The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-28
CiSIL SERVICE REFORM.
Opinions Expressed by Representative
Men in Augusta Chronicle 0:
April 18th.
LETTER FROM HON. JOHN &. PEATiI"R,
OF MISSOURI.

LETTER FROM HON. JOHN &. PEATiI"R
OF MISSOURI.
! Uon. PntricL Wnlsh.
DEAR SIR I'm response TO your:
of the 9th inst. l have the honor 0
answering your interrogations IS fol
lows:
l. What do you think Of the Civi
service policy of President Cleve
land?
|. I do not hold President C}cye
land responsible for the Civil Service
| law. it was introduced by Demo
crat; passed by Democratic votes
embraced in the Democratic Plat
form Of 1SS4-"Wc favor honest
Civil Service Reform.
?. Was not tile election Of Presi.
dent Cleveland & rcbuke to the Ad,
ministration Of the Government by
Republican methods and otlice.hold,
ers?
9. Unquestionably the election OF
Cleveland vas q rebuke to q party
that had abused its power; which had
lost the confidence Of this country.
3. Did not the election mean that
the Republican oflice-holders were to
be turned out and competent Demo.
Gratis entrusted with the Offices in
every department ofthe Government?
3. Although believing personally
that Democrats should reap the benc-
fits Of their victory, there would be
an Inconsistency IN turning ont pro-
miscuously without cause. The Civil
Service law and Tenure Of Office act
seems to preclude that.
4. Has the Administration Of Pres
ident Cleveland me! tie iuii expccta-
tions Of Democrats in your State?
+. The Administration Of Presi-
dent Cleveland Gin my judgment1 has
met with the approval of a large ma
iOrity of the Democratic party of
Missouri. "Where there are appoint
mcrts there will always be disap-
pointment.'
5. Is President Cleveiand's policy
calculated to strengthen the party
and insure success in The coming
elections?
). l Lave confidence that the wis
dom of Mr.. Cleveland's course will
be approved in the future. and that
it will be beneficial to the Democratic
party. There is no doubt that there
is a teverisl, unsatisfied feeling
among many Democrats. brought on
us I believe-by misunderstood
ing of the Presidents intentions to-
wards the party. which time and a
better understanding will remove.
Yours, very respectfully.
JOIN G. PR.>THER.
Democratic Nat. Com. Cor Mo.
LETTER FROM HON. D. P. DUNCAN.
UNION, S. c.. April y. 1885.
Hon. Patrick UnlSh. 1"yusto. Gn.
Ny DEAR SIR Your circular let
ter was duly received. Whilst not
caring to offer any meaningless cX'
cuse. yet l will take occasion to say
that / ain not in the habit Of writing
for the public press, and this is why
I have not replied 10 similar commu-
nications have received from your
Office.
But as continued silence would in
dicate indifference or show want Of
interest in questions Of great public
moment. l have forwarded you the
enclosure Oh your questions on the
Civil Service law, which you may use
as you deem proper. My under
standing on the question is that
civil service is q general name for
all the duties rendered to and paid
for by the State or general Govern
ment other than those relating to
naval and military matters" All
positions Of honor, trust or of cnol-
ument under our form Of government
are held either by election or appoint
ment.
History teaches US that the saliva
ton Of republics are their different
parties. Without strong competition
one party will soon become corrupt.
Witness the Republican party. that
BY its long continued successes in
office, by its great financial and nu-
merical strength, had grown to be-
lieve that might was right and that
none could hold it responsible, no
matter what its excuses might be, or
who they might put in otfice-hcnce
the nomination Of Mr.. Blaine in 1884.
1t was at this juncture that the
Democratic party, aided in some
measure by the conservative Ecpuh-
lican element. defeated tie Rcpubii-
can party at the election Of 1854, and
made Mr.. Cleveland President.
Now, if q party has Il principle or
q Dolicy not the same or in keeping