Milford chronicle., 1885-01-02

cefNlce REFORM League nave atl
dressed a letter to President-elec
Cleveland, asking him to define hi
position on the important question
of Civil Service Reform. In reply
Mr.. Cleveland acknowledges theneed
Of practical reform in that line, and
pledges himself to enforce the act o.
Jan. 1888. He expects to find it q
difficult task,as many of its strong
est advocates will be found lukewarm
"when they find it obstructing theil
way to patronage or place." He
goes on to say:
"But fully appreciating the trust
committed to my charge, no such
consideration shall cause a relaxa-
tion on my part of an earnest effort
to enforce this law. There is a
class of government positions which
are not within the letter of the Civil
Service statue, but which are so dis
connected with the policy of an adj
ministration that the removal there
from of present incumbents, in my
opinion, should not be made during
the terms for which they were ap-
pointed solely on partisan grounds,
and for the purpose ofputting in their
places those who are in political ac-
cord with the appointing power.
But many now holdingsuch positions
bave forfeited all just claim to reten-
ton, because they have used their
places for party purposes in disre-
gard of their duty to the people, and
because, instead of being decent pub
lie servants, they have proved them
selves offensive partisans and unscru-
pulous manipulatOrs of local party
management. The lessons of the
past should be unlearned; and such
officials, as well as their successors,
should be taught that efficiency and
fitness and devotion to public duty |
are the conditions of their continu-
ance in public place, and that the |
quiet and unobtrusive exercise of in
dividual political rights is the rea-
sonable measure Of their party ser
vice"
We believe Mr.. Cleveland's posi-
ton will be endorsed by men of both
parties, and that but few desire such
change as was once the
lie on the change of administration.
At the same time, it is not the desire
If the people of this country that
CLASS of permanent Office
holders shOR I grow up 81,
Tor should. ....,aelon be ham
cred with a large number of en- {
,loyes who would not indorse its pol
oy but be laboring to reinstate their
riends. {
1t is an honest and laudable ambi- ]
ion for man to desire to serve in
he employ of his country, and, ifhe S
Till qualify himself for it, he has a I
light to look forward to an oppOrtu-
ity to display his talents. As the
erms of government employees ex-
ire, Mr.. Cleveland has right to fill
heir places with those who have a
lbored for his success and will sup a
ort his policy. Men who have used \
heir places for partisan purposes, t
Tho have devoted their time to party c
olitics instead of business, or who
ave made themselves obnoxious by !
ndorsing and circulating campaign
es, and all who have or may be APP d
ointed for the avOwed purpose of v
Embarrassing the incoming admins |
ration may put their houses in order,
Or they will be removed, and it is
ight and just that they should be. q
lr. Cleveland owes his election to D
he action of the Independent Re p
ublicans of New York, men who o
)ined in an effort to overthrow their L
wn party, because they felt that it
ad become corrupt and unworthy \
f their support and he would be false +.
} the trust that they have repOsed p
/ him if he allowed the men to re- b
lain in power who have debased
nat party, and they would be in
over in fact, if not in name, if the
offices were filled with :
ieir adherents. p,
Mr. CleveIo.A-has e''--