The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-01-08
CIVIL SERVICE.
Correspondence Between Gov. Cleve-
land and g. W. Curtis on
the Subject.
The Prcsident-Elect Regards Himself
a Pledged to Cru Service
Reform.

The following correspondence. which has
Just been made public ct New York, ex-
plains itself:
NATIONAL CIVIL SERVICE RxronM LxAouE'
Offioe No Pine street.
NEW YORK, Dec -. lssA-
Hon. Grover Cleveland:
behalf Of the National Civil Service Reform
League, an association composed OF cithens OF
all parties, whose sole purpose IL indicated ~
its name, and which takes no part whaiever III
party controversy The vast iocrease. In the
number of persons engaged In the civil service
and the great mischiefs and dangers slisins
which for half century has fol,
lowed the change of party control
OF the national administration have pro
duced so profound an impression upon the pub
lie mind that the first effective steps toward re-
form were taken with the cooperation or both
parties In the passage OF the reform ACT Oh Jan,
correct, however, are 30 strongly mtrenched
In the traditions and usages Of both parties that
there is
effected by the late election should show them
to be insuperable; but believing, as we
to be securely established until it has safely
passed the ordeal OF such party changes, and re-
calling with satisfaction and condolences your
your official acts chief executive OF the State
Of New York, we confidently commend the
cause to your patriotic care In the exercise OK
have intrusted you. Respectfully yours,
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, President
WILLIAM PORTS, Secretary.
John Jay. Morefeld Storey, J. Hall Pleasants,
W: w. MONTGOMERY, Everett y. Wheeler. Fred,
eric CROMWELL, Morrill, Wyman. Jr,. Carl
Scnnrz, slias " Burt ,; a. Ma s,L E
cutive Committee.
ALBANY, Dec 25, 1884.
Hon. George William Curtis, President, etc.
DEAR SIR: Your communication dat d Dec.
N m IN
Civil Service Reform League, has been received
That practical reform in the civil service is de-
manded Is abundantly established by the fact
that the statute referred to n your communica-
ton to secure such result had been passed In
Congress with the assent of both political par
ties, and by the further fact that a sentiment
is generally prevalent among patriotic people
calling for fair and honest enforcement
of the law which has been thus enacted. re-
gard myself pledged TO this, because my con-
ception of the true democratic faith and public
duty requires that this and all other statutes
should be in good faith, and without evasion,
enforced, and because in the many utterances
made prior to my election % President, ap-
proved by the party to which belong and
which have no disposition to discialm. have:
in effect, promised the people that this should
be done. L 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 ineradicable. 1 know they are deep
ly rooted, and that the spoils system has
been supposed to be intimately related to sue
cess in the maintenance of party organization,
and am not sure that those who profess TO be
friends of that reform will stand firmly among
its advocates when they find it obstruc ting their
way to patronage and place; but, fully appre-
ciating the trust committed to my charge, no
such consideration shall cause relaxation on
my j 1T OF an earnest effort TO enforce
this law. There is class OF Govern
ment positions which are not within the
letter of the civil-service statute, but which
are so disconnected with the policy OF
administration that removal therefrom OF
present fncumbents, in my opinion, should not
be made during the terms for which they were
appointed, solely on partisan grounds, and for
the purpose of putting in their places those who
are in political accord with the appointing
power; but many now holding positions have
forfeited all just claim to retention, because
they have used their places for party purposes
cause, instead of being decent public servants.
they have proved themselves offensive
partisans and INSCRIPTIONS manipulators or
local party management. The lessons of the
past should be unlearned, and such officials, as
well as their successors, should he taught that
efficiency, fitness, and devotion to public duty
are conditions of their continuance in public
places, and that quiet and unObtfuslve exer-
else OF individual political rights Is the
reasonable measure of their party service
j should deem it entirely proper to remind
them that, though the coming adminisi ration
is 10 be Democratic, q due regard for the peo-
pies interest does not permit faithful party work
to be always rewarded by appointment TO Office:
and TO say To them that while Democrats may
expect all proper consideration, selections for
Office not embraced within civil service rules
will be based upon sufficient inquiry as to fitness,
instituted by those charged with that duty,
rather than upon the persistent importantly or
self-solicited recommendation on behalf OF cam
didates for appointment Yours very truly.
GROVER CLEVELAND.