The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-10-27
!. S. Civil SERVICE Commission, |
WAsuISGroN, Oct. 20, 1885, I
Commissioner:

NOuaullSA!OutI
U. S. Civil SERVICE COMMISSION,
W4suINGroN, Oct. 20, 1885,
sR:-RespcctfulIy referring to conver,
sation had with you az early as March 10,
in which | expires ed the wish to be
relieved Of my duties as member Of the
United States Civil Services Commission,
and also to the apparent fact that it was
not then your pleasure to consider my re.
quest, now have the honor 10 tender
formally my resignation aud earnestly 70
beg an carly consideration OF the same
and its acceptance.
While tGu9 sskiIg release from so
honorable trust, | desire to record my
qualification over the proved prGCticabl!ity
and remedial effectiveness Of the reform
procedure. Tried veterans iu political
warfare view with amgzsment the facile,
though radica. departure from the familiar
methods OF the spoils system, Of distribut-
ING patronage. Strenuous and bitter argu-
msnts, and also deliberate pefyersiOD marx
the opposition OF different groups OF an
tagonists, and yet 1t must be concluded
that majority OF the political leaters in
either party is in accord with the Pen
dleton law il ita original enactment and
emphatic endorsement by subsequent
Congress were honest; legislative express
sions and not tho coercion Of moral
0SwaEdice by popular Gentim9nt nor par
tisan leserdemsiu.
THE PEoPLEsAID.
In the great task Of administrative re-
form which you have undertaken in ac-
cordarce with personal and party pledges
the people will giveHid. 1t has been my
pleasure within the Last two months to
visit quite number CT States and terri
tories OF this Union, and it was my good
fortune to meet with many OF their Citi-
zens. /: is gratifying 10 know that the
people couRde in the uurquivocal iuten-
lion Of the President 10 sustain tue merit
system in the Civil Service. They
had CONDEMNED d tho evils Of former meth
0da. Long experience had made thsir
knowledge accurate. They welcomed the
Inauguration Of tire new feature OF the
present reform, sppea!ed to typic2Iiy
American sentiment, which recommends
and advances merit. With The precise de-
taIls vi the neT procedure tuelr ecQuain'
tanco was no: SO iutlmate. To this they
are fast succeeding aud the result will be
cordial approval. fht Inception aud main
tenance Of great reforms ara with the peo-
Pile. beueSe that the iundAtuenta! Iiea
OF civil Eetv:ce ref nm iS Characteristic
OF American thought. Popular hesi;a.
ton over the &C :sptalce Of statutory de.
tails sugSests merely a safe corserystiSm.
THE INITIAL STAGES.
In the initial stages OF the reform there
was a response throughout! the Nation.
Political contests assRmeL new tone, old
time methods Of corruption we're discorr-
aged aud bossism was grappled with fresh
vigor. The improvement is yet marked.
II vicious elements still seek ebLrusion into
electi0nH the chaEces Of their success have
been lessencd. The reiGrn spirit ID mill
taut aud advances toward complete sue
Gees. Corruption by political put
ronagc has been removed. Public
appreciation Of the fact that this reform
does not trench upon sturdy partnership
comes late. II was seduiOusly maintained
that the Ulvtt Service wG5 10 bc COmpcaed oI
men who ShouId abiure certsia righta OF
citizenship. With the Rradua! but newt.
able reiutaton oi this false view the out
lines Of their reform at last stood for their
clearness. 1t is u reform which views the
Civil Service as vest business agency, iLS
search ia for the bes. attgiuable merit
In. bus;uess, which is rot political, it en-
forces no test OF party.
With confident trust In the SUCCESS Of
your administration, Am your obsdient
servant LEHoY u. IHoMAS.
TOths President.