Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-06
Tse clrt...srr,rs temrnls.len.
lsy telegraph TO the Dlspatch.l

The Cfvfs-servfce Commission.
10y Telegraph 20 the Dlspatch.l
WASHINGTON. November 5.-The
President tins afternoon appointed Dor
man y. Eaton 20 be a member Of the
Ciyii-Seruce Commission in place Of
Thoman. whose resignation was accept
ed. TO take effect November lst. The
appointment Is bat q temporary one,
however, a. il Is proposed 10 appoint n
permanent successor 10 Thoman in 3
short time. Mr.. Eaton consented to
serve on the commission for few
weeks. IN order % assist the newly
appointed commissioners IN familiar
izing themselves with their duties. and
also 10 close Up certain unfinished mat
tiers in which he is greatly interested.
II is not known who will succeed Mr..
Eaton beyond the fact that the new APP
pointee viii be Republican in full
sympathy with the civil-servioe reform.
President Cleveland to-day expressed
himself as follows 10 q member Of the
editorial staff Of the Post IN regard to
the reorganization Of the Ciyil-Service
Commission
The reorganization Of the Civil
Service Commission was made necessary
by the resignation Of the members Of
The old Board. In such reorganizs-
ton il seemed to me that friends for
the cause could be made in the party
to which belong. and which is at pre-
sent to large extent charged with the
enforcement Of the law by changing
the political complexion Of the
Commission. This view. ] think,
was shared by 81 the old COM
missi0Ders, and the change has thus
far progressed with nothing but the
best feeling a. iaT a ] know, on their
part. In The selection Of new commits
sioners there were so many different
qualifications, which | deemed desira-
Die. that have found II no easy matter
10 fiji the positions with men who
would combine the elements which
consider most useful 10
the fair. honest. and successful
enforcement OF the Law. Prominent
leaders IN the civil-service movement
strongly advised me to select one OF the
commissioners from the South. This /
have done. and the person selectedfro
that locality, ! am quite certain, pos
sesses all the qualifications for AZ eff
Gent officer Mr.. Edgerton never SSw
until yesterday. and ! don't remember
that ever heard Of him until
ChiefJustioe Waite urged him upon
my attention 81 q most excellent
man for the place. From my impress
sion Of him upon a personal interview
and from representations made by his
friends. l am entirely satisfied that no
mistake has been made III ms appoint
ment. cannot nd myself Of the idea
that this ciyil-service reform Is some
thing intended to do practical good
and not mere sentiment invented
for the purpose Of afOrdIng an OPP
portunity 10 ventilEte high-sounding
notions and fine phrases. My plan
Of giving II the greStest possible
usefulness involves the removal Of
stumbling-blocks from the way Of good,
honest men who are inclined 10 It's sup
port. and demonstrates IN every public
manner Us value as adapted to the
everyday affairs Of the Government.
Thus two Democrats were first selected,
and certainly intended TO select them
for two prominent positions ID the
Commission. and this was done largely
IN Difference 70 the sentiments and opIn-
ions held by good men 10 the Demo-
cratic party. and il has also occurred 10
me that II was the plain dictate Of
common sense that one Of the old COM
missioneIs should. if possible. remain
for time 70 AID the new ones. The
preparation Of the report Of the Commits
sion isamosi mport&nt matter, Aiording
an occasion 10 commend reform 10 the
people by exhibiting to them al that II
has accomplished, and Il ought TO be
very useful. too, in removing misappre-
tensions and objections. Deeming the
experience OF one who has been IN the
Commission during lifetime to which the
report will relate Of the utmost value in
lis preparation, ana fully convinced that
the knowledge gained bv connection with
the administration Of the law would be 8
great help at the outset to the new com
mission, obtained the consent Of Mr..
Eaton 10 remain temporarily in the
Commission, and have TO-DAY appoint
ed him in the place Of Mr.. ThOman, the
former Democratic member. When
Mr.. Eaton finally retires shall appoint
a Republican, whose selection viii, !
hope, detract nothing from the strength
and efficiency Of the new commission