New-York tribune., 1872-05-08
HOW THE CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS
WORK AT THE CAPITOL.

TuE CLERK OF THE MILITARY COMMITTEE RE-
MOVED BECAUSE OF HIS SYMPATHY WITH THE
LIBERAL MOVEMENT.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrSKl
WASHINGTON, May John Coburn, Chair
Fnan Of the House Military Committee removed E. v
smaley from the clerkshp OF the Committee
he heard OF the nominations made at Cincinnati.
count Of Mr.. smalley's connection with THE
TRIBUNE. and his sympathy with the Liberal
movement Mr.. smaley requested that the ques-
ton Of his removal should be submitted 10 the
Committee their action. COburn refused 10 do
this he addressed the following letter the Committee
explaining the affair. This letter COburn pOcketed,
did present the Committee at the meeting to-
and probably does not intend 10 permit to come
them clerk who able to take the iron
clad oath OF allegiance 10 Gen. Grants Administration
to-day appointed
WASHINGTON D. C., May = 1872.
TO the HOHse Committee Military Affairs.
GENTLEMEN: On Friday last after the Domins-
tion Of Horace Greeley announced. Gen. COburn
notified 10 me that he should at remove me IRON
the clerkship the Committee, assigning the only
reason for his action that person opposed TO
the Administration Gen. Grant, he supposed
BE- from my connection with THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE
with propr1ety longer hold any official posi-
tlon at the hands Of the Republican party He
further informed me that he should not have
removed me- II Cincinnati Convention had adjourned
without making nomination, nc had hoped /" oulo
he tie case requested INN 70 sy me mater D-ore
the Committee at next meeting. bnf he refused posi-
lively to do saving in eject that he should not 9on
suit The Committee the subject at all because he hhd
lhe power 10 remove and appoint clerk without their
ectiOn- informed HIM that had consulted the Speaker
and several chairmen Of important committees upon
this point that they ali agreed that chairman bad
no more right to clerk without the authority
f majority Of the committee than he had pass bill
his single vote. NJ COburn denied the correctness
of this view. We had soDso further conversation
dents recent proclamation ON the subject Of civil SER
reform, bur this question. regret 10
opinions were more harlnOnious upon his ght
Perenptory 70 dismiss by his simple word OF mouth
fnally ny request Gen COburn agreed 70 defer the
sSnal settlement OF the question until YESTERDAY.
On yesterday afternoon showed him letter from the
rreaker House, cOncurred the CharTncn Of
leading Committees of the House. copy OF
(which annexed tuuy sustaining position He still
formed that he had consulted ali the Republican
Inenlers that tbeT sustained him IN his action.
have other course 10 pursue but TO accept
and npOn his notice Of Dismissal and shall this DAY
yaeafe my office.
Ia TINS retiring from position which have hed for
yearJ seven yeaIs fee IL my duty 10 earnestly
IDOgal, thai Government officer becomes unit o. per
form his duties when his convictions political
questlOas offer trom those OF his onhciai siIpe-
IIOrs. I believe. this theory 90 De vicious
one. aud ~ have OecasiOned much Of the IN
efficiency, deEOralzafiOn, and corruption which exist
~ the public service trust that II may speedily DO
carrier days or the Republic, whes capacity and Dte gritty
vxere the only requirements made ~ men holding ap-
psBtiye Ofces During my long servce In the Commit
Tee, the greater part OF the une under the chair
man ship three OF the aI0st dlstiD gshed men who
have In Congress In recent years. IL has never
ne baen intinated 20 me thar difference OF political
fnoyal II t had been should not have continued an
the positO for single day. for % have dO1e would
have Involved sacrifice or manintss and selfrespect
l leave the Committee with kind feelings toward its
fnetu.rs aud with gratitude for the many marks
14aaness and couhde1ce have their hands
20 70 the Reporters Gallery, as representative Of