ALBANY, October 24, 1884.

HON. GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS:

DEAR SIR: While my letter of acceptance, in that part devoted to civil service reform, has verbal reference to subordinates in public affairs, I am of the opinion that there are other officials of a non-political character, to whose retention in place during the term for which they were appointed the same considerations should apply. I am, of course, a Democrat, attached to the principles of that party, and if elected I desire to remain true to that organization. But I do not think partisan zeal should lead to "arbitrary dismissal for party or political reasons" of officials of the class above referred to, who have attended strictly to their public duty, and have not engaged in party service, and who have not allowed themselves to be used as partisan instruments, or made themselves obnoxious to the people they should serve, by the use of their offices to secure party ends.

Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.