The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1885-09-24

CIvII~sERvICR.


WAsHISGToS, September 23.--The
following letter ofrcsignation by MIR.
ID. ID. Eaton, chairman OF the civil
service commission, and the presi-
dents reply thereto, which was re-
ccived by Mr.. Eaton this morning.
have been furnished the associal cd
press for publication;
u. S. Civil Service Commission, /
Washington, ID. T.. July Is. 1885 !
SIR: In the execution of purpose
of which | Informed you several
weeks since very respectfully tender
my resigua ion as civil-service COM
missioner, but out of Difference TO
your wishes will not urge its ac-
ccptance until such time in the au-
tumn as you may find convenient for
new appointment. It may
not, l hope, DO thought inap-
propriate IL | add some
words of explanation. Prior to the
passage of the civil service act of
January 10th, 1883, ! had held under
three earlier presidents and was
then holding under ex-Prosident
Arthur, an ilicial position,
closely analogous to my present
office rs civil service commissioner.
For nearly the whole period, had
served without compensation and
had been compelled to bear my own
.rsyeilng ana au.y ptner rn GeispenfGe
preparation of an extensive report,
made ut the request of those prcsi-
dents, but printed by congress. lhad
taken an active part by which my
time was largely taxed, in connection
with the preparation and passage of
that law, and when the time arrived
for executing its provisions ii
seemed TO me that | could not
fairly be called upon to make
further sacrifice OF my private
interests iu aid of civil service reform.
Beside, the enemies of reform were
so kind rs to charge that had pro-
NOTED the act for the terrible purpose
of gaining motor cty ana All Office aud
salary. But President Arthur, with
out the least iutimation to me of his
purpose, nominated me, ana was
confirmed as commissioner, aud when
| was about to decline, the friends OF
the reform, " it'll whom had laborod
for many years in its behalf, insisted
that was in duty bound to accept
their enemies with amiable consist
ency made clear their purpose OF
charging any refusal on my part us n
cowardly act springinR from the
speedy and disgraccful failure sure to
follow any attempt to execute 81
chimericsl aud impraciicable stat.
ute. In such situation had hardly
u liberty of choice, but en- cred upon
my official duties with the declared
purpose of remaining hardly year
within which at least the constructive
work of making rulrs,regulatiops and
of enforcing the new system at its
most difficult stage, could be accom-
: plishcd. But at the end OF that tim,
| had become more deeply than evel
,, interested in the practical application
OF the new System. Its great utilit,
, and easy processes had gained tn
l commentator of the president
united more largely the party in IT
! favor and secured from com
\ mittee of thirteen members Of tn
democratic house of representatives
unanimous report declaring tn
c great usefulness of the law and rule
IL and commenting on what is describe
u as the intelligent, efficient, non-pal
IL ti,an and conscientious work of III
@ civil service commission" cOul
i then see no obligation TO renal
IL longer. That had been done, while
the enemies of reform had declare
impossible; the law and the rul,
wore indicated but there were impra
licabla methods which were not full
~ mstured and remained take part
" thin development. When, a fe'
~ months later, was about TO Insist
~ being relieved, the.e friends dissuad,
IL me by urging that this would be
10 critical period in case new par
N should come into power and, l 81
W plainly, from the hostile journa
~ that should be charged, iflTesigu
y with fleeing from the peril of tn
ois crisis. 1t was clear enough Il
0, no excuse from my long seryi
~ and no declaration of my contideI
~ in tie reform policies of the pre-
W. dental candidate aud the stateInel
80 of the democratic party, would
lieve me from the damaging plau
bility of such charge. Asapiiv
If citizen could scorn the imputati
Ar but as a public officer and Ms bel
or in private way, somewhat identii
with civil service reform, | had
right to make an opportunity Tor
ed, natural enemies, in either party
use such a charge to its defeat
"rhere was another reason WI!
og- could not tender my resignation,
gu should have refused to do so ha
ale been requested at or near the iim
oh your accession TO office. for she
}. regard II as apernicious precedent