The Indianapolis journal., 1885-09-24

Cne response or President Cleveland to Mr..
Eaton's letter resigning his place as chairman of
the Civil-servics Commission.
"ExECUTIvE MANSION,
WASHINGTON D. c., Sept. IL, 1885
'To Hon. Dorman b. Eaton:
MY Dear Sir-I am in receipt of your letter
tend ering your resignation q member of the
Board of Civil.service Commissioners. cannot
refrain from expressing my sincere regret that
you have determined to withdraw from posi-
tion in the public service where your intelligent
performance of duty has been of inestimable
value to the country. The friends of civil-se
ice reform, and all those who desire good gov
ernment, fully appreciate your devotion for
the cause In Which you early enlisted, and they
have seen with satisfaction that your zeal and
faith have not led you to suppose that the reform
ia which you were engaged is unsuited to the
rules which ordinarily govern progressive
human affairs. or that 1t should at once reach
perfection and universal acceptance. You have
been willing, patiently, to accept good results as
they, step by step, could be gained, holding
every advance with unyieIding steadfastness.
The success which thus far has attended the
work of civilservice reform is largely due to the
fact that ito practical friends have proceeded
upon the theory that real and healthy pro-
gress can only be made as such of
the people who cherish perncious political ideas,
long fostered and encouraged by vicious parti-
sanship, are persuaded that the changes con-
tempated by the reform offers substantial i'm
provement and benefits.
"a reasonable federation for old prejudices,
graceful recognition of every aid a sensible
utilization of every instrumentaity that prom
ises assistance, and a constant effort to demon
strate the advantages Of the new order Of things,
are means by which this reform movement will.
in the future, be further advanced.
the opposition OF incorrigibie spoi}s
men rendered Intellectual and the cause placed
upon sure foundation or course, there should
be no surrender of principle, nor backward step.
and all laws for the enforcement of the reform
should be rigidiy executed. But the benefits
which Its principles promise will not be fully
realized unless the acquiesence of the people is
added to the stern assertion of the doctrine and
the vigorous execution of the laws
1T is source Of congratuiation that there are
so many friends of civil-serviee reform
question and that the number is not greater
OF those who profess friendliness for
the cause. and yet, mischievously and with
supercilous sef-righteousness discredit every
effort not in exact accord with their attenuated
ideas. and who decry with carping criticism the
labor of those actually in the field Of reform,
and ignoring the conditions which bound and
qualify every struggle for a radical improvement
In the affairs OF government, demand complete
and immediate perfection.
The reference in your letter to the attitude
OF the members of my Cabinet TO the merit sys-
tenn established by the civil-service law besides
being entirely correct, exhibits an appreciation
of honest endeavor in the direction of reform
which is most gratifying If such treatment of
those upon whom the duty rests of
administering the government according to re-
form methods the universal rule and if
the embarrassments and perpiexities attending
such an administration were fairly regarded by
all those protesting to be friendly to such
methods, the avowed enemies of the cause
would be afforded less encouragement
II believe in civilservice reform and it's ap-
piication in the most practicable form attaiua-
haao <1n
door for the rich and the poor alike to partici-
patton in public ofice-holding, and hope the
time is at hand when all our people will see the
advantages OF reliance upon such an
opportunity, upon merit and fitness instead
of dependence on the caprice or selfish
interest of those who impudently stand between
the people and the machinery of their govern
ment. In the one case a reasonable intelligence
and the education which is freely furnished or
forced upon the youth of our land are the Gre
dentials to office; in the other. the way is found
In favor secured by participation ia partisan
Work. often uniting person morally, if not
mentally and physically for the responsibilities
and duties of public employment
''You will agree with me- think. that the
support which has been given to the present
administration, in its efforts to preserve and ad-
vance this reform by party restored to
power after exclusion for many years frora par
tclpatlon In the places attached to the public
service-confronted with new system preclud-
ing the redistribution of such places in its inter
est called upon to surrender advantages which
perverted partisanship had taught the Ameri-
can people belonged to success, and perturbed
with ,he suspicion always raised in such an
emergency, that their rights in the conduct of
this reform had not been scrupulously regarded
should receive due acknowledgment and
should confirm our belief that there is a sent-
ment among the people better than o desire to
hold office, and patriotic impulse upon which
may safely rest the integrity Of our institutions
and the strength and perpetuity Of our govern
ment.
81 have determined to request you to retain
your present position until the 1st day of No
vember next, at which date your resignation
may become operative / desire to express my
entire confidence in your attachment to the
render it Efficient aid. and indulgs the hope
and expectation that, Notwithstanding the
acceptance of your resignation. your interest ia