The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-09-24
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
DoRMAN b. EAroN,s RESIGNATION
As aIombor of the Owl Service Commits.
Slon-Ho Tells Some PlnIu Truths, to
which tho President Replies Ansbly
and asks Him to Hold on Awhile.

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WASHINGTON, D. c., Sept. 2S.-The Sec
retary OF the Treasury will make a per
sonal investigation OF the case OF Mr.
Sterling, welgher at the New York Custom
House, who was suspended on Monday,
but will take no further action until Col
lector Hedden reports to him all the cir
cumstances attending the removal OF Capt
Bacon and the appointment OF Mr.. ster.
ling.
Mr.. Dorman B. Eaton, chairman OF the
Civil Services Commission, deClares that
the statement that he had charged his ex-
penses at Washington to the Government
is wanton faise6ood. He says that he
did not tender his resignation about the
time the present Administration came in.
and that he would not then have rendered
it had 1t been requested, as he thought the
change at that time contrary To- tie spirit
OF the civil service act.
The following letter OF resignation by
Mr. D0rman B. Elton, Chairman OF the
Civil Ssrvice Commission, and the Presi-
dents reply thereto, which was received
this morning, have been furnished the
Associated Press for publication:
EAroS's REsldNATroN.
u. S. Civil SxRSicE COMMISSION, T.
WASHINGTON, De- o., July2S, 1885
SIR:-In execution If a purpose Of
which l informed You several weeks ago,
very respectfully lender my resignation
as Civil Service Commissioner, but out oI
Difference to your wishes, will not urge
its acceptance until euch time in the
autumn as you may find convenient for
new appointment.
Itmay not, hope, be thought inappro.
pirate il | add some words Ct explanation.
Prior to the passage of the Civil Services
act OF January 10, 1888, had held under
three earlier Presidents, and was then
holding under President Arthur an official
position closely analogous TO my present
Office as Civil Service Commissioner. For
nearly the whole period. had served
without compensation, and had been COM
PEELED to bear my own travelling and
other expenses, inc!uling those oil
journey to Europe and the preparation Of
an extensive report made at the request
Of ons OF those Presidents, but printed by
Congress had taken an active part, by
which my time was largely taxed, in con-
nection with the preparation and passage
Of that act.
TIE VALUE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
Every one OF the five months Of your
administration during which the civil ser
vice act rules have been enforced, with as
much breadth, frmness and fidelity as un-
der that Of President Arthur, has not only
added new evidence OF the utility OF the
new system, upon which he congratulated
the country, but has made more defuits
the settled purpose Of your administration
to faithfully enforce both the Law and
rules in the future. The few changes you
have made in the rules have but added to
their justice and efficiency. So far as I
have been able to learn there is not
member OF your Cabinet who has not, as
theresult OF his experience in oItice, a higher
sense than before OF tho need oil ehiorc-
ing that meritorious system in the public
service, which the civil service act and the
rules have established, and from those at,
the head Of many offices in postal and Gus
toms services, to which the examinations
extend in all parts OF the Union, and
whether they be Republicans holding over
or new officers from tho other party
there has come no reason for believing
that the merit system is not welcomed as
a great benefit to tho public service, q
great influence for honesty in politics, and
a great relief 10 the head OF Office.
IN OTHER DAYS AND OTHER YEARS.
President Arthur in each annual mes
sage after the civil service act, reaftirmed
that judgement OF the Executive Depart
meut, a judgment which he declared ex-
pressed the view Of every member Of his
cabinet. In the daily acts Of the present
administration the same judgment is ap-
proved and enforced.
1t Is possible that IA number OF Congress-
men and politicians Of the dominant party
with considerable following OF ofIice.seek-
ers may, Notwithstanding the vastly aug.
mented strength Of an enlightened public
opinion, repeat the folly OF those OF my
own party in 1874, by resisting the well.
matured judgement and definite policy OF
their own administration on the reform
issue. II such Is to be the fact this is not
the place for showing why such an at
tempt would be far more disastrous than
the Republican restoration OF ofthespoilssys-
TEN against the advice Of President Grant.
Such course, and the conflict 1t would
precipitate, would be regardless Of the
good results Of the Civil Service act, or
any experience in its.administration. In
any part Il might have in such contest,
/ could far better serve the cause
of reform in the exercise Of that full
liberty which is hardly compatible with
the proprieties OF my present Office. And
have The honor Of being, with the high
Your obedient servant,