Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-24
THE PRESIDENT ON CIVIL SERVICE REEoRE.


In his letter accepting the resignation of
Civil Service Commissioner Eaton, who
should have been removed long ago for his
offensive craftsmanship" the President,
after expressing his sincere regret" at the
determination of the Commissioner to with
draw from position in the public service
where your intelligent performance Of duty
has been of inestimable value to the coun-
try" proceeds to say
'"The success which thus far has attended the
work of civil-service reform is largely duo to tho
fact that its practical friends have proceeded upon
the theory that real and healthy progress can only
be made as such Of the people who cherish pcrni-
cious political idess long fostcred and encouraged
by vicious partisanship, arc persuaded that
the change contemplated by the reform offers
substantial Improvement and benefits. a reason
able liberation for old prcjudices a graceful re-
cognition of every aid, q sensible utilization OF
every instrumentality that promises assistance,
and constant effort to demonstrate the advan-
tages of che order of things, are the means by
which this reform movement will IN the future b.
further advanced the opposition OF incorrghlo
spoilsmen rendered Intellectual, and tho cause
placed upon sure foundation.
"Of course there should be no surrender of rrn-
ciplo nor backward STEP and oil laws for the en-
forcement of the reform should be rgdy cSccut-
ed. but the benefits which its principles promise
will not be fully realized unless the acqa:escence
of the people is added to the stern assertion Of =
doctrine and the vigorous execution OF the laws.
ut is source OF Congrataat;ou that there are so
many friends of civil service reform MAJ! shaded on
the practical side Of the question and that the num-
bsris not greater Of those who profess frcndlneSs
for the cause, and yet mischievousy and with su-
percilous self-righteousness dscredt every effort
NOT I'M yant pnrI W tt
decry with carping criticism the labor Of those
actually in the field of reform, and, ignoring the
conditions which bound and qualify every strus-
Clio for radical improvement in tho affairs OF
government, demand complete and immediate per-
lection.
1.-The reference in your letter to the attitude O.
the members of my cabinet to the merit system
established by the civil service law, besides being
entirely correct, exhibits an appreciation Of hon.
est endeavor in the direction of reform and Il dis
position to justice to proved sincerity which is
most gratifying If such treatment OF those upon
whom the duty rests of administering the govern
ment according to reform methods the uni
vcral rulo, and if the cuIbarrassmcnts and per-
plexitics attending such an administration were
irly regarded by all those protesting to DO friend
ly to such methods. tho avowed enemies of the
cause would be afforded less encouragement.
II believe in civil service reform, and its aa-
plcation in the most practicable form attainable,
among other reasons because it opens the door for
the rich aud the poor alike to participation il pub
lie placcholdng And hope the time is at hand
when all our people will see tho advantage OF a re-
lance for such opportunity upon merit and
fitness, instead of a dependence upon the caprice
or selfish interest of those who impudently stand
between the people and the machinery Of their
government. In the one reasonable intel
ligence and the education which is freely furnish
cd or forced upon the youth Of our land the
credentials to Office; i'll tho other the way is found
in favor secured by g participation in partisan
work, often uniting person morally, if not men
tally and physically, for tho responsibilities and
duties of public employment.
'You will agree with me, think, tina. the sup
port which has been given to the present admin
istration in its efforts to preserve and advance
this reform by party restored to power after an
exclusion for many years from Anticipation i'll
the places attached to the public service confront
cd with new system precluding the rcdistribu
ton of such places in its nteress called upon to
surrender advantages which perverted partisan
ship had taught the American people belonged to
success, and perturbed with the suspicion, always
raised 10 such an emergency, that their rights in
the conduct of this reform had not been scrupu-
lousy regarded, should receive due acknowledge
ment, and should confirm our belief that there is
sentiment among the people better than desire
to hold office, and patriotic impulse upon which
may safely rest tho integrity Of institutions
and the strength and perpctuity Of our govern
mentu