The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1885-01-17
Cleveland's Policy Toward Oficc-Secker

Cleveland's Policy Toward Officc-Seekers.
On the goth OF December the National
Civil Service Reform League by George
William Curtis of New York, its presl-
dent, addressed to President-elect Grover
Cleveland a letter asking an intimation OF
his attitude toward the policy of that as
sociation and the civil service reform law
now ON the statute books. Mr.. Cleveland
sent the following explicit reply under
date of the 25th ultimo:
"Your communication dated December
20, addressed to me on behalf Of the Ma
tional Civil Service Reform League, has
been received That practical reform in
the civil service is demanded IS abundant
ly established by the fact that the statute
referred to in your communication passed
by Congress with the assent of both par
ties, and by the further fact tn 1T the SEN
timent is generally prevalent among patri-
otic people calling Tor fair and honest
enforcement of the law which has been
thus enacted. 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 enIorc-
ed. And because in many utterances
made prior to my election as President,
approved by the party to which belong
ed, and which l have no disposition t.,
disclalm, l have In effect promised that
this should be done. am not unmindful
OF the fact to which you refer that many
of our citizens fear that recent party
changes in the national executive may
demonstrate tilat abuses which have grown
up in the civil service are ineradlcable.
l know they are deeply rooted and that
the spoils system has been supposed to be
intimately related to success in the main
tenance Of party organization, and | am
not sure that those who profess to-be
friends to that reform will stand firmly
among its advocates when they find it OBJ
structing their way to patronage and
place. But, fully approaching the trust
committed to my charge, no such consid-
Grafton shall cause the relaxation or my
part of an earnest effort to enforce this
law.
There is class of government positions
which are not within the letter of the civil
service statute, but which are so discon-
nected with the policy of an administra-
ton that removal therefrom of the present
incumbents, in my opinion, should not be
made during the term 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. Many now
holding such positions have forfeited all
Just claims to retention because they used
their places for party purposes in disre-
gard of their duty to the people and
because instead of being decent pubic
servants, they have proved themselves Of
fensive partisans and unscrupulous manip-
ulators of local party management. The
lessons of the past should be unlearned !;
such officials, as we'll as their successors,
should be taught that efficiency, fitness
and devotion to public duty are the cond'-
tions of their continuance in public place,
and that the quiet and unobtrusive exer-
else of individual political rights is the
reasonable measure of their party service.
If I we're addressing none but party
friends, should deem it entirely proper
to remind them that though the coming
administration IS to he democratic, due
regard for the peoples interest does not
permit faithful party work to he always
rewarded by appointment to office, and to
say to them that while the democrats may
expect all proper consideration in the Sc
lection for office not embraced within the
civil service rules, they will he based upon
sufficient inquiry as to fitness. instituted
by those charged with that duty, rather
tn n upon the persistent importantly or
self-solicited recommendations on behalf
of the candidates for appointment"
Dame Rumor has it that young and
energetic cowboy of Prairie Dog valley.
will soon lead to the matrimonial altar one
of Big Goose creeks fairest daughters
Big Horn Sentinel. The picture of this
lustv son of the Prairie Dog wOOing the