The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-10-07
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
DOrman B. Eaton, Chairman of
the Commission, Resigns.
The President Writes a Letter Ao-
cepting the Resignation

President Cleveland has sent to Mr.. Dor.
man B. Eaton, chairman Of the civil service
commission, a long letter setting forth his
views and policy in relation to tho civil SER
vice, and accepting Mr. Eaton's resignation,
to take effect November 1. Mr.. Eaton, in
his letter of resignation, says
that when President Arthur nomi-
mated him, and he was con-
firmed as commissioner he was about tc de-
cline the nomination, but the friends of 10
form, with whom lie had labored for many
years, insisted that he was in duty bound to
accept, especially as the enemies of reform
made clear their purpose of charging any
refusal on his part "as coward
ly shrinking from the speedy
and disgraceful failure sure to follow any at
tempt to execute so chimerical and impractl-
cattle statute" He therefore entered on
his official duties, he says, with the declared
purpose Of remaining hardly more than
year, at which time lie expected to get the
system in working order. Mr.. Eaton closes
by eXpreSsin, his absolute faith in the con-
tinucd triumph Of the reform po;ic;.' In
deed, he says, 1.-The contest is alira ly over III
that part OF tho government to which
alone all legitimate authority and re-
sponSibilty for appointments and removals
rests, and in which alone the thorough infor-
nation needed for a correct Judgment rs to
the utility Of the new system exists" He
thinks, however, that it is possible that the
politicians and Congressman of the dominant
party may prevail over the wel!-matured
.,,lo <,f hni,. o1t,,i In,
tho contest which would result from such q
course he says be could far better serve the
cause of reform in the exercise of that full
liberty which is hardly compatible with tho
proprieties of his present office.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASIIINGToS, Sept. II, 1SS5.
The Hon. Dorman B. Eaton.
My DEAR SIR: am in receipt of your let
ter rendering your resignation as member
of the board or civil service commissioners.
I cannot refrain from expressing my sincere
regret that you have determined to Withdraw
from position in the public service where
Your intelligent performance Of duty has
been of inestimable value to the country.
The friends of civil service reform and all
those who desire good government fully
appreciate your devotion to the cause
in which you early enlisted; and they have
seen with satisfaction that your zeal and
that the reform In which you were
engaged is unsuted to the rules which
ordinarily govern progress in human at-
fairs, or that it should at once reach perfec-
tion and universal acceptance. You have
been willing patiently to accept good re-
suits as they, step by step, could be gained,
holding every advance with unyielding
steadfastness.
The success which thus far has att.ndel
the work of civil service reform is largely
due to the fact that its practical friends have
proceeded upon the theory that real and
healthy progress can only be made as such Of
the people who cherish pernicious political
ideas, long fostered and encouraged by vic
ious partisanship, are persuaded that
the change contemplated by the reform
offers substantial improvement and ben
efits. A reasonable federation for
old prejudices, graceful recognition of every
aid, sensible utilization OF every instru-
mentality that promises assistance and
tages of the new order Of things are the
means by which this leform movement will
in the future be further advanced, the oppo-
sition OF incorrigble spoilsmen rendered
Intellectual, and the cause placed upon
q sure foundation. Of course there
should be no surrender Of principle, nor
backward STEP and all laws for the en-
forcement of the reform shoull b. riylIy
executed; but the benefits wh!ca its
principles promise will not be fully
realized unless the acquieSrenco of the peo-
pie is added to the stern assertion of doc
trine and the vigorous execution of the laws.
1t is q source of conSratuation that there
are so many friends OF civil service reform
marshaed on the practical side of the Ques-
ton, and that the number is not greater Of
those who profess friendiineSS for the cause,
and yet, mischievouslv and with supercious
discredit every effort not
in exact accord with their atteItuatel iieas.
decry with carpng criticism the labor or
those actually III the fiell Of reform, and. iS-
noring the conditions which bind and qualify |
every struggle for u radical imprO vemcnt III
the affairs OF government, demand complete |
and immediate perfection.
The reference in your letter to the altitude
OF the members Of my cablnetto to the merit
system established by tine civil scrri:c law,
beside being entirely correct, aNhlblts an ap- |
probation Of honest cnt!cavor in the direction
Of reform, and disposition 10 do justice 10
proved sincerity which is most gratifying II
such treatment Of those unon whom the duty
rests of administering tho government &C.
cording to reform methods was the universal
ti"e attending eu>h cn administration were
ralrly regarded by all those processing TO be
friendly to sucn methods, the Gvnwed enemies |
of the cause would be afforded less cncour-
agencnt.
believe in civil service reform, and its ar /
plication in the most practical form attain |
able, among other reasons, because it opens
the door for the rich and tho poor alike to n |
in public placehol ling. And |
ln
will see tho advantage of reliance for such |
an opportunity upon merit and fitness, instead |
Of dependence upon tho caprice Or selfish in |
telest of those who impudentiy stanl between |
The people and the machinery of their gov
In the one case, u reasonable in !
telllgence and the education which is frec'v |
or forced upon the youth of our |
land, are the credentials to office: in the |
other, the way is found in favor secured by n !
in partisan work, often unfit
ting person morally, if not mentally and |
physically, for the responsibilities and duties |
Of public employment.
You will agree with me, / think that the |
support which has been given to the present !
in its efforts to preserve
and advance this reform by party restored |
to power after an exclusion for many |
years from participation in the places |
attached to tho public service: confronted |
"'eti q liz" J'eNiii piSNAutiiS VIZ AS'tiH'i'
button of such places in its interest; called !
upon to surrender advantages which per-
verted partiSanshlp had taught the Ameri |
can people belonged to success and pcrturbel |
with tho suspicion. always raised in such an
emergency. that their rights in the conduct |
Of this reform had not been scrupulously re-
garded, should receive due Acknowledgements
and should confirm our belief that there is a
sentiment among the people better than de-
sire to hold office, and patriotic impulse upon
which may safely rest the integrity of our
and the strength and perpetuity
of our government.
have determined to request you to retain
your present position until the first day of
November next, at which time your resigna-
tion may become operative. l desire TO OK.
press my entire confidence in your attach
ment to tho cause Of civil service reform, anu
your ability to render it efficient aid, and |
indulge the hope and expectation that. not
withstandmg the acceptance of your resigna-
ton, your interest in the object for which
YOU have labored So assidiouslv will continue
beyond the official term which you surren-
der. Yours, very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND