The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1885-10-02
PRESIDENT cLEvELAND's REPLY.

To Hon. Doirnan 3. Eaton.
My DEAR SIR:-I am In receipt of your let
ter rendering your resignation as a mempeI
Of the Board OF Civil Service Commissioners.
l can not refrain from expressing my sim
egeS mat yS naTe n the enbo
vice where your Intelligent performance Q.
duty has been of incstimable value to the
country. The friends Of civil service reform,
and all those who desire good government
fully appreciate your devotion for the cause
seen with satisfaction that your zeal and,
faith have not led you to suppose that tne
reform in which you were engaged is nnsule- m st,,
gressive human affairs, or that 1t should az
once reach perfection and universal accept-
accept good results as they, step by step.
| could be gained, holding every advance with
| unyielding steadfastness.
The success which thus far has attended
| the work of civil service reform is largely
| due to the fact that its practical frie nds
and healthy progress can only be made as
| such of the people who cherish pernic1ous
political ideas, long fostered and encouraged
| by vicious partisanshtp, are persuaded that
/ changes contemplated by the reform offers
substantial improvements and benefit.
| A reasonable liberation for old prejudices,
"A graceful recognition of every aid, q sensi.
BILE utilization of every instrumentality that
promises assistance and a constant enors M
order of things are the means by which this
reform movement will in the future be
rigIble spoiismen rendered Intellectual, and
the cause placed upon q sure foundation.
of course there should be no surrender OF
Tor the enforcement of the reform should be
rigidly executed: but the benefits which its
unless the acquescence of the people is ad- :
ded to the stern assertion of a doctrine and
the vigorous execution OF the laws.
1t is a source of congratulation that there
are so many friends of civil service reform
marshaled on the practical side of the ques-
ton and that the number Is not greater OF
: those who profess friendliness for the cause
and yet miscbievously and with supercilious
self righteousness dscredit every effort not
in exact accord with their attenuated Ideas,
! decry with carping criticism the labor OF
, those actually in the field of reform, and,
! ignoring the conditions which bound and
, qualify every struggle for radical improve
ment In the affairs Of government, demand
! complete and immediate perfection. 40, ..,. =.
! of the members of my Cabinet to the merit
system established by the civil service law,
probation Of honest endeavor in the direo-
tion of reform and a disposition to do justice
to proved sincerity, which Is most crafty
ing. If such treatment of those upon whom
the duty rests of administering the govern
Z ment according to referm methods was the
! and perplexites attending such an admins
tration were fairly. regarded by all thos'
/, protesting to be friendly to such UGH meth th
!, would be afforded less encouragement
:, / believe in civil service reform
+ form attainabIe, among other reasons, be
cause it opens the door, for the rich and tn,
n poor alike, to participation in public of
g fice- holding. And hope the time.is at han
e when all our people will see the advantage
g ,of reliance upon such an opportunity; up
Q on merit and fitness, instead of a depend
l. ence on the caprice or selfish interest q
IT those who impudently stand between tn
u people and the machinery of their govern
lie In the one case reasonable intelligen c
II and the education which is freely furnish
le or forced upon the youth OF % our land a, A.
ye way is found In favor secured by particips
tion in partisan work often uniting a,pei
is son morally, II not mentally and PHYSICAL,
It, for the responsibilities and duties Of publ
H. You will agree with me. think. that Il
r support which has been given to the prese
es administration in its efforts to preserve ar
I'D advance this reform by 9. party restore
in from participation In the places attached
be the public services; confronted with q nc
RS system precluding the redistribution of su
ot render advantages which a perverted pf
iic nc tisanship lad taught the, American peoI
In belonged to success. and perturbed WI
OF gency, that their rights in the conduct
us this reform had not been scrhpulously
garoeo Ind shonla conrm mue our be,sf
ort there is q sentiment among the people b
ics ter than desire to hold office, and pat
by otic impulse upon which may safely rest
nat integrity of our institutions and the siren,
a and prosperity of our Government.
~ al have determined to request you to
IN vember next, at which time your reslgnat
de, may become operative. desire to expr
the my entire confidence In your attachments
the cause of civil service reform, and y,
the ability to render 1t efficient aid, and
an dulge the hope, and expectation that, n
,ai, ae nation your interest IN the object for VIII
the you have labored so assiduously, will c
to | render. Yours very truly,
an -, GROVER CLEvELAN