The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-10-31
THOMAN'S RESIGNATION.
His Review of the Reform Movement-lts
Cordial Approval by the People The
Presidents Acceptance.

His Review of the Reform Movement-Its
Cordial Approval by the People-The
Presidents Acceptance.
Civil Service Commissioner Thoman
has rendered his resignation and it has
been accepted by the President to take
effect November l. The resignation was
rendered and accepted by means of the
following correspondence:
UNITED STATES CIVIL SERVICE CONN, }
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 1885.
SIR: Respectfully referring to CONVEX
sation had with you as early as March 10,
in which expressed the wish to be relieved
of my duties as . member of the United
States Civil Service Commission, and also
to the apparent fact that it was not then
your pleasure to consider my request, now
have the honor to tender formally my resig-
nation, and earnestly to beg an early con-
sideration of the same and its acceptance.
While thus asking release from so honor
able trust, desire to record my gratifca-
ton of the proved practicability and reme-
dial effectness of the reform procedure.
Tried veterans in political warfare view
with amazement the facile though radical
departure from the familiar methods OF the
spoils system of distributing patronage.
Strenuous and sincere argument, and also
deliberate perversion, mark the opposition
of different groups of antagonists. And yet
it must be concluded that majority of the
political leaders in either party is in accord
with the Pendleton law, if its original
enactment and emphatic Endorsement by
subsequent Congress were honest legisla-
tive expressions, and not the coercion of
moral cowardice by popular sentiment nor
partisan legerdeman.
In the great task of administrative re-
form which you have undertaken in accord
ance with personal and party pledges the
people will give aid. 1t has been my pleas
ure within the last two months TO visit a
number of the States and Territories of the
Union, and it was my good fortune to meet
with many of their citizens. 1t IL crafty
ing TO know that the people contide in the
unequivocal intention of the President to
sustain the merit system in the Civil Ser
vice. They had condemned the evils of
the former methods. Long experience had
made their knowledge accurate. They vel
coined the Inauguration of the new. The
distinctive features Of the present reform
appealed to a typically American senti-
nent, which recommends and advances
merit. With the precise details of the new
procedure their acquaintance was no: 80
intimate. To this they are fast succeeding,
and the result will be cordial approval. The
inception and maintenance of great reforms
are with the people. l believe that the
fundamental idea of Civil Service reform is
characteristic of American thought. Pop
ular hesitation over the acceptance Of stat
uto.y details suggests merely safe con-
servatisrn. In the initial stages Of this re-
form there was a response throughout the
Nation. Political contests assumed new
tone. Old-time methods of corruption were
discouraged, and bossism was grappled
with fresh vigor. The improvement is yet
marked. If vicious elements still seek OBJ
trusion into elections, the chances Of their
success have been lessened. The reform
spirit Is militant and advances toward COM
pAete success Corruption by official pa
tronage has been removed. With the i'm
parting of a purer life to official circles, the
power of the private purse to purchase po-
litical honors will be less dangerous.
Public appreciation of the fact that this
reform does not trench upon sturdy parti.
sanship came late. 1t was sedulously main
tanned that the Civil Service was to be COM
posed of men who should abjurs certain
rights of citizenship. With the gradual
but inevitable refutation of this false view,
the outlines of the reform at last stood forth
in clearness. 1t is a reform which viewA
the Civil Service as a vast business agency;
it scratches for the alta Unable merit In bus
mess which is not political. 1t enforces no
tests to party.
With confident trust In the success Of
your Administration. l am your obedent
servant, LEROY ID. THoMAN.
The President.
MIR. CLEvELAND'S REPLY.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, }
WASHINGTON, Oct "a, 1885. !
The Hon. Leroy ID. Thomdn. Cipil Sercice
Commissioner.
MY DEAR SIR: / have received your let
ter rendering your resignation ~ member
Of the CIVIL Service Commission, which is
in furtheranca Of an inclination expressed
by you soon after my Inauguration rs Pres
ident. The resignation thus rendered IL
hereby accepted, to take effect on the first
day Of November next. l congratulate You
upon the fact that in the Office which you
reinquish you have been able. by sincere
and earnest work and by steady devotion
to the cause which you have had In charge,
to do no much in the interest Of good gov