Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-24
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
c1s1L-sERrIcE REFORM.

ser 20 Mr. Eaton
EXECUTIVE MANSION. I
WASHINGTON, Sept. II, 1856.
Hen. Dorman y. Eaton
NV Dear sir.--1 am IN receipt Of your
letter rendering your resignation as q
member Of the Board Of Civil-Serrice
Commissioners. ] cannot refrain from
expressing nv sincere regret that you
have determined 20 withdraw from & po-
sitOn in the public service where your NJ
telligent performance Of duty has been
Of tDestimRble value 70 the country.
TIE friends Of cirii-service reform and
al these who desire good government
fully appreciate your devotion TO me
cause IN which yo0 early enlisted ana
they have seen. with satisfaction, that
xour zeal and faith have not led you 10
eu,pose that reform ID which you were
engaged Is unsultea 20 rules winch or
dlnhriiy govern progress IN human a.
fans. or that IL should AZ once reach
poT}ection ard universal acceptance.
You have been wiling patiently 10 &C
ccyt good results Gs they. step by step,
could be gained. holding every advance
with una icldinT gjesdiastncss. The
success " Inch ihns far has attended the
work Of cigil-strvice reform Il largely
due 10 the fact that IT'S practical friends
have proceeded upon theory; that real
and healthy progress can only be
made r. such. The people who
ohefisb perpicious political ideas.
lopc iosteIed and encouraged 10y yici0ns
paItisunship. are persuaded tina; the
change contemplated by reform offers
substantial Improvements and benefits.
Reasonable federation ioT old preiudices,
graceful recognition Of every aid sen
sIhle utilization Of every instrumental
lily that promises assistance. and CON
staut effort TO demonstrate the sdvan-
tages q the new Order Of things. are
fnefns bv which this reform movement
VII. IN ihe future. be further advanced.
opposition Of IDc0rrlgible spoilsmen
rendered Intellectual. and the cause
placed upon sure foundation. Or
course. there should be no Eurren-
Der Of principle nor backward
step. and all laws for the enforce
mert O. reform should toe riHdly
executed bat the benefits which It's
principles promise VIII not be fully
realized unless The hcqulescence Of the
people Is added 20 the stern assertion o.
doctrine and the rigorous execution OF
the laWs IL II source Of congrntu-
loti0n that there are 50 MANY friends Of
civil-ser,jco reform marshRled on the
practical SIDE o. the question, and that
number ls not greater than those who
profess 'leudlIuess Tor the cause. and
yet uiscte1ously and with suporcihous
sti-uchteousncss disCredIt every effort
Dot III eAaci accord with their attenu-
s'ed ideas. decry with clrpu- crIti-
ca n Tie labor Of those actually IN
the FIELD Of reform. and. ignoring the
conditions which bind God qualify
every Struggle lor radical Improvement
In the Affairs OF government demand
complete and immediate perfection.
TIE reference IL your letter % the
attitude o. The members Of my Cabinet
20 she uUlt system established by the
civi-scrvicc law. besides being entirely
correct. exhibits III appreciation OF
honest eDoenvor IN The direction Of &C.
form and a disposition 10 DO justice 10
proved sincerity which is most crafty
Irc. il such treatment O. those upon
whom TIE duty resi. Of administering
the Government according 10 reform
method vas ibc uul versa rule AMI 4
the embaIIassments and perpiexiues
attending such al administration were
fairly regarded by al those processing
10 be friendly 10 such methods.
hvoWed enemies or the courses would
he afforded less announcement. ] be-
beve in civii-service reform and ITS
application ~ TIE most flBcucable form
attaluall,-0mons other reasons. be-
cause j "Opens the door for The rich and
poor alike IL participation IN public
V.sce-hoidiuc. and ] hope the time Is at
hand whom all our people VIII see the
advantage of rehEnce iof such an oppor-
twuty lpou merit and fitness instead
OF dependence upon the caprice OF self
l.h interest % those who impudenuy
sand between the people and The ma
CiWCy Oi thc.r Government. In one .
case rta- ouahle intelligence and edu-
cIum ~ ilch Is freely furnished or
forced upon the youth Of our land
are credentials SO Office IN the
Other the way is found 10 the
favor secuted bv participation Ia
partisan work. often uniting the per-
son morally. h not mentally aud phy-
sicaly, .oi the Responsibilities and du- .
tcs OF public employment. You viii .
agree with ne. J think. that the SUPP
port Winch has been given 30 the pres
CIT Administrator in its efforts o. pre-
serve AID advance tins reform by the
party e toied 10 power. alter an eX- .
Cluson ioi many years from par
ticIpHuou In places attached 10 public
service. confronted with q new system
pIcclu0.nc redistribution Of such places
IN l;s interest, called upon 10 sur-
Ieudti Advantages which perverted parti-
saushii hal taught the American people
belonged 10 success, and perturbed
with The suspicion. always raised IN
such IN emergency. that their rights
j. the conduct Of This reform had not
been scrupulouSy regarded, should re-
ctive due acknowledgement. and should
confirm our belief that there Is a senti-
neut Emorg tie people better than
oeAire 10 hold office. and patriotic I'M
pulse upon which may safely rest the
of cur institution and the
strength and perpetuty Of our
Government. have determined
10 request you TO retain your
present position until the Isl
cay Of November next al which
time your resignation NAV become
desire 10 express my
euine confidence II your attachment 10
tbe cause o. eiVil-serYice reform and
y cur ability 20 render II efficient ard,
and ! indulge the hope aud expectation
ths;. Notwithstanding the acceptance Of
y cur resignation. your interest in The
object ioi which you have lsbore5 80
assiduously viii continue beyond the
Official tern which your surrender.
Yours, very truly.
GROVER CIEvELAND.