Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-27
HIS LETTER OF RESIGNATION.


NASHlSGTON, october 20, 1850.
SIR Respectfully referring to q conversation
had with you on March 10Th. IN which l eX-
pressed p vi h to be relieved of my duties as Il
member OF the United States Civil Service Com
mission, and also to the apparent fact that it
was not then your pleasure to consider my re-
quest, have now the honor to tender formally
my resignation, and earnestly beg VOur con-
sderatiOn of the same and its acceptance
While thus asking release from so honorable
trust, desire 10 record my qualification over
the proved practicability and remedial effective
ness OF the reform procedure. Tried veterans
in polite cal warfare view with amazcment the
facilc, though radical, departure from the fani-
liar methods Of the spoilS system of distributing
patronage. strenuous and sincere argument
and also deliberate peryersioa, mark the Opposi-
ton OF the different groups Of antagonists, and
yet II must be conceded that majority of the
political leaders in either party is in
accord Fith the Perdleton law, if its
original enactment and emphatic iu-
dorsement by subsequent Congress were
honest legi -latiYe expressions and not the CO.
ercIon Of moral cOwardice by popular senti-
ment nor partisan legerdeInain In the great
task OF administrative reform, which you have
undertaken in accordance with personal and
party pledges, the people will give aid. II has
been my pleasure, within the last two months
TO visit quite number of States and Territories
of this Union and it was my good fortune to
meet with many of their citizens. 1t is gratify-
ing TO know that the people contide in the un-
equivocal intention of the President to sustain
the merit system in the civil service
They had condemned the evils of the former
methods, and long experience has made their
knowledge accurate. They welcomedthe inaug-
uration of the new era. The distinctive features
OF reform appealed to a typically American SEN
tIment, which recommends and advances
merit With the precise details of the new pro
cedure their acquaintance was not so intimate
To this they are fast succeeding and the result
viii be cordial approval. The inception and
maintenance of great reforms are with the peo-
pie. | believe the fundamental idea of civil
service reform is Characteristic OF American
thought Popular hesitation over the accept
ance of statutory details suggests merely a safe
conservatism. IN the initial stage of this re-
form there was response throughout the ma
ton. Political contests assumed a new
tone, old-time methods of corruption
were discouraged, and 'boSsism'' was grappled
with fresh vigor. The improvement is vet
marked. If the vicious elements still seek OBJ
truSiOn into elections, Thea chances of their
success have been lesSened. The reform spirit
is militant, and advances towards complete
success; corruption by official patronage has
been removed. With the imparting of Il plrer
life to official circles, the power of the private
purse to purchase political honors will be less
dangerous. Public appreciation of the fact
that this reform does not trench upon partisan
ship came late. 1t was studiously maintained
that the civil service was TO be composed of
men who should abjure certain rights of citi-
zenship With the gradual but inevitable rep
utatiOn of this false view the outlines of the
reform at last stood forth in clearness 1t is Il
reform which views the civil service as Il vast
business agency. Its search is for the best at
tainable merit. In business which is not DO
litical, II entOrces no tests of parry. With a
confident trust in the success of your admins
tration, am your obedient servant,
LEROY d. THoNAN.
VO bn Draci1npf