The Mineral argus., 1885-01-15

Oofeespooaenee Between George Wiliaaa
Curtis ana Others ana President Elect
0rovsr Cleveland.
The following correspondence explains itself:
National Civil Service Reform League, Of
dce Pine street, New York, Dec. 20. 1854
Hon Grover Cleveland Sir: We have the
honor to address you on behalf Of the national
civil service reform league, an association CON-
posed Of citizens Of all parties, whose sole pur-
pose 10 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 mischefs
and dangers arising from general pro-
scriptiOn in the service which for half
century has followed changes of party control
OF the national administration, have produced
sOp-ofOund an impression upon tho public
mind that the first effective stops toward reform
we're taken with the GO operation OF both parties
in M, the passage Of the reform act Of Jan. ID.
1881 The abuses which that act seeks 70 cor
rect however, are 20 strongly entrenched in
the traditions and usagcs Of both parties that
there il, naturally, wide spread anxiety lest
the party change in tho national executive e.
fecfed by the late election should show them to
be inseparable. But, believing, ~ We do, that
the reformed system cannot he held 70 b Sc
curcly established until it has safely passed
the ordeal Of such party change, and recalling
with satisfaction and confidence your public
EXPIRE ssiOns 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 the great
power with which the American people have
Geo. W Curtis. Prest, VIM. Potts, Secretary,
John Jay, Moorefield Storey,
J. Hail Peasante, w W. Montgomery,
Everett 7. Wheeler, Fred X. Cromwell,
Morrill, Wyman, JE, Carl Schurz,
Ri1aa rrk Nj
william Carey Sanger, william ". Aiken,
Executive Committee
rREsiDENr-ELECr CLEvELANDs REPLY.
Albany, N. T., Dec. y, lSSI-Hoa George
william Curtis. President etc.-Dear Sir:
Your communication dated Dec. ~, address sed
to mo on behalf OF the civil service reform
league, has been received That practical re-
form in the civil service is demanded is abund-
sntly established by te fact that the statute re-
fcrred 10 in your communication to secure
such result has been passed in congress with
the assent of both political parties, aud by the
further fact that as,ntiment generally pre-
walls amorg patriotic pcople calling for the
fair and honest enforcement Of the law which |
has been enacted. l regard myself pledged to |
this because my conception Of true democratic |
faith and public duty requires that this and |
al other statutes should be in good faith and |
without evasion enforced, and because in many |
dent approved by the party to which |
belong, and TO which have no disposition to |
llisclaim. have in effect promised the people /
that this should be done l am not unmindful
Of the fact to which you refer, that many Of our
eitizens fear that the recent party change in tho
RATIONAL executive may demonstrate that the
Ibuses which have grown up in the civil SER
rice are ineradicable. know they arc deeply
rooted, and that the spOils System has been
,upposed to be intimately related to success in
he maintenance Of party organization, and
I'm not sure that all those who profess 10 be
friends of this reform will stand firmly among
e advocates when they find it obstructing
heir way to patronage aud place. But fully
Ippreciatlng the trust committed to my charge,
10 such consideration shall csuse . relaxation
N my part of earnest effort to enforce this
aw. There il q class Of government posi-
ions which are not within the letter Of
he civil service statute, but which are
that the removal therefrom Of
no present incumbents, in my opinion, should
lot be made during the terms for which thoy
vere appointed, solely on partisan grounds and
or the purpose of putting in their PLACE those
'ower But many now holding such positions
lsvo forfeited all just claim 10 retention, be
ause they have used their places for party
'urposee in disregard OF their duty to the peo-
lie, aud because. instead of being decent pub
lc servants, they have proved themselves Of
enslve partisans and INSCRIPTIONS manipu.
.tors IN party management The lessons Of
he past should be unlearned, and such OH
g taught that efficiency, fitness and devo-
ion to public duty are the conditions Of
heir continuance in public place, and that
he quiet and unobstrusive exercise Of individ-
al political rights Is a reasonable measure OF
heir party service. II was addressing none
mt party friends l should deem it entirely
roper to remind them that, though tho COM
rs administration is to be Democratic, o due
egard for the peoples interest does not per- |
mt faithful party work to be always rewarded
- fsvpas 10 IN