The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-10-02
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The Presidents Views in a. letter
Accepting EatOn's Resignation.

President Cleveland has sent to MIR Dor
man b. Eaton, chairman Of the civil service
commission, a long letter setting forth his
views and policy in relation to the civil ser
vice, and accepting Mr.. Eaton's resignation,
to take effect November l. The Presidents
letter, after complimenting Mr. Eaton, and
expressing regret at his resignation, con
tinues
The success which thus far has att nded
the work of civil service reform is largely
due to the fact that It's practical friends have
proceeded upon the theory that real and
healthy progress can only be made as such OF
the people who cherish pernicioH5 itoitiCaii
ideas long fostered and encouraged by vic
ious partisanship are persuaded that
the change contemplated by the reform
offers substantial improvement and ben
elits. reasonable liberation for
old prejudlces graceful recognition of every
aid, sensible utilization of every instru-
mentality that promises assistance, and
constant effort to demonstrate the advan-
ta@es of the new order of things are the
means by which this reform movement will
in the future be further advanced, the oppo-
sltlon or ncorrigible spoilsmen rendered
Intellectual, and the cause placed upon
sure foundation. OF course there
should be no surrender of principle, nor
backward step, and all laws for the en-.
forcement of the reform should be rigidly
executed; but the benefits which its
principles promise will not be fully
realized unless the acquiescence of the peo-
pie is added to the stern assertion of a doc
trine and the vigorous execution of the laws,
1t is source or congratuation that there
are so many friends OF civil service reform
marshaled on the practical side of the ques-
ton, and that the number is not greater of
those who profess friend.iness for the cause,
and yet, mischievously and with supercilous
1f.ri Uht aIrN
in exact accord with their attentuated ideas.
decry with carping criticism the labor of
those actually in the field of reform, and, ig
noring the conditions which bind and qualify
every struggle for radical Improvement in
the affairs of government, demand complete
and immediate perfection.
! believe in civil service reform and its ap-
plication i'll the most practical form attain
able among other reasons, because it opens
the door for the rich and the poor alike to a
participation in public paceholiing And |
hope the time Is at hanl when all our people
will see the Vantage of reliance for such
an opportunity upon merit and fitness instead
of a dependence upon the caprice or selfish in
terest of those who impudently stand between
tine people and the machinery of their gov
eminent. In the one case, a reasonable in
telligenCe and the education which Is freely
furnished or forced upon the youth of our
land, are the credentials to office; in the
other, the way is found in favor secured by a
participation in partisan work, often unit
ting 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 advance this reform by party restored
to power after an exclusion for many
years from participation in the places
attached to the public service; confronted
with a new system precluding the redistrl-
button of such places in its interest: called
upon to surrender advantages which per
verified partiSanshlp had taught the Ameri-
can people belonged to success and perturbed
! with the suspicion. always raised i'll such an
| emergency, that their rights in the conduct
| of this reform had not been Scrupuously re-
| garded. should receive due acknowledgement
| and should confirm our belief that there Is a
! sentiment among the people better than de-
| sire to hold Office, and "A patriotic impulse upon
which may safely rest the integrity OF our
institutions and the strength and perpetuity
of our government.
/ have determined to request you to retain
your present position until the first day of
| November next, at which time your reslgna
| ton may become operative l desire TO ex'
! press my entire confidence in your attach.
ment to the cause of civil service reform, and
! your ability to render it efficient aid, and
indulge the hope and expectation that not
outstanding the acceptance of your reslgna
ton, your interest in the Object for which
YOU have labored SO aSsidiouslv will continue
/ beyond the official term which you surren
der, Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.