The Portland daily press., 1885-09-24

practical friends have proceeded upon the
theory that a real and healthy progress can
only be made as such if the people who
cherish pernicious political ideas, long fos-
tered and encouraged by vicious partisan
ship are persuaded that the change cOntem-
plated by the reform offers substantial i'm
provements and benefits, reasonable tolera-
ton for old prejudiceS, and a graceful recog-
milton of every aid. Sensible utilization of
every instrumentality that promises assist
ance, and a constant effort to demonstrate
the advantages of the new order of things
are means by which this reform movement
Will in the future be further advanced or the
opposition of incorrigible spoilsmen rendered
intfectual, or the cause be placed upon sure
foundation.
Of course there should be no surrender of
principle, nor backward step taken, and all
laws for the enforcement of reform should
be rigidly executed, but the benefits which
It's principles promise will not be fully real
lzed by the people unless is added to stern
assertion OF the doctine, vigorous execution
of the laws. 1t is source of cOngratulation
that there are so many friends of civil ser
vice reform marshaled on the practical side
of the question, and that number is not great
er of those who profess a friendliness for
the cause or act mischievously or with super
clllouS self righteousness, every effort not in
exact accord with their alternated ideas de-
cry with earping criticism the labor of those
actually in the field of reform and ignoring
struggle for radical improvement in the
affairs OF the government, demand COM
plete and immediate perfection.
The reference in your letter to the attitude
OF the members OF my cabinet, to the merit
system established by the civil service law,
besides being entirely correct exhibits an
appreciation of an honest endeavOr in the
direction of reform and disposition to do
justice to proved sincerity which is most
gratifying. If such treatment of those upon
whom the 0ufU rests Of IniStprinO the
government according to reform methods
was the universal rule, and if the embarraSs-
ments and perpleXities attending such an adj
ministration were fairly regarded by all
those protesting to be friendly to such meth
DDS, the avowed enemies of the cause would
be afforded less encouragement.
| believe in civil service reform, and its ap-
pllcatl0n in the most practicable form attain
able among other reasons, because 1t opens
the doors for the rich and poor alike to par
ticipation in public place-holding, and hope
the time is at hand when all of our people
VIII see'the advantage OF reliance for such
appointments upon merit and fitness, instead
OF dependence upon the caprice or selfish in
tereSts of those who impudently stand be-
tween the people and the machinery of their
government. In the one case, reasonable in
telligence and education, which is freely fur
nished or forced upon the youth of our land,
are the credentials to office; on the other, the
way is found in the favor secured by partlcl-
patton in partisan work. often uniting the
person morally, if not mentally and physi-
cally, for the responsibilities and duties of
public employment
l have determined to request you to retain
your present position until the first of No
vember next, at which time your resignation
may become operative. | desire to express
my entire confidence in your attachment to
the cause of civil service reform, and your
ability to render it efficient aid, and indulge
the hope and expectation that notwithstand-
ing the acceptance of your resignation your
interest in the object for which you have la
bored so assiduously will continue beyond
the official term which you surrender
Yours very truly,
GROVER GIFVFJ AND