The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-01-03
Mr.. Cleveland on civil-service.


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Mr.. Cleveland on civil-service.
In reply to letter from the Civil-Serviee
Reform League on civil-service, President
elect Cleveland has written reply, which was
given to the press on Monday. Coming from
such a high source and on such a subject, Mr..
CIeveland's letter has attracted general at
tention and the daily press everywhere have
commented upon it. While nearly all COM
mend his utterance, some few dissent. There
never was a more plain and straightforward
production, and never one more misunder
stood. The comments of some of the daily
press are quite amusing, especially those who
hold fine-spun theories on the subject Of civil
service reform. They are in ecstacies over
Mr.. Cleveland's letter, and seem to think that
efficiency will be the only test for position
under the new administration, and that there
will be no removals of those now in Office, or
at least but few.
Mr.. Cleveland is very explicit in all he
says He regards himself as pledged to the
civiI=service law, because all laws should be
enforced in good faith and lcithon evasion,
and has promised that it should be done. Heis
conscientious man, and his oath Of Office
will require him to enforce all laws. He will
be the executive, not the legislative branch of
government. It will be his duty to see that
all laws are faithfully executed, whether they
accord with his ideas of public policy or not.
Nowhere does he say that he approves of the
law, and it is quite certain tn at he does not,
for tits very imperfect.
He calls attention to the fact that there is a
class of government positions not embraced
within the operations of the civil-service law.
The law affects but few, and there are 10000
places that are not within the letter OF the
statute Those that the law does not cover
can be removed for cause, and offensive par
tisanship, Mr. Cleveland declares, is sufficient
cause Upon that platform how many do the
civiI-service reform theorists believe will be
retained? Is it not a fact that partisan SER
vice has been qualification for office under
Republican administrations for twenty years?
Is it not fact that the great majority OF fed
eral office-holders have been Extensively parti-
san in every contest in every state for that
period? Have not those who have refused to
contribute Of their means and labor for Re
publican success been replaced by those who
would? Most certainly, and Mr.. Cleveland
has. in his letter to the Civil Service Reform
League, informed them and the country that
there is to be a general clearing out after
March. There are number of officials that
will be retained, of course. 1t would be folly
to ill all the places by new men. There must
be enough of experienced men retained to
insure accuracy and efficiency. Some officers
of the government have almost spent their
lives in the service, and all such will be con-
tinued.
Mr.. Cleveland also serves notice that all
selections for Office will be based upon suffi-
cient inquiry as to fitness. That is just what
the people expect and will demand, but there
are enough Democrats of proper qualifications
for all positions, and Mr.. Cleveland and the
Heads Of Departments will make their ap-
pointments from the ranks of the Democracy.
Some people think that partisanship is in
consistent with patriotism and honesty. All
such are radically mistaken. Mr.. Cleveland
is a Democrat and strong partisan He has
always been party man and party worker,
yet he gave the city of Buffalo such admirable
government that he was called to be chief ex-
ecutive of the great state of New York. SO
conspicuous was his administration as Cover
nor for honesty, efficiency and ability, thathe.
was selected for the exalted position he is soon
about to assume As mayor and governor he
was Democrat, and filled the places in his
gift with Democrats.
As to the present ciyilservice law, it is
wrong. Applicants for position should be
subjected to proper examination as to their
qualifications. Age should be no bar to APP
plieants, and all commissions should expire
with the administration under which they are
appointed The examinations now required
are simply ridiculous, and the barring out of
persons over thirty five for the postal service
and forty-f for the revenue service, is ride
ulous also. Men at the age of forty-fye are
just entering their prime.
The people of this country will never sane
ton any law creating life-tenure positions, and
Congress mistook public opinion when the
present law was passed Public opinion
everywhere is opposed to long service: 1t is
seen in elections in every. county. Many
good public servants fail of denomination or
reelection for no other reason than the in
cumbents have been in Office long enough.
Life-tenure is contrary to our theory of gov
ernment. All constitutions provide for short
terms, and the people are given frequent OPP
portunity to change officials. The people
would not consent, and no one would propose,
to chose President for life, or congress
man, governor, county or municipal officers.
1t is true that the civil-serviee law only affects
clerks and minor officials, but the people of
this country will never consent to the reten-
ton of any class of officials for life. This is
government of the people by the people and
for the people, not for any select few. At the
recent election the people voted for change.
Not of few heads, merely, but for sweep
ing change. The rascality and corruption of
which the people complained, was not prac-
ticed by the Heads of Departments alone, but
was practiced by very many down to the low
est salaried officer. The minor officials, too,
have been most offensive in a partisan sense,
and change that will turn them out was one
of the meanings of last November's election.
If there is to be no change, the election counts
for but little.
On Monday, December 10th, VIM. E. Glad
stone, the British Premier, completed his 10Th
year, and has been ffty-two yearsin the pub
lie service. Notwithstanding his long service,
Mr.. Gladstone is not great statesman. He
has twice been elevated to the position of
Premier, but his administrations have not been
Successes. He has rather been sentimental