Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-27

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by telegraph 20 the pispstch.l
WASHINGTON, ID. c., October &c.
Civil-Sersice Commissioner Thoman has
rendered his resignation, and it has
been accepted by the President, to take
effect November LIST next. The follow
ing is the correspondence on the sub
ject:
U. ). CIvrL~SERvIcE COMMISSION,
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20. 1855.
Sir: Respectfully referring to the
conversation had with you as early as
March 10th, in which | expressed the
wish TO be relieved Of my duties as
member OF the United States Civil-Ser-
vice Commission, and also to the appa-
rent fact that it was not then your plea
sure to consider my request, | now have
the honor to tender formally my resigns-
ton. and earnestly to beg early consid-
GRAFTON of the same and It's acceptance.
While thus asking release from SO hon.
orable trust desire to record my gra-
tiiicatiCn over the proved probability
and the remedial effectiveness OF the
reform procedure. Tried veterans in
political warfare view with amazcment
the facile though radical departure from
the familiar methods Of the spoils sys-
TEN. distribution Of patronage, strenu-
Gus and sincere argument, and also de-
liberate perversioa, mark the opposi-
ton of different groups it antagcnizes;
and get it must be concluded that ma
jority OF political leaders in either
party is in accord with the Pendleton
law. II its original enactment and en-
phatic endorsement by subsequent
Congress were honest legislative ex-
pressions and not coercion, moral cow
ardice by popular sentiment, nor parti-
san legerdemain in the great task OF
administrative reform which you have
undertaken in accordance with personal
and party pledges, the people will give
aid. 1t has been my pleasure within
the last two months to visit quite
number Of States and Territories of this
Union. and it was my good fortune to
meet with many Of their citizens. 1t is
gratifying to know that the people con-
fide in the unequvocal intention of the
President TO sustain the merit system
in the civil service. They had con-
demned the evils Of former methods.
Long experience has made their know
ledge accurate they welcomed the in
auguration of the new. The distinctive
features Of present reform appealed to
the typicslly American sentiment which
commends and advances merit. With
the precise details Of the new procedure
their acquaintance was not so intimate.
To this they are fast succeeding, and the
result will be cordial approval. The
inception and maintenance Of great re-
forms are with the people. / believe
that the fundamental idea Of ciyil-seryice
reform is characteristic Of American
thought. The popular hesitation over
the acceptance Of statutory details sng-
gests merely safe conservatism in the
initial stages Of this reform. TAere
was n response throughout the nation
political contests assumed a new tone,
old. time methods Of corruption were
discouraged, and bossism was grappled
with fresh vigor; the improvement is
yet marked. If the vicious elements
still seek obtrusion into elections the
chances Of their success has been les
sened. The reform system is militant,
and advances towards complete sue
cess corruption by official patronage
has been removed, with the imparting
of purer life TO official circles. The
power Of the private purse to pur-
chase political honors will be less
dangerous. The public appreciation
Of the fact that this reform does not
touch upon sturdy partisanship came
late. 1t was sedulously maintained
that the civil service was to he COM
posed Of men who should abjure GER
tain rights Of citizenship. With the
gradual but inevitable refutatlon Of this
false view the outlines Of reform al last
stood forth in clearness. 1t is reform
which views the civil service as a vast
business agency. Its search is for the
best attainable merit in business which
is not political. 1t enforces no tests Of
party. With confident trust in the sue
cess Of your administration, ] am your
obedient servant.
LEROY D. THoMAN.
To the President.
EXECUTIVE MANSION. !
WASHINGTON, ID. c.,
October 81. 1885.
Hon. Leroy D. Woman
My Dear Sir have received your
letter rendering your resignation as a
member Of the Ciyil-Seryice Commits
sion, which is in furtherance Of the in
clination expressed by you very soon
after my Inauguration as President.
The resignation thus rendered is hereby
accepted, to take effect on the lst OF
November next. ] congratulate you
upon the fact that in the Office which |
you relinquish you have been able, by |
sincere and earnest work, and by steady |
devotion to the cause which you have
had in charge, to do so much in the in
terest Of good government and i'm
proved political methods.
Yours sincerely,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
An Old Cotton Case Decided.
A. 81.