Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-01-08

5orrsspondsnoe Between george william
Curtis n Others and President Elect
Brewer Cleveland.

1foVcr Vlevelanus
Tho following correspondence explains itself
National Civil SERVED Reform League, OF,
ace 4 Pine street, New York, Dec. 20, 1854.
Hon. Grover Cleveland Sir: We have tbs
honor to address you on behalf Of the nstiona
civil service reform league. an association com
posed ct eitisops d ali parties, whose sole pur
pose is indicated by it's name and which takes
40 part whatever in party controversy. Thu
vast increase In the number OF persons en-
gagged in civil service and the grave mischief
AID dangers arising from general Pc.
scription in the rerviee which fef hal
q century Has followed changes of party contro
OF the national administration, have produces
80 profound an impression upon the publi'
mind that the first effective steps towarl1r reform
were taken with the cooperation of both parties
in the passage of the reform act of Jan. ~
1883 The abuses which that act seeks TO cor.
rect, however, are 80 strongly entrenched II
the traditions and usages of both parties tina
there is, naturally, widespread anxiety les
the party change 10 the national Executive eff
fectcd BY the late election should show them Il
be inseparable. But, believing, as we do, thai
he reformed system cannot be held 10 DO sc.
mrely established until IL has safely passed
the ordeal OF such party change, and recalling
with satisfaction and confidence your public
NV " IN as eAA = 1893
Official acts as chief executive OF the state OF
New York, we confidently commend this course
TO your patss~tic care in the exercise OF the gresi
power with .Aieh the American people have
entrusted you. .Iiespectfuily yours,
Geo v Curtis. presf VIM, potts Secretary,
J. III Hal fieasauts.. " " Montgomery.
Everett 7. Wheeler, Fred X. Cromwell,
Merrill Wyman, Jr., Carl Sehurz,
Silas W. Burt A. Il McDonough,
William Carey Sanger, William W. Aiken,
Executive Committee.
PRRsIDENT-FIRcT cIEyEIAED's Reply.
Albany N. Y, Dec, Is, 1884 Hen George
William Curtis, resident, etc-Dear Sir:
Ynnr communication dated Dee. 20 addrcsse
to me on behalf of the civil service reform
lea que, has been received That practical re-
form in the civil service is ~demandedis abund
antly established by the factthat the statute re-
ferred TO in your communication To secure
such reeult has been passed in congress with
tho assent of both political parties, and by the
further fact that a sentiment generally pre-
walls among patriotic people calling for the
fair and honest enforcement OF the law which
has been enacted | regard myself pledged to
this because my conception OF triie democratic
faith and public duty requires that this and
all other statutes should be in good faith and
with out evasion enforced, and because in many
utterances made prior TO my election AS presi-
dent approved BY the party to which |
belong, and to which / have no disposition 20
disclaim, / have in effect promised the people
that this should be done. / am not unmIndful
of the fact 70 which you refer, that many OF our
citizens fear that the recent party changsin the
national executive may demonstrate that the
abuses which have grown up IN the civil scr
vice are ineradicable. know they are deeply
rooted, and that the spoils system has been
supposed 10 be intimately related TO success in
the maintenance OF party organization, and ]
am not sure that all those who profess TO be
friends of this reform viii stand firmly among
its advocates when they find il ~obstructing
their way TO patronage and place. But fully
approaching the trust committed to my charge,
no such consideration shall cause a relaxation
on my part of earnest effort 10 enforce this
law. There is q class of government posi-
tons which are nor within the letter Of
the civil service statute, but which are
80 disconnected with the policy Of an
administration that the removal therefrom OF
iire present incumbents, in my opinion, should
not be made during the terms FOR which they
were appointed, solely on partisan grounds and
for the purpose OF putting in their place those
who are in political accord with the appointing
power, But many now holding such positions
have forfeited all just clam 10 retention, be
cause they have used their places for party
purposes in disregard of their duty TO the peo-
pie, and because, instead OF being decent pub.
he servants, they nave proved themselves Of
fensive partisans and INSCRIPTIONS manipu-
lators IN party management The lessons OF
the past should be unlearned, and such OFF,
as well as their successors, should
be taught that efficiency, fitness and daYo-
lion TO public duty are the conditions of
heir continuance in public place. and that
he quiet and unobstrusiye exercise Of individ,
ial political rights Isl reasonable measure OF
heir party service. III was addressing none
but party friends / should deem ii entirely
proper TO remind them that, though the com
Dg administration is TO be Democratic, 3 due
'egard for the peoples interest does not per.
nit faithful party work to be always rewarded
~ appointment to Office, and TO say TO them
bat while Democrats may expect all proper
selections for Office not en-
raced within the civil service rules will be
upon sufficient inquiry 10 fitness, institu-
cd by those charged with that duty, rather
ban upon persistent or self solicited recon.
nendation on behalf OF candidates for appoint
rent You obedient servant,
GROVER CLEVELAND.