The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-04
CLEVELAND AS A REFORMER.
DR.. John M. Gregory Talks About the
Letter to George William Curtis.
He Regards the Document as an Honest Ex.
preston of Settled ConvictiOns-Cle
lands Ante Election Views.
DIR. JOHN M. GREGORY.
He Is Entirely Satisfied with the Utterance OF
the Presid dent-Elect.

He Is Entirely Satisfied with the Utterance Of
the President Elect.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-The recent criticisms
by some Republican members of Congress upon
Governor Cleveland's civil-service letter were
made the topic of an Associated Press interview
with Prof. ]. NJ Gregory, of the Civil-service
Commission, to-day. In response to the first
inquiry he said
"Yes, 1 have read carefully Governor Cleve
lands letter to George VIM. Curtis, and it seems
to me an honest expression of sincere and set
tied conviction, with no hidden meaning and no
contemplated afterthought. The paragraphs re-
lating to those who have used their places for
party purposes, which to some of his critics ap-
pear to be designed as oophole for wide partisan
prescription, altogether too large and plain for
such construction. They are so open, frank and
fearless as to forbid all thought Of them hiding
anything sinister or malignant. 1t is true that
by strained Interpretation of these paragraphs
majority of Republicans in Office might be
brought under condemnation and ousted from
their places, and this would probably be true
also, of the thousands of Democrats who have
doubtless gained Office already under the civil
service rules and who, probably supported by
word and vote the candidates of their party.
To charge the Presidentelect with intending
such prescription is to accuse him of using the
most heartess irony in letter addressed to
some of his most influential supporters, the fore
most friends of civil-service reform and of his
prospective administration.
Has not this letter done much to quiet the ap-
he nsions of clerks in government employs"
Most certainly but it is most weromed by
the earnest and patriotic friends oAthis great
cause of reform who look with dread >Gaon any
return to the spoils system. 1t is natural that
persons in Office should see in it only promise
of protection and that office-seekers on the 9TH
er hand, should regard it as hostile to their hopes
but its significance rises far above these personal
considerations of the ins and outs. 1t is evident
that the hateful and dangerous spoils system of
office getting and Office holding can be rubbed
out only by the persistent efforts of successive
administrations, and perhaps of successive par
ties 1t was given to a Republican administra-
ton to begin the work, and President Arthur
and his Cabinet deserve well of their country
that they have so nobly met the demands of
duty. Without hesitation they have opened the
great departments and large Offices Of the coun-
try to the most meritorious, without question as
to party character President Arthurs hearty
support of this reform will make his administra-
ton famous in history as it has made It
popular among the best of his living country
men, but it needs equally hearty and magnani-
nous efforts and sacrifices on the part of the
Democratic party in it's turn, to fully extilpate
The accursed upas tree of the patronage system.
These efforts Governor Cleveland's letter fairly
promises, and in this light accept it in the full
breadth of its frank assertions If it is carried
out in its letter and spirit, it will place the name
of it's author high in the list of the best Presi-
dents of the Republic"