McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-01-08
THE NEW POLITICAL REGIME.
n Letter from President Cleveland ia Which
He Discusses Party aud Patronage.

A Letter from Prestdent Cleveland In Which
He Discusses Party aud Patronage.
Following is the letter OF Governor Clevc-
land on civil service reform which has called
out such strong endorsements from the press
and public men irrespective OF party. The
letter was written in answer TO one from
George William Curtis and other members Of
the National Civil Service Reform League.
commencing the civil service reform move
ment to Mr.. CleveIand's attention:
DEAN SIR:-Your communication dated De-
cember Goth, addressed TO me on behalf OF the
National Civil Service Reform League, has
been received That practical reform la the
civil service Is demanded Is abundantly estsb-
lished by the fact that the statute referred To
has been passed I'm congress with .hc assent Of
both political parties; and by the further TACT
that sentiment Is generally prevalent among
patriotic people calling for u fair and honest
enforcement: of the law which has been thus
enacted.
regard myself pledged TO this, because my
conception OF true democratic faith and pub
lie duty requires that this and all other stat
utes should be, in good faith and Without
evasion, enforced, and because in many utter
ances made prior to my election as president,
approved by the party to which belong. anu
which / have no disposition to disclaim, 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 citizens fear that the
recent party change in The national executive
may demonstrate that the abuses which have
grown up in the civil service are ineraficablr.
/ know they are deeply rooted, AMI that the
spoils system has been supposed 10 be inn-
mately related To success in the maintenance
OF party organization, an! | am not si:re tina;
all those who profess to be friends OF this re-
w staD6
when they find 1t obstructlng their way 10 pa
tronage and place. But fully appreciating the
trust committed to my charge, no such consd-
Grafton shall cause relaxation on my part OF
an earnest effort to enforce this law.
There is class of government positions
which are not within the letter Of the civil ser
vice statute, but which are so disconnected
with the policy Of an administration that re-
moval therefrOm OF the present incumbrnts. In
my opinion, should not be made during the
partisan grounds, and for the purpose of put
ting in their places those who are i'll political
accord with the administrative power.
But many now holding such positions have
forfeited all just claim to a retention, because
they have used their places for party purposes
in disregard OF their duty 10 the people, and
because, instead of being decent public ser
wants, they have prOTed themselves offensive
partisans and INSCRIPTIONS manipulators Oh
the local party management
Inc lessons OF the past should DE uniearneo,
and such officials, as well as their Successors,
should be taught that efficiency, fitness and
devotion TO public duty are the conditions OF
their continuance i'll public place, and that q
quiet and unobtrusive exercise of individual
political rights is the reasonable measure OF
their political service.
If were addressing none but party friends
/ would deem it entirely proper to remind
them that, though the coming administration
is to be democratic due regard for the peo-
ple's interest does not permit faithful party
work to be always rewarded by appointment
to Office and to say TO them that, while demo-
Gratis may expect all proper consideration,
selection for Office not embraced within the
civil service rules will be based upon sufficient
inquiry as to illness, instituted by those
charged with the duty, rather than upon per
sistent importantly or self-solicited recoTamen-
dation on behalf of the candidates for appoint
ment. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.