The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-10-01

The Resignation of the Civil Service
Commissioner Accepted by
the President.
The Executive, I'm Reply, Says the Civil
Service Law Must be
Observed.
Washington telerram.l

Washington telegram.l
The letter OF Dorman b. Eaton 10 the Presi-
dent, resigning his position as member OF the
Civil Service Commission, and the repy or
President Cleveland accepting the same. were
made public to-day. Mr.. katon's letter, which
is dated July %, says the writer had, several
weeks before that time, determined 10 tender
his resignation, but that he would not urge Its
acceptance until such time as the PRESIDENT
might ind convenient TO make a new appoint
ment to the place MIR. Eaton points out that,
prior TO the passage OF the civil service
.aw Jan as ss and ha was ne them nna hodng
under President Arthur, position closely
analogous TO his present one. During all
that time he had served without compen-
sation. and when the time arrived for executing
the provisions of the law he did not feel called
upon to make any further sacrifice Of his private
interest for the cause OF civil-service reform.
President Arthur, without any intimation to
him, then appointed him Commissioner. He
would have declined the office but was urged
not TO do so by many friends OF reform.
Certain persons charged that he had promoted
the act from selfish motives, and these same
parties now stood ready to charge that his re-
fusal TO accept the position of Commissioners
was n cowardly shrinking from the failure
which was sure to follow any attempt to exc
cute the civl-service law. Under these circum-
stances he accepted the office with the de-
cared purpose of remaining hardly moro
than year, within which time IL was expected
the most difficult part of the work would have
been accomplished. AT the end of that time
the new law had secured the commentator of
the President, united the party in power, and
secured from a committee Of the House OF Rep
resentatlves a report commencing the commits
sion as Intelligent, nom partisan and conscien-
tious." few months later he was about TO in
sist upon being relieved, when friends dissuaded
him, urging that, as a new party was coming
into power. his resignation would be looked
upon as H. eing from the peril OF a crisis No
declaration OF his confidence in the reform pol
icy of the new administration would have freed
him from the damaging plausibility of such q
charge, and he determined to remain in Office
until the reform policy of that administration
had been clearly developed. That time
mitted by all candid men. The few changes
made in the rules had but added to their justice
and efficiency, and there had appeared no rea-
son to sup. ose that the merit system had not
been welcomed by the President and by all
members of the Cabinet as great benefit TO
the public service, great influence for honesty
in politics and a great relief TO the head OF the
Office Mr.. Eaton says he wishes to leave no
doubt of his absolute faith in the continuing
triumph of a reform policy.
President Cleveland's letter OF reply is as
follows:
WASHINGTON, Sept. II, 1885.
Hon. Dorman Il. Eaton:
MY DEAR SIR-I am in receipt of your letter
rendering your resi- nation as member of the
Board of Civil Service commissioners. can
not refrain from expressing my sincere regret
that you have determined to withdraw from a
position in the public service where your intel
ligent performance of duty has been OF ines
Unable value to the country. The friends
OF civil service reform and all those who
desire good government fully appreciate
your devotion to the cause in which
you early enlisted, ana they have seen with
satisfaction that your cal and faith have not
led you to suppose that the reform in which
you were engaged is unsuited to the rules
which ordinarily govern progress in human
affairs, or that 1t should at once each perfec-
ton and universal acceptance You have been
willing patiently to accept good results as
they step by step could be gained, holding
every advance with unyielding steadfastness
The success which thus far attended the work
OF civil service reform Is largely due TO the fact
hat o.Nf0 - ln nroIr,
the theory that real and healthy progress can
only be made IL the people who cherish per-
nicious political ideas, long fostered and en-
couraged by vicious craftsmanship. are per-
suaded that the change contemplated by
the reform offers substantial improvements and
benefits. reasonable tol ration for old
prejudces, graceful recognition OF every aid,
a sensible utilization of every instrumentality
that promises assistance, and a constant effort
to demonstrate the advantages of the new order
OF things, are the means by which this reform
movement will in the future be further ad-
vanced. the opposition of incorrigible spols-
men render cd Intellectual, and the cause placed
upon sure foundation. OF course, there
should be no surrender of principle nor back
ward steps, and all laws for the enforcement OF
the reform should be rigidy executed; but the
benefits which its principles promise Will not
be fully realized unless the acquiescence OF the
people is added to the stern assertion of a doc
trine and the vigorous execution OF the laws
1T is a source of congratulation that there
are so many friends of civil service reform mar
shaled on the practical side of the question,
and that the number is not greater of
those who profess triendliness for the
cause and yet mfschievously and with
supercilious self-righteousness discredit every
effort not in exact accord with their at
tenuated ideas, decry with carping criticism
the labor of those actually In the field of re-
form, and, ignoring the conditions which quail
ify every 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 mem bers OF
my Cabinet to the merit system established
w ri vii Law haiuD W
correct, exhibits an appreciation OF the honest
endeavor In the direction of reform and a dispo-
most gratifying II such treatment of those
upon whom the duty rests of administering the
Government according to reform methods were
the universal rule, and II the endorsements
tration were fairly regarded by all those pro-
Tossing to be friendly to such methods, the
avowed enemies of the cause would be afforded
less announcement.
Il believe in civil service reform and its appli-
cation in the most practicable form attainable.
among other reasons, because IL opens the door
for the rich and the poor alike to participation
In public place holding. And hope the time Is
at hand when all our people will see the ad-
upon merit ind fitness, instead Of dependence
upon the a price or selfish interest Of those who
impudently stand between the people and the
machinery Of their government In the one
case a reasonable intelligence and the education
which Is freely furnished or forced upon the
youth Of our land are the credentials TO office
III Tic otucT buc way 10 IOuHu IN laNOt beCuTtu
by a participation in partisan work often un-
fitting person morally. II 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 advance this reform by a
party restored to power after an exclusion for
many years from participation In the places at
tached to the public service-confronted with n
new system precluding the redistribution OF
such places in its interest-called upon to sur
render advantages which perverted partisan
ship had taught the American people belonged
to success, and perturbed with the suspicion,
always raised in such an emergency, that their
rights in the conduct of this reform had not
been scrupulouslv regarded-should receive due
acknowledgements, and should confirm our belief
that there Is a sentiment among the people bet
ter than desire TO hold Office and patriotic
impulse upon which may safely rest the integ-
rity OF our institutions and the strength and
perpetuity of our Government.
Il have determined to request you to retain
your present position until the LIST day of No
vember next, at which time your resignation
may become operative desire to express my
entire confidence in your alta hment to the
cause OF civi service reform and your ability to
render it efficient aid, and indulge the hope and
expectation that, Notwithstanding the accept
ance of your resignation, your interest in the
object or which you have labored so assiduous-
ly will continue beyond the Official term which
you surrender. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND"