The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1885-01-07
to he able TO make gratifying report
of all the colIieries next October"
Civil Service Reform.

LEAGUE OFFICE, I FINE STREET, NEW
YORK, DEC. ~, 1884. The lion. Gr0ucr
GeCeidHd-Sir We have he honor to
Civil Service Reform League, qn asso-
citation composed of citizens of all par
ties. whose sole purpose is indicated by
its name, and which takes no part
whatever in party controversy. The
vast increase in the number of persons
engaged in civil service, and the grave
mischief and dangers arising from II
general prescription in the service,
which for half IA century has followed IA
change of party control of the National
administration, have produced so pro-
found an impression upon the public
mind that the first effective steps to-
ward reform were taken with the co.
operation of both parties, in the pas
sage of the reform act of January lG,
1888. Abu, es which that act seeks to
correct, however, are so strongly en-
trenched in tradition and usages of both
parties, that there is naturally wide.
spread anxiety lest the party change in
the national executive, effected by the
late election, should show them to he
insurerable; but believing, as we do,
that the reform system can not be held
To be securely established until it has
safely passed the ordeal of such party
change, and recalling with satisfaction
and confidence your public expressions
favorable To reform, and Your official
acts as Chief Executive of the State of
New York, We confidently commend
THIS cause to your patriotic care. in the
exercise of the great power with which
the American people have intrusted
you. Respectfully yours,
GEO. WM. CURTIS, Chairman.
WIN. PORTS, Secretary.
President-elect Cleveland's REP, 3
as follows:
ALBANY, Dec. %, 1854. Hon. Geo,
iIm. curtis, President, etc. DEAR SIR
Your communication, dated Deem
her goth, addressed to me on behalf of
the National Civil Service Reform
League, has been received. That rracti-
cal reform in the civil service is de-
manded, is abundantly established by
the fact that the statute referred to in
your communication to secure such re-
suit has been passed in Congress, with
the assent of both political parties, and
by tie further fact that "A sentiment is
generally prevalent among the patri
Otic people, calling for fair and honest
enforcement of the law which has been
thus enacted. | regard mys elf pledged
to this, because my conception of true
Democratic faith and public duty re-
quires that this aud all other statutes
should be in good faith and without
evasion enforced, and because in many
utterances made prior to my election as
President, approved by the party to
which l belong, and which | have no
disposition to disclaim, have, in effect,
promised the people that this should be
done.
am not unmindiul of the fact to
which you refer, that many of our
citizens fear that the recent party
change in the National Executive may
demonstrate that abuses which have
grown up in the Civil Service are in
eradicable. | know they are deeply
rooted, aud that the spoiIs system has
been supposed to 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 will stard firmly among its
advocates when they find il obstructing
their way to patronage and place. But
fully appreciating the trust committed
to my charge, no such consideration
shall cause a relaxation on my part of
an earnest effort to enforce this law.
There is class of Government posi-
tons which are not within the letter of
the civil service, but which are so dis
connected with the politics of an adj
ministratiOn that remova, .therefrom of
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 places those who
are in political accord with the APP
pointing power. But many now hold
ing such positions have forfeited all
just claim to retention, because they
have used their places for party pur
poses, in disregard of their duty to the
people, and because, instead of being
decent public servants, they have
proved themselves offensive partisans
and INSCRIPTIONS manipulators of local
party management.
The lessons of the past should be un-
learned, and such officials, as well as
their successors, should be taught that
efficiency, fitness and devotion to pub.
lie duty are conditions of their con-
tinuance in public service, and that a
quiet and unobstructive exercise of in
individual political rights is reason
able measure of their party service.
II | were addressing none but party
friends, should deem it entirely prop
er to remind them that, though the
coming Administration is to he Demo-
cratic, due regard to the peoples in
terest does not permit faithful party
work to be always rewarded by sp-
pointment to Office, and to say to them
that while Democrats may expect all
proper consideration, selections for
Office not embraced within civil-service