The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-01-08
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Curtis and Others. ana 3resaAsn3 Nsot
Grover Cleveland.
Tho following correspondence explains itself:
National Civil Service Reform league, Of
Ace 4 Pine strees New rorR, Dsd, 80 ISL
Hon. Grover Cleveland. Sir: W. have the
honor to address you on behalf Of tho national
civil service reform league, an association COM
posed of citizens Of ali parties, whose sole pur-
pose il indicated by its name and which takes
no part Whatever in party controversy The
vast increase in the number Of persons en-
gagged in civil service and the grave mischiefs
and dangers arising from general pro-
scr1ption in tho service which for halt
OF the national administration, have produced
soprofound an impression upon tho bublie
mind that the first effective steps toward reform
were taken with the cooperation Of both parties
IN a the passage Of the reform act Of Jan. IL,
rect, however, are SO strongly entrenched in
the traditions and usages of both parties that
there is, naturally, wide spread anxiety lest
the party change in the national executive ef-
tected by the late election should show them to
The reformed system cannot be hold, to bb So
;urely 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 - chief executive Of the state Of
New York, We confidently commend this course
to your patriotic care in the exercise Of tho great
power with which the American people have
entrusted you. Respectfully yours,
Geo v. Curtis, Prest, VIM. Potts, Secretary,
John Jay, Moorefeld Storey,
J: Hail Pleasauts, W. w. Montgomery,
Everett q: Wheeler, Fred K. Cromwell,
Morrill, Wyman, JE, Carl Schnrz,
Silas ". Burt, A. r. McDonough,
William Carey Sanger, William W. Aiken,
Executive COMMITTEES.
Albany, N. T., Dec Is, lSS4-Hon: George
William Curtis, Preei dent, etc-Dear Sir:
Your communication dated Dec. 20, address sed
to me on behalf of the civil service reform
leag has been received That practical re-
form in the civil service is demandedis abund-
ferred to in your communication to secure
such result has been passed in congress with
the assent Of both political parties, and by the
further fact that a sentiment generally pre-
walls among patriotic people calling for the
fair and honest enforcement Of the law which
has been enacted. I regard myself pledged to
faith and pabe aetV fsa'irsi init Ss' tia aad
ell other Btatutes should be in good faith and
with out evasion enforced and because in ma"v
9tte!"-SSe. made prior to my election 40 presi-
S gen. ,ppr3vsd .! by the party to which
Adisclaim, / haze in effect promised he ppaple
that this should be done 1 am not unrnindful
OF tho fact to which you refer, that many of our
citizens fear that the recent party change in the
national executive may demonstrate that the
vice are ineradicable. know they are deeply
rooted, and that the spoils system has been
supposed to be intimately related to success in
the maintenance ct party 1raanieatitsb, and |
an not sure that ali those Who profess to be
+. Of this reform VII stand firmly among
their way to patronage and place: HHt fiiilyy
approaching tho trust committed to my charge,
no such consideration shall catsa 4 ralaxaticrs
pm my part Of Earnest effort I'd snforcs this
law law. There is class Of government posi-:
the civil service statute, but which are
80 disconnected with the policy of an
administration that the removal therefrom of
the present incumbents, in my opinion, should
not be made during the terms for which they
fgr the ptirp6se Of putting in their place those
who are in political accord with the appointing
power. But many now holding such positions
have forfeited all just claim to retention, be
cause they have used their places for party
pie, and because. instead of being decent pub
lie servants, they have proved themselves Of
fenslve partisans and INSCRIPTIONS manipu- |
!etors IN party management The lessons of
the. past should be- unlearned, and stich Off
rials, as we'll aB their successors, should
be taught that efficiency, fitness and devoz
ton to public duty are the ccnditions OF
their continuance in public place, and that
The quiet and unobstrusive exercise of inGivid-
ual political rights is a reasonable measure of
their party service. If was addressing none
put party friends I should deem it entirely
proper to remind them that, though the COM
ing administration is to be Democratic, q due
regard for the people interest does not per-
init faithful 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 en-
braced within the civil service rules will be
-: a~r-~ .ss";ort ;nn";~y HA.....,
ted by those charged with that duty, rather
than upon persistent or self-solicited recon-
mendation on behalf Of candidates for appoint
uent Your obedient servant,
GROVER CLEVELAND.