Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-07-11
For the ChrOniel,
ROTATION IN OFFICE.
A voice from old Geauga.

Mr.. EDITOR 1t is most decidedly re
freshing to those of us in Trumbull coun
ty, who have stood by Congress for the
past SIX months, in cheering our Repre-
sentative in the good work he has beer
doing in the interests of loyalty and hu.
manity, to hear such patriotic words
looming up from old Geauga. The Dem
ocrat of that county, a sound, clear head
ed Journal, thus discusses in regard tc
the coming Congressional election. Ely
cry word is true, and the impression
is becoming irrevoeably fixed, in the
minds of all Union loving men in the
District, that the stay-at-hOmes in a0ar time:
should be the stay-at-homes in times ol
peace; that those brave soldiers who
fought the rebellion in its bloodiest,
darkest days, other things being equal,
shall be retained in the service they are
80 ably and worthily honoring.
GEN. GARFIELD is a worthy Represent
ative of the soldier force of our District
force not inferior in bravery and distin-
guished service, during the war, to any
District in Ohio. The Soldiers are not
only satisfied but delighted with the en-
couraging prospect before US. Civilians
content, always excepting those restless
outs, who are quite anxious and clamor-
GUS to get IN. Poor hungry souls, they
not only firmly believe the offices of the
country were made for them, but also
believe they were made for the Offices
Mistaken souls. How beautifully will
the people set you right on this point.
But to the article. We ask all to read
it. NJ.
As important elections draw near, and
the anxiety of ambitious politicians to
foist themselves into offices of honor and
profit increases, we always expect to
hear more or less of the doctrine of rota-
ton in office. Some call it the great
principle of rotation, but we will not thus
dignity so shallow a device of selfish
demagogues. A principle should be of
general, uniform and permanent spplica-
ton; whereas it is notorious that the ad-
yocates of rotation are such only while
out of office, and become suddenly per-
suaded of the falacy of their doctrine
when once in office. 1t works well
enough when applied to others, but sig
nally fails when applied to themselves
All the argument by which this doctrine
is generally sustained may be summed
up in a few words: Mr.. Somebody has
held a certain Office long enough, Mr..
Somebody else wants it, and should have
a fair and equal chance. This is perfect
ly convincing to those who believe that
the offices ri ghtfully belong to the Office
seekers, and should be apportioned as
equally as possible among them
But to those who take higher view OF
the question it is absurd and ridiculous.
Now, what is the true doctrine in re-
gard to offiee-holding? Not rotation nor
the opposite as a rule, but simply this
that all offices are instituted for the pub
lie good, and, hence, that whatever the
public good requires should be the stand
ard by which to judge who is, and who is
not entitled to the Office. If an official
prove incapable or dishonest, he cannot
be rotated too soon; but, if one is capable,
honest, and in every way worthy, in any
position wherein experience gives apti-
tude and power, it is manifestly the die
tate of wisdom to retain him in that po-
sition as long as his services can be made
available. The private good which may
accrue to the ofGce-holder is but inciden-
tai, and no reason why he should be
either retained or dismissed from office.
The facility with which men attain to
office in this country induces a perpetual
strife among ofhce-seekers; and 1t is high
time that a better view should prevail
upon the subject. Give the doctrine oi
rotation its widest scope and it will still
fail to satisfy the aspirations of half its
advocates. There are, for instance, per.
haps dozen men in the 18th District who
would represent it with credit in Con-
gress; but there is not one whose claims,
at this time. should be recognized in op-
position to our present able and faithful
Representative. although he has been
twice elected. That he has been thus
favored is his good fortune. but should
not be made an argument in favor of his
displacement by another, however wor-
thy; while the fact that his services are
more valuable to the country now than
ever before, is the best of all reasons why
he should be re elected. And, therefore,
without regard to personal claims, we, in
common with vast majority of the peO-
pie of the District, are for Garfield,
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