The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-01-03
ROUGH ON THE BOURBONS.
Mr.. Cleveland Renews His OWL Service
Reform Pledge.
He VIII Extend the Principle to Positions
Not Covered by tho Law, Where Discon-
nected With the Administration Policy.

He Will Extend the Principle to Positions
Not Covered by tho Law, Where Discon-
nected With the Administration Policy,
New YORK, Dec. 29.-The following
correspondence relating to the subject of
removals and appointments under Presi-
dent Cleveland's administration is pub
lished:
National Grill Serrice Reform Leaque.
Office ! Pine Street, Nen York, Dec. ~.
lSS4.-The Hon. Grover Cleveland-Sir:
We have the honor to address you on
behalf of the National Civil Service Re-
form League, an association composed of
citizens of all parties, whose sole purpose
is indicated by it's name, and which
takes no part whatever in party contro-
versy. The vast increase in the number
of persons engaged in the civil service
and the grave mischiefs and dangers
arising from tho general prescription in
the service, which for hall century has
followed a change of party control of the
national administration, have produced
SO pre- 70 ind an impression upon tie pub
ward reform were taken with the OPP
Grafton of both parties in the passage of
the reform act of January 16, 1888. The
abuses which that act seeks to correct,
however, are SO strongly entrenched in
the tradition and usages of both parties
that there is naturally widespread an
xiety lest the party change in the ma
tional executive, effected by the late
election, should show them TO be insup-
cradle. But believing. as we do, that
the reformed system cannot be held to
be securely established until it has safely
passed the ordeal of such party change,
and recalling with satisfaction and con
fdence your public expressions favorable
to reform, and your official acts as the
chief executive of the State of New York
we confidently commend this cause to
your patriotic care in the exercises of the
great power with which the American
people have entrusted you.
Respectfully yours,
GEORGE WIN. CURTIS, President.
WIN. PORTS, Secretary, AND
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Albany, ". Y Dec. 25.-Hon George
VIM. Curtis, President, &c Dear Sii ::
Your communication on behalf of the
National Civil Service Reform League
has been received. That practical re-
form in the civil service is demanded is
abundantly established by the fact that
statute, referred to in your communi-
cation, to secure such a result has been
passed in Congress, with the assent of
both political parties, and by the further
fact, that sentiment is generally preva-
lent among patriotic people calling for
the fair and honest enforcement of the
law which has been thus enacted. | re-
gard myself pledged to this because my
conception of true Democratic faith and
public duty requires that this and all
other statutes should be in good faith,
and without evasion, enforced, and be-
cause in many utterancss made prior to
my election as President, approved by
the party to which l belong and which
| have no disposition to disclaim, l have
in effect promised the people that this
should be done.
| am not unmindful of the fact to
which you refer, that many Of our citi-
zens fear that the recent party change in
the national executive may demonstrate
that the abuses which have grown up in
tho civil service are ineradicable. | know
that they are deep rooted, and that the
spoils system has bsen supposed to be
intimately related to success in the m aiu-
tenance Of party organization, and l am
not sure that all those who profess 20 be
the friends of tins reform will stand
firmly among its advocates when they
find it obstructing their way to patron
age and place. But, fully approaching
the trust committed to my charge, no
such consideration shall cause relaxa-
ton on my part of an earnest effort to
enforce this law.
There is class of government positions
which are not within tho letter Of the
civil service statute, but which are 80
disconnected with the policy of an ad-
ministration that the removal therefrom
of the present incumbents, in my opin
ION, should not be made during the terms
for which they were appointed solely on
partizan grounds and for the purpose of
putting in their places those who are in
political accord with the appointing
power. But many now holding such
positions have forfeited all Just claim to
retention because they have used their
places for party purposes, in disregard of
their duy to the people, and because, in
stead of being decent public servants,
they have proved themselves offensive
partizans ard INSCRIPTIONS manipulators
of local party management. The lessons
of tho past should be unlearued, and
such officials, as well as their successors,
should be taught that efficiency, fitness
and devotion to public duty are the con-
ditions of their continuance in public
place, and that the quiet and unobtrusive
exercise of individual political rights is
the reasonable measure of their party
service.
If were addressing none but party
friends, | should deem it entirely proper
to remind them that, though the coming
administration is to be Democratic, a
due regard for the peoples interest does
not permit faithful party work to be al
ways rewarded by appointment to office,
and to say to them that, while Democrats
may expect all proper consideration, Sc
lections for office not embraced within
the civil service rules will be based upon
sufficient inquiry as to fitness, instituted
by those charged with that duty, rather
than upon persistent importantly or self
solicited recommendations on behalf of
candidates for appointment.
Yours, very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.