Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-24
FEW CIVIL SERVICE CHANGES,


to the Politicians.
The politicians have suspected for some time
that Mr.. Cleveland was contemplating line of
policy in respect to the Offices which will be- if
he carries it out, unusual. says Holland" the
New York correspondent Of the Philadelphia
Press. On no other ground can they explain
his peculiar mannerism and his seeming indif-
ference when the question o: patronage is dis
cussed before him. This impression is con-
firmed by news which l have learned today,
and which comes from an authority who is usu-
ally correct. He saws that the President-elect
has made up his mind to make only such
changes in the offices as are necessary in order
to secure in the higher administrative Offices
those who will be in sympathy with his views
and administration.
Mr.. Cleveland is now disposed to carry out
the spirit of civil service reform 30 far that
there viii be no general removals in the minor
Offices, except for cause, and none of the Office
holders will be removed until their terms ex-
pire. But it is his purpose to go even further
than this. He is now somewhat disposed to
lay down az a rule for his action that in nearly
all cases where the incumbent of an Office has
shown capacity and integrity, and has admin
istered the Office on bUsiness-iike principles
not permitting its use as a political agency, the
incumbent will be reappointed, whatever his
politics may be. nr. Cleveland thinks that in
all cases where presidential appointments are
| to be acted upon that the first question which
he will ask will be: HAS the incumbent
term expired" IL it has not, then he will say
that he can pay no attention to that case until
the time comes when it is necessary for him to
take action.
If the incumbent's term has expired or is
about to expire, Mr.. Cleveland will then ask:
How has this man administered his Office?
What is his record? Has he conducted it in
huel Are no to- do
partments concerning him good? Has he made
il a political agent?' IL all these questions be
answered satisfactorily to Mr. Cleveland, then he
will be likely to reappoint such incumbent if he
continues OF his present disposition after he
enters the White House.
OF course, some Of the important Offices
through which the administration is to be
directly manifested and its wishes to be carried
out must be filled by men who are in sympathy
with the President. Mr.. Cleveland does not be-
lieve that civil service reform goes SO far, for
instance, as to demand the retention of corpe-
tent assistants in the various departments,
like the assistant secretary Of the treasury nor
does he think that the reform idea should in
ciude those who are at the head of the greater
custom houses in the United States, although it
Is his opinion that it should protect the majority
OF the subordinates in these Offices.
The friend OF Mr. Cleveland from whom re-
ceived this information is of opinion that it
Will be the severest test Of Cleveland's courage
and devotion to high ideals which he has ever
been called upon to meet, and no may not be
able to withstand the mighty opposition which
such policy will entail. But he says that Mr.
Cleveland realizes that he was nominated in
spite OF the politicians and was elected without
any material aid from them. and therefore, be-
iieves that he Is under no obligations to them,
and Is bound only to do those things which will
be acceptable to the great masses OF the people.
| He is firmly convinced that such a policy m
this II he carries it out, will not only bring to
MN the cordial support of the plain people of
whom he Is fond OF talking, but that il may
lead possibly to the reorganization Of parties
on lines which he has, his friends rometimes
think. already mapped out.
IF Mr.. Cleveland does this think before the
end OF his administration that the comparisons
which have been recently made between him
and Lincoln will be justified said this gentle
man. 1T Is no longer any secret that Mr..
Cleveland has determined to make Lincoln
administration, his treatment of politicians and
his study Of the plain people and their disposi
ton his model in his next administration