The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-11-03
THOMAN RESIGNS.
HIS LETTER TO THE PRESI-
DENT
Explaining His Reasons for With
drawing From the Civil Service
COmmisSiOn--PreSident Cleve-
lands Reply Accepting Ills
Resignation.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26.-Following is
the correspondence in regard to the re-
signaion OF Judge Thoman, as Civil
Service Commissioner:
u. S. Civil SERVICE CeMMrssroN,)
WAsHINGToN, Oct. 20, 1885.
SIR :--R Respectfully referring TO con.
versaiion lad with you as early as March
10, in which expressed the wish to be
relieved of my dnties as a member OF
the United States Civil Service Commis-
sion, and also to the apparent fact that
1t was not then your pleasure to consid-
er my request, now have the honor to
tender formally nv resignation and ear
nestly TO beg an early consideration OF
tue same and its acceptance.
While thus asking release from so
honorable trust. ] desire to record nv
qualification over the proved practicable.
ity and remedial effectiveness OF the re-
form procedure Tried veterans In po-
liical warfare view with anszemebt the
'acile, though radical departure from the
familiar methods of the spoiIs system
of distributing patronage. Strenuous
and bitter arguments, and also deliber
a'e perversion mark the opposition OF
different groups of antagonists, and YET
VT must be concluded that majority u
the political lea iers in either party is in
accord with the Psndleton law il its
original enactment and emphatic en-.
d,rsement by a subsequent Congress
we're honrs'; legislative expressions and
not the coercion of moral cowardice by
popular sentiment nor partisan legerde-
main. uror,---,--
TIE PEOPLES AID
In the great task Of administrative re.
form which you have undertaken In &C
cordance with personal and party pledges
the people will give aid Il has been
nv pleasure within the last two months
to visit qlite q number OF s. ates and
territories of this u lion, and II was my
good fortune to meet with many Of their
'iz,rs. 1t is gratifying to know thai
the people conf ie in the uneqrivocal
intention Of the President to sustain the
meri, system in the Civil Service. They
had condemned the evils Of former
methods. Long experience had made
their knowledge accurate. They vel
coined the inauguration Of the new fea
ture Of the present reform. appealed to
atypically q American sentiment, which
recommends and advances merit. With
the precise details OF the new procedure
their acquaintance was not go intimate
To this they are fast succeeding and The
result will he cordial approval. The in
ception and maintenance Of great re-
forms are with the people. l believe
that the fundamental idea Of civil ser
vice reform Is Characteristic of Ameri
can thought. Popular hesitation ovel
the acceptance of statu'ory details sug
gesls merely safe conservatism.
TIE INITIAL STAGES.
In the initial stages OF the reform
there was response throughout tn
Nation. Political contests assumed
new tone. old time methods of corrup
ton we're discouraged and bossism wa:
grappled With fresh vigor. The i'm
provement Is yet marked II viciou
elements still seek ohtru.ion into elec
tions the chances of their success hav
heen lessened. The reform spirit is mil
liant and advances toward complete cue
cess. Corruption bv political patronag
has been removed Public appreciation
Of the fact that this reform does no
trench upon sturdy pari.anship come
la'e. II was sedu'ously maintained tha
the Civil Service was to be composed O
men who should ahjure cer ain rights o
citizenship With the gradual hut inev
table refutation OF this false view tn
outlines Of their reform at last stood 70
their clesrnesa. 1t Is a reform whic
views the Civil Service % vast busi
ness agency, lite search is for the bes
attainahle merit. In business. which
not political. it eDforces no test Of party
With conf lent trnst in the success Q
vour administration. I am your ohedien
servant. LEROY D THoMAN.
To the President.