The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-01-02
EXPLAINING HIS POSITION.
Some Very Sensible Remark. by Cleveland.

NEW YoKK, Dec. 29.-The National Civil
Service Reform League on Dec. Goth address
cd letter to President-slect Cleveland, In
which they announced fear that the new
administration might not carry out the pro-
visions Of the Civil Service Act, and ex-
pressed hope that this would not prove TO
be the case. To this Mr.. Cleveland replied
as follows:
ALBANY, Dec. Is, 1884.
Hon. George VIM. Curtis, President:
DEAR STR-Your communication dated
Dec. 10Th, addressed TO me on behalf of the
National Civil Service Reform League, has
been received. That practical reform in
Civil Service is demanded, is abundantly
established by the fact that the statute re-
ferred to in your communication passed in
Congress with the assent of both political
parties, and by the further fact that the SEN
timent is generally prevalent among patriotic
people calling for . fair and honest enforce
mcnt of the law which has been thus ELECTED.
regard myself pledged to this, because my
conception of true Democratic faith and pub
lie duty requires that this and all other States
should be in good faith and without evasion
enforced, because in many utterances prior
to my election as President, approved by the
party TO which it belonged, and which have
nosiisposition to disclaim, l have in effect
promised the people that this should
be done. / am not unmindful of the fact to
which YOU Prefer that many of your citizens
fear that the recent party changes in the ma
tional executive may demonstrate that the
abuses which have grown up in the civil ser
vice are ineradicable.
know they are deeply concerned In that
the spells system has been supposed to be
intimately related. to success in the main.
tainsnce of party organization; and l am not
sure that those who profess TO be friends of
that reform will stand firmly as It's advocates
when they find it obstructing their way to
patronage, and L fully appreciate the trust
committed to my charge. No such consid-
Grafton shall cause a relaxation on my part
Of earnest effort to enforce this law. There
Is class of government positions which are
no; within the letter of the civil service stat
ute, but which are so disconnected with the |
policy Of an administration that the removal
thsrefrom of the present encumbents, In my
opinion, should not be made during the time |
for which they were appointed, solely on
partisan grounds, and for the purpose of put |
ting In their places those who are in politi- |
cal accord with the appointing power. But
many now holding such positions have for |
feited all claims TO their retention because |
the! used their places for party purposes In |
disregard Of their duty to The people, and be-
cause instead of being decent public servants
the! have proved themselves offensive par
tisans and INSCRIPTIONS manIpulators of To-
cal party management. The lessons of the
past should be relearned. Such officials, as
well as their successors, should be taught
that efficiency, fitness, and devotion to public
duty are the conditions of continuance in
public place, and that quiet and unobtru-
sive exercise Of individual political rights is
a reasonable measure of their party service.
III were addressing none but party friends,
| should deem it entirely proper to remind
themthat, though the coming administra-
ton Is to be Democratic, due regard fer the
peoples interests does no: permit faithful
party work to be always rewarded by ap-
pointment to Office, and to say to them that,
while the Democrats may expect all proper
in the selections for Office, not
within thu civil service rules, will
be based upon sufficient inquiry as to fitness
by those charged with that duty,
'ather than upon persistent Importantly or
IN self solicited Recommendations on behalf
If candidates for appointment.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.