The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-01-01

The following letter from Gov. Cleveland is
In response to one addressed to him by Geo.
w. Curtis as president of the Civil Service Re-
form League, under date of Dec. %, 1884;
ALBANY, december %, 1891.
10 me Aion. Geor9e William Curtis, Presiden1,
= etc"
Dear Sfr.-Your communication on behalf of
The National civil service Reform League has
been received That "A ! ractical reform In the
civil service is demanded is abundantly
lablished by the fact that statute referred to
in your communication to secure such q result
has been passed in Congress with the assent OF
both political parties, and by the further fe ct
thai u eminent is generally prevalent among
patriotic people calling for the fair and honest
enforcement of the law which has been this
enacted lregard myself pledged to this. be-
cause my conception of true Democratic faith
and public duty require that this and all other
statutes should he in good faith and without
evasion enforced, and because In many utter
ances made prior to my election as President.
approved by the party TO which belong and
which have no disposition to disclaim, have
In effect promised the people that this should
be done. | am not unmindful OF the fact to
which you refer, that many of our citizens
fear that the recent party ehange IN the Natlon-
al Executive may demonstrate that the abuses
which have grown up in the Civil Service are
ineradicable. l know thar they deeply
rooted, and that the spoils system has been
supposed to be Intimately related to success III
the maintenance of party organization. and /
the friends of this reform will stand firmly
among its advocates when they find it obstruet-
Ing Jhelr way 10 patronage ana piitce.
But, fully approaching the trust committed
to my charge, no such consideration shall cause
/, relaxation ON my part of an earnest effort to
enforce this law. There is class OF govern
ment positions which are not within the letter
of the CiVil-Service statute, but which are so
disconnected with the policy OF an adminisra-
ton that the removal therefrom of present in
cumbents. i'll my opinion, should not be made
during the terms for which they were appoint
ed solely partzan grounds, and for the pur-
pose of putting in their places those who are In
political accord with the appointing power.
But many holding such positions have
forfeited all Just claim to retention because
they have used their places for party purposes
IN disregard OF their duty to the people, and be-
cause, instead of being decent public servants,
they have proved themselves offensive parti-
Fans and unschpulous manipulators of local
party management.
The lessons of the past should be unlearned.
and such officials as Well their successors
should be taught that efficiency, fitness and de-
votion to public duty are the condition of their
continuance in public place. and that the quiet
and unobtrusive exercise of individual politi-
cal rights is the reasonable measure of their
party service. il | We're addressing none but
party friends | should deem ii entirely proper
10 remind them that. though the coming adj
minisiration is to be Democratic, due regard
for the peoples interest does not hermit faith-
ful party work to be always rewarded by ap-
polntment to Office, and To say 10 them thlt
while Democrats may expect all proper consld-
Grafton selections for office not embraced with.
i'll the Civil-Service rules Will be based upon
sufficient inquiry to fitness Instituted by
those charged with that duty rather than upon
present Importantly seif-solicited recon-
mendations ON behalf of candidates for APP
pointment. Yours, very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND