St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-01-01

act OF January III. 1868. The abuses
which that act seeks TO correct, how
ever, are so strongly intrenched in the
traditions and usages of both parties
that there is naturally widespread
anxiety lest the party change in the
national executive effected by the late
election should show them to be in
superable. 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 a
party change, and recalling with salts
faction aud confidence your public ex-
pressions 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 exercise of the great power
with which the American people have
intrusted you.
Respectfully yours,
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, President.
WILLIAM POTTs, Secretary.
REPLY OF THE PRESIDENT ELECT. .
ALBANY. Dec. 25, 1884.
Hon. George William Curtis, Presi-
dent, etc. Dear Sir: Your commune
cation, dated December 20, addressed
to me on behalf of the national civil
service reform league, has been re-
ceived.
That practical reform in the civil
service is demanded, is abundantly es-
tablished 10y the fact that statute re-
ferred to in your communication, to
secure such result, has been passed
in congress with the assent of both po-
litical parties, and by the further fact
that a sentiment is generally prevalent
among patriotic people calling for the
fair and honest enforcement of the law
which has been thus enacted. / regard
myself pledged to this, because my
conception of trne democratic faith
and public duty requires that this and
all other statutes shOnld be III good
faith and without evasion enforced,
and because in many utterances, made
prior to my election rs president, APP
proved by the party to which | belong
and which | have no disposition to
disclaim, | have in effect promised the
people that this should be done.
[ am not nnmindful of the fact to
which you refer that many of our citi
Zens fear that the recent party change
in the national executive may demon
strate that the abuses which have
grown up in the civil service are in
eradicable. | know that they are deep
ly rooted and that the spoils system
has been supposed to be intimately
related to success in the maintenance
of party organization, and | am not
sure that all those who profess to be
the friends of this 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 relax
alton on my part of an earnest effort
to enforce this law.
There is Il class of government posi-
ti0ns which are not within the letter of
the civil service statutes, but which
are So disconnected with the policy of
an administration that the removal
therefrom of present incumbents, in
my opinion, should not be made dur
ing the terms for which they are APP
pointed, solely on partisan grounds
and for the purpose of putting i'll their
places those who are in political ac-
cord 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
duty to the people, and because, in
stead of being decent public servants,
they have proved themselves offensive
Iartisans and INSCRIPTIONS manipula-
tors of local party management. The
lessons of the past should be unle$rned,
and such officials us we'll as their sue
cessOrs, should be taught that efficien
cy, fitness and devotion to public duty
are the conditions of their continuance
in public place, and that the quiet, and
unObtrusive exercise of individual pO-
litical rights is the reasonable measure
of their party service.
If | were addressing none but party
friends, | should deem it entirely prop
er to remind them that, though the
coming administration is to be demo
cratic, a due regard for the peoples in
terest IdOes not permit faithful party
work to he always rewarded by APP
p0intment to office, and to say to them
that while democrats may expect all
proper consideration, selections for of
flee not embraced within the civil ser
vice rules will he based upon sufficient
inquiry as to fitness, instituted by
those charged with that duty, rather
than upon persistent importantly or
elfsOlicited recommendations on be-
half of candidates for appointment.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.