The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-11-06
RESIGNED.

Hon. Leroy d. Thoman's Resignation ~
Civil Service Commissioner Accepted BY
the President An Interesting Letter
From MIR. Thoman-The Presidents Rc.
ply.
WASHINGTON, D. c., October H.
The following is the correspondence be-
tween Hon. Leroy D. Thoman. of the
Civil Service Commission, and President
Cleveland, respecting the formers resig-
nation, which the President has ac-
cepted, to take effect November lst
next:
WASHINGTON, d. c.. October 20. 1885.
sIR:-Eespectfuliy referring to converse
tion had with You as early as March 10Th, In
which depressed the wish 20 ne relieved VI
Civil service Commission, and also to the
apparent fact that it was not then your pleas
ure to cons der my request, now have the
honor to tender formally my RESIGNATION.
and earnestly to beg an early con-
eideration of the same and its accept
ance. While thus asking release from
to record my qualification over the proved
practicability and remedial effectiveness
of the reform procedure. Tried veterans
in political warfare view with amazement
the facile though radical departure from the
familiar methods of the spoils system of
distributing patronage strenuous ana sin
sion, raark the opposition of different
groups Of antagonists. And vet it must be
concluded that a majority of the political
leaders in either party is IN accord with the
Penileton law. If its original enactment, and
emphatic Endorsement by a subsequent
Congress 8. were honest legislative express
sions. and not the coercion of moral cow
ardice 10y popular sentiment, nor partisan
legerdernain.
In the great task of administrative re-
FORM which you have undertaken in accord
\, mol. md lph
people will give aid. Ii has been my pleas
nre within the last two months to visit quite
number of the States and Territories of
this Union. and IL was my good fortune to
meet with many of their citizens. II Is
gratifying to know that the people confide
in the rnequivocal intention OF the
/. system in the civil service
They had condemned the evils of the former
methods. Long experience had made their
knowledge accurate. They welcomed the
Inauguration of the new. The distinctive
features of the present reform appealed to
typicaliy American sentiment. which COM
else details eff the new procedure their ac-
quintance was not so intimate. To this they
are fast succeeding, and the result will be
cordial approval.
The inception and maintenance Of great
reforms are with the people. 1 believe that
the fundamental idea OF civil service reform
is characteristic of American thought Pop
ular hesitation over the acceptance of stat
utory details, suggests merely a safe con-
eervatism. In the initial stages of this re-
form there was a response throughout the
Nation. Political contests assumed a new
tone. Old time methods of corruption were
discouraged. and bossism was grappiad
with fresh vigor. The Improvement is yet
marked. II vicious elements still seek OBJ
trusion into elections, the chances of their
success have been iessened.
The reform spirit IL militant, and advances
toward complete success. Corruption by
official patronage has been removed. With
the imparting of a purer life to official cir
Giles. the power of the private purse to pur-
chase noiticaI honors will he less danger
Gus. Public appreciation of the fact that
this reform does not trench upon sturdy
partzanship came late 1t was sedulousIv
maintained that the civil service was
to be composed of men who should
ahjure certain rights of citizenship. With
the gradual, hut inevitable, refutation of
this false view. the outlines of the reform at
last stood forth in clearness. 1t is a reform
which views the civil service as vast bust
ness agency; its search is for the best at
tainabie merit. In business, which is not
political. il enforces no tests of party. With
confident trust in the success of your admin
lstrati0n. am
Your obedient servant,
I.EROV n. THoMAN.
10 the PrcsiIsn mt.