The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-01-06
Journalistic Opinions OF MIR. Cleve-
lands Civil Service Letter.

lanu'S C1vit Service Letter.
The following short extracts. from
leading newspapers show how Mr.. Cleve.
lands letter bss been receivedc
T Ny World The President-elect pro.
Emulgates no new doctrine and takes no
sudden position. file stands where he
has always stood, the advocate of genu-
inc. practical Civil Service Reform. The
lonly thing novel in his present declara
tion is that it comes at this time. It has
been the common practice OF candidates
to ampliiy reform views before election
nd to he silent after election. Blu, it is
characteristic Of Gov. Cleveland that be
speaks at all times tru,hfully and seri
ously and means what he saws. If any.
body expected that Grover Cleveland
would have one voice for the campaign
and another for the Presidency he did
not know the man.
New York Times: This whole letter
lis the pIainest and simplest common
sense, and yet it is one of the most note
worthy political documents has for that
years been the rarest thing known In the
the treatment OF this supreme question
Mr.. Cleveland rises without effort and
naturally to the full height OF bis great
post, and gives new proof that in bis
selection the sagacity Of the people was
not at fault.
New York Herald: Mr.. Ceveland's
letter strikes US as an important notice
to large number of off1ce-holders who,
in the recent canvass carried to shame
/ ful 6x rene their disregard Tor the obi.
| cations OF their positions. 1t Is q decla.
ration made apparently with other pur.
pose than that of courteously answering
some gentlemen engaged in the patriotic
enterprise Of endeavoring to- purify the
public service II Is kind OF personal
platform upon which the PresldeEt-elect
wishes it to be understood that be intends
to stand; and he seems to invite public
attention TO the subject 80 distinctly as to
commit himself in way that be may he
held TO his declaration. He is not afraid
of his responsibilities and does not mean
to shirk bis duties or sneak away under
cover Of delusive interpretations OF the
statute. Few men have been wiser In
the way of holding their peace, and Mr..
Cleveland seems to add to that wisdom a
happy perception Of the time when 1t is
wise 10 say great deal.
Philadelphia Times: As President
elect Mr.. Cleveland believes aud writes
Just as he did while candidate for May.
or, for Governor and for President, and
indicates that his course in the Office he
has been called to fill will be in strict ac-
cord with the policy be has pursued as
Mayor and Governor. He believes that
the spoils system is an unnatural and IN.
healthy growth which has impaired the
value anG the usefulness OF our system
of government, and be promises anew
to do what he can to remove 1t.
This letter Will not, however, bring
much comfort to the men now in Office
who have made their places recruiting
stations for a political party and who
have suddenly been seized with great ad
miration Tor the tenure OF office portion
OF the civil service reform principle. He
serves notice upon such persons that they
will DO expected to 60 and that without
serious or unnecessary delay. And il
there is to be any genuine reform OF ex-
isting methods the official guillotine can.
not be set in motion too quickly. On the
otl.er hand he is no less positive in his
notice to bis own partisans that claims
Of party activity and energetic sclr-seek-
ing are not the elements he will seek 10
filing vacancies.
Washington Post: Mr.. Cleveland's
views upon the civil service qnesticn, in
answer to letter Of the National Civil
Service Reform League, are tersely and
well expressed. They should be entirely
satisfactory, moreover, to the advocates
and adherents Of the reform sy stem
The President t-elect undoubtedly has a
policy in this matter which he intends to
carry out.
Dayton Democrat: Clevelsnd's letter
on civil service reform has the right ring
to it. Only such political pirates and
buccaneers as the mercenary editor OF
the Cincinnati Enqairer can object ID it,
and they are the Republicans whose cor
ruption tarnished the goud name OF our
great Republic.