Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-31
Agreeable Surnrses.

PRESENT Cleveland has the satisfac-
ton Of knowing THAI in proportion to the
time that d. has been in Office he has
given the country quite as many sur
prises as any Of his predecessors. He
has done nothing. however. that sho'ld
have occasioned any very great surprise.
He Las simply attempted to do his duty
and keep his promises. The f-ct that he
has undertaken 10 keep his promises Is
the reason, perhaps, that his acts are re-
garded as surprising.
Before he was inaugurated be said that
he believed in ctTn service reform, and
that be would enforce the civil service
law. There were very few, doubtless,
who thought that he meant exactly what
he said, and II vas not general! believed
that he would adhere 50 closely 70 the
spirit Of the law that about all Of those
holding places in the departments at
Washington would be allowed 70 retain
their places. tt seems, however, that he
did mean what ne said, and that for the
fir- time, since the civil service reform
agitation began, q sincere effort is 70 be
made 70 Improve the civil service.
The President also said that he intended
70 give the country an economical govern
ment. Is be not making Efforts in that
direction. Almost his first official act,
after taking possession o. the White
House, was 10 reduce the force employed
there. His example was Immediately fol-
lowed BY the members OF the Cabinet. In
several OF the departments commissioners
have been appointed 70 investigate the
methods Of transactIng business, and re-
port whether a reduction Of force can be
made withous injury 70 the service.
Doubtless when the reports are made i
viii De found that there are
hundreds, and, perhaps, thousands,
Of employees in the departments
whose services are not needed.
Under Republican administrations horses
and carriages were purchased with the
peoples money. and kept at pu lie ex-
pense, for the use Of the leading officials
Of the departments. The Treasury De-
partment. for instance. had half dozen
horses and as many carriages. and the
Interior Department was almost as well
supplied 1t was somewhat or q surprise.
Of course. when tie horses and carriages
were ordered 70 be sold and the money
turned into the Treasury.
The greatest surprises, however, which
the country has received have been in
the appointments. Neither in the Cab
met places. the foreign missions nor in
other important Offices does the President
appear u have recognized states or sec
tons. He has simply appointed those
who have appeared to him 10 be qualified
for the places for which they were Sc
Iected. Petitions, recommendation and
requests do not seem to have counted for
a great deal. In many, if not most, il
stances those who had the least support
were successful in getting what they de-
sired.
Il must be admitted that the appoint
meDts thus far are very good ones. They
show that the Presidents aim is 10 get
good. reliable and capable men in the
service Of the country. OF course there
is a good deal Of grumbling. but the grum-
blers are not those who are not seeking
ofice. They are the unsuccessful Office
seekers. Signs Of dissatisfaction among
tie people are wanting. They appear 70
Ike the surprises which the President Is
giving them.