Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-08
REPLY

11o,, Goo w., Ct. ALBANY, n. Y, Dec. 30.
non. Ge0. VIM Curtis, President, etc
DEAR SIR:-4Our communication dared Dec %
addressed to me on behalf of the national civ Il
service reform league has been received. That
pracClcal reform In the civil service is demanded
Is 4tolnua i established by the fact that the
statute referred to IN your communication to Sc
cure such result has been passed in congress
with the assent Of both political parties and nv
the further fact that the sentiment generally nre-
ValiS among the patriotic people calling for fair
and honest enforcement of the law which has been
there enacted. [ regard myself pledged To this
because my conception Of true Democratic feit6
ana puoHc duty requires that this and all other
statutes should be in good faith and without
evasion enforced, and because in many utterances
ulS'ue prior 10 my election as president approved
Oy Gne party TO which l belong, and which have
no disposition to diSclaim Ihave in effect pronlis
ed the people that this should be done am not
uhheeoLul OF the fact to which you refer that
many OF our citizens fear that the recent party
change IN the national executive may demon
SCrate that the abuses which have grown I'D in
civil service are irradicabe - -
know they are deepIy rooted and that tho
Spots system has been supposed to be nnteIv
related TO success in the maintenance of party or
ganizaLon; and am not sure that all these who
profess 10 De friends of this reform will stand
FIRMLY among its advocates when they find il oh
Structlng their way TO patronage and place But
fully approaching the trust committed to nv
charge, no such consideration shall cause q re-
Taxation on my part of an earneit effort to en-
force this law. There is a class of government
poslGlons also which are not within the letter of
connected with the policy of an administration
Ghat the removal tAerefrOm of the incumbents in
my opinion should not be made durin. the terms
Tor which they were appointed solely on par
tsan grounds and for the purpose of putting in
their place those who are in accord with the
appointing power. But many now holding such
positions have forfeited all just claims to their
retention because they have used their places for
party purposes in disregard of their duty to the
people and because instead of being discreet
public servants they have proved themselves of
fenslVe partlsanS and unSCrupuouS manipulatOrS
OF local party management. The lessons of the
past should be unlearned, 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 in public place
and that quiet and unobtrusive exercise of their
individual political rights is the reasonable meas
ure of their party service
Ii l were addressing none but party friends,
should deem it entirely proper to remind them
that though the coming administration is TO be
democratic, q due regard for the people will not
permit of faithful party work being always re-
Warded by appointment to Office, and to say to
them that while the democrats may expect all
proper considerations, the selections for office,
not embraced within the civil service rules will
be based upon sufficient inquiry as TO fitness in
stituted by those charged with that duty, rather
than upon persistent importantly or sef-solicited
recommendations in behalf Of the candidates, for
appointment. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.