evasion enforced, and because in many
utterances made prior to my election as presif-
dent approved by the party to which I
| belong, and to which have no disposition to
| disclaim, I have in effect promised the people
| that this should be done am not unmlndful
VI iACt W WHICH SUu tilttb VI Jul
citizens fear that the recent party change in the
national executive may demonstrate that the
| abuses which have grown up in the civil ser
vice are ineradicable. know they are deeply
| rooted and that the spoils system has been
4 supposed to be intimately related to success in
the maintenance of party organization, and
am not sure that all those who profess to be
friends Of this reform will stand firmly among
| it's advocates when they find it obstructing
| their way to patronage and place But fully
p1,oyy
/ no such consideration shall cause a relaxation
on my part OF earnest effort to enforce this
law. There is q class of government posi-
lions which are not within the letter OF
/ the civil service statute, but which are
SO disconnected wifi the policy of an
| administration that the removal therefrom OF
the present incumbents, in my opinion. should
not be made dnring the terms for which they
were appointed, solely on partisan grounds and
for the purpose of putting in their place those
who are in political accord with the appointing
power. But many now holding such positions
have forfeited all just claim to retention, be
cause they have used their places for party
purposes in disregard Of their duty to the PEG
pie, and because, instead of being decent pub.
lie servants, they have proved themselves Of
fensive partisans and unscrupulous manipu.
lators IN party management The lessons ot
| the past should be unlearned, and such Off.
Gals, as well as their successors, should
be taught that efficiency, fitness and devo
ton to public duty are the conditions Of
their continuance in public place, and tina
the quiet and unobstrusive exercise of individ
ual political rights is reasonable measure OF
their party service. If was addressing none
but party friends I should deem it entrel,
proper to remind them that though the com
ing administration is to be Democratic, du,
regard for the peoples interest does not per
NIT faithful party work to be always rewarded
by appointment to Office, and to say to then
that while Democrats may expect all prope
consideration, selections for Office not EN-
braced within the civil service rules will b
based upon sufficient inquiry to fitness, institu
Z ted by those charged with that duty, rathe
than upon persistapt or self solicited recon
mendation on behalf OF candidates for appoint
ment Your obedient servant,
GROVER CLEVELAND.