Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-01-01
Presidsni-E Elect Ciereland Outlines hts
Policy
ALnANY. December 2j. lSsi

ALBANY, December >, 1881.
Hon. Geo,.e Hm. Curtis. Pres dent, Etc..
DEAR sR-Your communication dated
/ December 20th. addressed to me on behalf
of the National Civil Service League has
been received That practical reform in the
civil service j. demanded is abundantly e.
tablished by the fact that the statute refer
red TO in your communication TO secure such
result has been passed in Congress, with the
assent of both political parties, and by the
further fact that sentiment is generally
prevalent among patriotic people calling
for fair and honest enforcement of the law
which has thus been enacted regard my
self as pledged to this, because my concep-
ton oftrue Democratic faith and plain duty
required that this and all other statutes
should be in good faith and without evasion
enforced and because in many utterancc>
made prior to my election as President, APP
proved by the party TO which belong, and
which | have no disposition to disclaim, |
have in effect promised the people that this
should be done. AN not unmindlul ofthc
fact that some friends OF This reform will not
stand firmly among It's advocates when they
find it obslrac.ing their way to patronage
and place, but fully approaching the trust
committed TO my charge no such considera-
ton shall cause relaxation on my part Of
an earnest effort to enforce this law, though
there j. class Of Government positions
which are not within the letter Of the civil
service statute.
Another act to which you refer, is that
many OF our CITIZENS fear that the recent
party change in the National Executive
may demons, Fate that the abuses which have
grown up in the CirilSeryicearo cradicablc.
know they are deeply rooted, and that The
spoils system has been supposed to be in
uma.ely related 10 success in the mainte-
nance OF party organization, and am not
sure that all those who profess to be Repub
licans, bat VINO are disconnected with the
policy II an administration should be re-
tanned, but the removal Of the present in
cumbents, in my opinion, should not be made
during the terms Tor which they were APP
pointed solely on partisan ground and for
the purpose OF putting in their places those
who are in political accord with the APP
pointing power But many now holding
such positions have forfeited all just claim
TO their retention because they have used
their places Tor party purposes in disregard
OF their duty TO the people and because in
stead Of being decent public servants they
have proved themselves offensive partisans
and INSCRIPTIONS manipulators of local par
" management. The lessons of the past
should be unearned, and such officials a.
well as their successors should be taught
that efficiency, fitness and devotion 10 pub
lie du,y are The conditions of their contin-
uance in public place, and that the quiet
and unoD.rusiy exercise olndiyidual politi-
cal rights is The reasonable measure Of their
party service. II were addressing none
but party friends should deem it entirely
proper TO remind them that though the COM
ing adm lis,faton is to be Democratic,
due regard for the peoples interest does not
permit faithful party work to be always re-
warded by appointment TO Office, and ! 50
say to them that, while Democrats may cx-
pcct all proper consideration, selections for
Office not embraced within the civil rules
viii be based upon salhcicnt inquiry as to
fitness instituted by rose charged with that
duty rather tLan upon persistent importuni-
u or scll-solicited re concentrations on be-
haif Of candida,es Tor appointment
Your very truly,
GROVER CL.yELASD.