Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-01-07

Following is President-elect Cleve-
lands reply:
ALBANY, N. Y, Dec. Is, 18S4-Hon. Geo. Vim.
Curtis, and others-DEAR SIRs: Your communica-
uon dated December 20, addressed to me on be-
half of the National Civil Service Reform League
has been received. That practical reform in the
civil service is demanded is abundantly estab-
lshed by the fact that the statute referred to in
been passed in Congress with the assent of both
political parties and by the further fact that the
sentiment is generally prevalent among patriotic
people calling for fair and honest enforce
ment of the law which has been thus
enacted l regard myself pledged to this
because my conception 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 utterances
made prior to my election as president, approved
by the party to which I belong and which have
no disposition to disclaim, have in effect prom
ised 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 change in the national executive may
demonstrate that the abuses which have grown
up in the civil service are ineradicable.
know they are deeply rooted and that the spoils
system has been supposed to be intimately related
to success in the maintenance of party organize
ton and am not sure that all those who profess
to be friends of this reform will stand firmly
among It's advocates when they find it obstruct-
ing their way to patronage and place. But fully
approaching the trust committed to my charge,
no such consideration shall cause relaxation on
my part OF earnest effort to enforce this law.
There is class Of government positions which
are not within the letter of the civil service stat
ute, but which are SO disconnected
that removal therefrom of the present
tncumbents in my opinion should not be made
during the terms for which they were appointed,
solely on partisan grounds and for the purpose Of
putting in their places those who are in
political accord with the appointing power. But
many now holding such positions have forfeited
all just claims to retention, because they have
used their places for party purposes in disregard
to their duty to the people and because, instead
of being decent public servants, they have proved
themselves offensive partisans and INSCRIPTIONS
manipulators Of local party management The
lessons of the past should be unlearned and such
officials, as we'll as their SUCCESSORS should be
taught that efficiency, fitness and devotion to
public duty are conditions of their continuance
in public place and that quiet
and unobtrusive exercise of individual
political rights is a reasonable measure of their
party service. If were addressing none but
party friends should deem it entirely proper to
remind them that, though the coming admins
tration is to be Democratic, due regard for
the peoples interest does not permit faithful
party work to be always rewarded by
appointment to Office and to say to them that
while the Democrats may expect all proper con-
sideration, selection for Offices not embraced
within the civil service rules will be based upon
sufficient inquiry as to fitness instituted by those
charged with that duty, rather than upon per.
sistent importantly or self-solicited recommen.
dation on behalf of candidates for appointment
Yours very truly, GROVER CLEVELAND.