Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-01-10

On Dec. 20 the executive committe,
of the National Ciyil-Service Reform
League addressed to President -elcct
Cleveland letter i'll which lie wa.
asked to state lis intended attitude to-
ward the civil-servlce reform act. This
letter and the reply received in retur:'
are as follows:
NATIONAL CIvIL-SERvICE REFORM
LEAGLE, OFFICE PINE SrkkET.
New YORK, Dec. 20, 1884
The Hon. Grover Clevcland-Sii: =
We have the honor to address you o,
behalf of the National Civil-Servic'
Reform League an association COLI
posed of citizens of all parties, who's
sole purpose is indicated by its name
and which takes no part whatever il
party controversy.
The vast incre use in the number OF
persons engaged in the civil-service and
the grave mischiets and dangers arislnS
from the general prescription in the
service which for half century ha,
followed change of party control ot
the national administration, have pro-
duced 80 profound all impression upon
the public mind that the first effective
steps towards refOrm were taken will,
| the cooperation of both parties i'll the
| passage OF the reform act OF Jan. 10th,
1888.
Ine abuses which that act seeks e.
| correct, however, are SD strongly in
trenched in the traditions and usages
of both parties that there is naturally
widespread anxiety lest the part.
change in the national executive effect
ed by the late election should show
them to be insuperable. But, believ-
ing MS we do, that the reformed system
cannot be held to be securely establish
ed until it has safely passed to ordea
OF such a party change, and recalling
with satisfaction and confidence You
public expressions favorable the re-
form and your official acts as the chic
executive of the state of New York
we confidently commend this cause t,
your patriotic care in the exercise OF th'
great power with which the American
people have intrusted you.
Respectfully yours,
GEO. WILLIAM CURTIS,
President.
WILLIAM PORTS,
Secretary.
JOHN JAY, MORRILL, WYMAN,
NJ. SToRx, CARL SCHuRz,
J. H. PLEAsANTs, SILAs W. BURT,
w. MONTGOMERY, A. MAcDoNoUGH,
E. P. WHEELER, w. easy SANGER.
F. CROMWELL, VIM. w. AIKEN,
Executive Committee.
, PRESIDENT ELECT CLEvELAND's REPLY
;, ALBANY, Dec. %, 1884.
: Hon. Geo. William Curtis, Pres
dent, etc.,-Dear Sir: Your cominr
nication, dated Dec. 90, addressed I
, me OH behalf of the National Civ
Service Reform League, has been re
t ceived.
That practical reform in the civ
service is demanded is absolutely es
e tabIished by the fact that a statute, n
3 ferred to in your communication,
e secure such q result, has been passed
: congress, with the assent of both polit
y ical parties; ami by the further tat
/ that sentiment is generally prevalel
C among patriotic people calling for til
n fair and honest enforcement of the La
e which has been thus enacted. l n
a gard myself pledged to this because N
t conception of true democratic faith an
9 public duty requires that this aud a
{ other statutes should be in good fait
= and without evasion enforced, and b.
s cause in many utterances made prit
= to my election rs president, approve
= by the party to which [ belong al
a which have no disposition to disclain
;, have In effect promised the peop
that this should be done.
/ am not unmindtul of the fact
e which you refer, that many of our ci
}. liens fear that the recent party chan!
: in the national executive may demo-
II strate that the abuses which ha,
e grown up in the civil service are inc
|, adicable. l know that they are deep
d rooted, and that the spOils system h;
e been supposed to be intimately relate
d to success in the maintenance of par
: organization, and am not sure that s
n those who profess to be the friends
10 this reform will stand firmly amol
10 its advocates when they find it oil
II structing their way to patronage al
d place.
>. But fully approaching the trust con
is mitted to my charge, nO such consi
: Grafton shall cause relaxation on n
le part of all earnest effort to enforce til
|. law.
l. There is a class of government po
w lllCtl arc HOl WitulII tu0 lcttcE
e the civil-service statute, but which q
IS SO disconnected with the policy of
l. administration that the removal ther
K from of present incumbents, in IL
+. opinion, should not be made during t
terms tor which they were appointe
solely Oh partisan grounds, and Tor /
purpose of putting in their plac
those who are in political accord wi
the appointing power.
rs But many now holding such poi
y tions have forfeited all Just claim
~ retention, because they have used tn,
n. places for party purposes in disrega
.d OF their duty, to the people, and b
IN cause, instead of being decent pub
n. servants, they have proved themselv
o. offensive partisans and unscrupulo
at manipulators of local party manae
ment.
a The lessons of the past should
20 unlearned and such officials, as W
"a as their successors, should be taug
Iv that efficiency, fitness and devotion
=. public duty are the conditions of tn,
J.. continuance in public place, and th
of the quiet and unobstrusive exercise
~ individual political rights is the re,
M enable measure of their party servic
p If l were addressing but my par
~ friends, ! should deem it entirely pro
" er to remind them that though Il
" coming administration ia to no dem