The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-01-09
CLEVELAND'S POSITION.
letter from the PYesident-EIect in
Regard 10 civil Service Reform.

letter from the President-EIect i'm
Regard TO civil Service Reform.
The following correspondence has passed
between representatives of the National Civil
Service Reform league and President Elect
Cleveland:
NATIONAL CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
LEAGUE, OFFICE No. PINE STREET,
New YoRK, Dec. 20, 1884
The Hon. Grocer Clereldnd:
SIR: We have the honor to address you on
behalf of the National Civil Service Reform
league, an association composed of citizens of
all parties, whose sole purpose is indicated by
rs name, and which takes no part whatever
In party controversy.
The vast increase in the number of persons
engaged in the civil service and the grave
mischief and dangers arising from the gen
eral prescription in the service which for
half a century has followed change of party
control of the national administration have
produced so profound an impression upon
the public mind that the first effective steps
toward reform were taken with the coopera-
ton OF both PARTIES in the passage of the
reform act of January IL, 1888
The abuses which that act seeks to correct,
however, are so strongly intrenched in the
traditions and uSages of both parties that
there is naturally widespread anxiety lest the
party Ill INC nuUlOnal executive ell
fected by the late election should show them
to be insuperable. But, believing as we
do that the reformed system cannot
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 ex-
pressions favorable to reform, and your
official acts as the chief executive of the
State of New York, we confidently commend
this cause to your patriotic care in the exer-
else of the great power with which the Amer
lean people have intrusted you. Respectfully
yours
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS President.
WILLIAM PORTS, Secretary.
JOHN JAY, NJ WYMAN, Jr,
MOoRF1ELD STOREY, CARL SCHURz,
j. II. PLEASANTS, SILAs w. BURT,
W. w. MONTGOMERY, AR MACDoNoUGH,
+. I. WHEELER, ". G.. SANGER,
F. CROMWELL, WM w. AIKEN,
Executive Committee.
GOVERNOR CLEvELANDs REPLY.
ALBANY, Dec %, 1884.
The Hon. George ". Curtis, President, DC.
DEAR SIR: y our communication dated
December 20, addressed to me on behalf of
the National Civil Service Reform League,
has been received.
That practical reform in the civil service
is demanded is abundantly established by the
! fact that n statute, referred to in your com
munication, to secure such a result has been
passed i'll Congress with the assent of both
political parties; and by the further
| fact that a sentiment is generally
prevalent among patriotic people call
ing for the fair and honest enforcement of
the law which has been thus enacted | re
gard myself pledged to this because my con
ceptlon of true Democratic faith and public
duty requires that this and all other statutes
should be in good faith and without evasion
enforced, and because in many utterauces
made prior to my election as President, APP
! proved by the arty to which | belong, and
which L have no disposition to discain, |
have in effect promised the people that this
should be done.
l am not unmindful of the fact to which
you refer, that many of our citizens fear that
the recent party change in the national
ecutiVe may demonstrate that the abuses
/ which have grown up in the civil service are
ineradicable. | know that they are deeply
rooted, and that the spoils system has been
supposed to be intimately related to sue
cess i'll the maintenance of party
organization, and | am not sure that all those
who profess to be the friends of this reform
will stand firmly among its advocates when
they find it obstructing their way to pat
ronage and place.
But fully approaching 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 positions
| WHICH are llol NIUuIn the letter OF the CIVIL
service statute but which are so discon
nected with the policy OF an administration
that the removal therefrom of present incum-
bents, i'll my opinion, should not he made
during the terms for which they We're APP
pointed solely on partisan grounds and for
the purpose of putting i'll their places those
who are in political accord with the appoint
ing power.
/ Bat many now holding such positions have
forfeited all just claim to retention, because
they have used their places for party pur-
pos s in disregard of their duty to the people,
and because instead of being decent public
servants, they have proved themselves of.
fenSlve partisans and inscriptions manipu.
lators of local party management
The lessons of the past should be unearned,
and such officials, as well as their SUCCESSORS,
should be taught that efficiency fitness. and
their continuance in public place, and that
the quiet and unobtrus!Ve exercise of individ.
ual political rights is the reasonable measure
Of their party service.
IT were addressing none but party friends
should deem it entirely proper to remind
them that though the coming administra.
ton Is to be Democratic. due regard for
the peoples interest does not permit faith
full party work to be always rewarded
by appointment to office; and to say to
them that while Democrats may expect
all proper consideration, selections for office
not embraced within the civil service rules
will be based upon sufficient inquiry as to fit.
nes', instituted by those charged with that
duty rather than upon persistent Importantly
of self-solicited recommendations on behalf
of candidates for appointment. Yours very
truly, GROVER CLEVELAND.