Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-09-24
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The Presidents vigorous Letter.
MERIT AND FITNESS AS QUALIFICATIONS FoR
OFFICE.

The correspondence between Mr.. Dorman II.
Eaton and the President, with relation to Mr..
Eaton's resignation from the civil service COM
mission, has just been made public. Mr., Eat
on's letter of resignation is dated the 2Sth of
July, TO take effect any time I'm the autumn at
the earliest convenience OF the President. He
reviews the history OF the civil service law and
his work upon il; declares that he took the po-
sition OF commissioner only o matter of duty
and on account of his earnest desire 10 see the
cause succeed, and that he has long wished 10
be relieved of the duty. He expresses conf
dence i'm the earnestness of the Presidents sup
port OF the law, and declares that ne would not
have resigned by request, nor have rendered
his resignation Immediately upon the change
of administration, conceiving IL To be repugnant
TO the spirit OF the civil service law Tor him to
have done So
The reply OF the President was as follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, Sept IL, 1855.
Hon. Dorman b. Eaton:
My DEAR SIR: am i'm receipt OF your letter
tendeffng your resignation a member OF the
board of civil service commissioners. 1 cannot
refrain from expressing my sincere regret that
You have determined 10 Withdraw from posi-
ton In the public service where your intslli-
gent performance OF duty has been Of inesIi-
mable value TO the country. The friends Of
civil service reform, and all those who desire
good government, fully appreciated your devo-
ton to the cause In which you early enlisted,
and they have seen with satisfaction that your
zeal and faith have not led you To suppose that
the reform I'm which you were engaged is
suited 10 the rules which ordinarily govern pro-
gress in human affairs, or that ID should at once
reach perfection and universal acceptance.
You have been willing patiently TO accept good
Sodnr as ev ,asy dep Ss
fastness.
The success which thus far has attended the
work OF civil-service reform Is largely due TO
the fact that It's practical friends have proceeded
upon the theory that real and healthy progress
can only be made as such of the peo-
pie who cherish perncious political ideas,
long fostered and encouraged by vicious parti-
sanship are persuaded that the change con-
tempated by the reform offers substantial
improvements and benefits. A reasonable
liberation for old preiudices, graceful recogni-
ton of every aid, sensible utilization OF
every instrumentality that promises assistance,
and constant effort TO demonstrate the adj
vantage OF the new order OF things are
will in the future be further advanced, the OPP
position of incorrigible spoilsmen rendered In
efectual and the cause placed upon sure foun-
dation.
OF course there should be no surrender OF
principle nor backward step, and all laws for
the enforcement OF reform should be rigidly
executed but the benefits which It's principles
promise will not be fully realized unless the
acquiescence OF the people Is added Ia the stern
assertion of a doctrine and the rigorous execu-
ton of the laws.
1t is a source of congratulation that there are
SO many friends OF ciyil-service reform mar
shaded on the practical side of the question and
that the number is not greater OF those who
profess friendliness for the cause. and yet mis-
chievously and with supercilisus self-righteous-
ness discredit every effort not i'm exact accord
with their atienuated ideas, decry with carping
of REFORM and, ignoring the conditions which
bound and qualify every struggle for "A radical
improvement in the affairs OF government, de-
mand complete and immediate perfection.
The reference I'm your letter 10 the altitude o
the members of my cabinet 10 the merit system
established by the civil service law, besides
being entirely correct, exhibits an appreciation
OF honest endeavor in the direction of reform
and disposition to do Justice 70 proved sim
cerity which is most gratifying Ii such treat
ment of those upon whom the duty rests OF adj
ministering the government according TO reform
methods was the universal rule, and il the en-
barrassments and perplexities attending such
an administration were fairly regarded by all
those protesting TO be friendly 10 such methods,
the avowed enemies OF the cause would be
afforded less encouragement
believe in civil service reform and Its ap-
plication in the most practicable form at-
tainabe, among other reasons, because IL opens
the door for the rich and the poor alike to par
tcipation in public pace-holding. And hope
that the time is at hand when all our people
will see the advantage Of a reliance for such an
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 case a reasonable intelligence and
the education which Is freely furnished or
forced upon the youth Of our land are the ere
i'm favor secured by participation In partisan
work, often unntting q person morally, Il not
me d an9 lor ane responsibilities
You will agree with me. think, that the sup
port which had been given TO the present adj
ministration in its efforts to preserve and ad-
vance this reform by party restored TO power
after an exclusion for many years from partici-
patton in the plares attached 10 the public SER
vice, confronted with a new system precluding
the redistribution Of such places in its interest,"
called upon to surrender advantages which q
perverted partisanship had taught the Ameri-
can people belonged to success, and perturbed
with suspicion, always raised In such an emer-
gency, that their rights in the conduct Of this
reform had not been scrupulously regarded,
should receive due acknowledgements should
confirm our belief that there is q sentiment
among the people bettersfhan q desire 20 hold
Office, and q patriotic impulse, upon which may
the strength and perpetuity Of our govern
ment.
I have determined to request you TO retain
your present position until the drst day Of NO
vember next, at which time your resignation
may become operative. I desire 20 expre8 my
entire confidence In your attachment 20 the
cause OF civil service reform, and your ability %
and expectation that, Notwithstanding the &C.
ceptanoe Of your restgnationt your interest In
the object for which you have labored 90 asstdu-
ously viii continue beyond the ofnc1al term
which you surrender. Yours, very truly,
0RovER CLEvEi4AuD.
The 0enesta won the Brenton's Reef challenge
cup In her race with the Dauntlesa. The Ge-
nesta had TO weather Q severe storm, during
which one Of her crew was flung 20 the deck,
and another had his head cut open BY IN iron
ring.
George Wilkes. founder Of Wylkes' Hptrss az
oae 1Snscs, died yesterday afternoon Of BrixhtS
diseese IT his home In New York city.