American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-05-25
Another Touch of IS Civil Service
Reform"
WASHINGTON. D. c.. May Z.

WASHINGTON, D. C., May 7, 1872.
To TIE House ConsDittee Military affairs:
GerHep,eu On Friday last, soon after the
nomination of Horace Greeley was annouced
General Coburn notified me that he should
at once remove me from the Clerkship of
the Committee, assigning as the only reason
for his action, that person who was OPP
posed to the Administration of General
Grant, as he supposed me to be from my
connection with the New York Tribune,
could not, with propriety, longer hold any
official position at the hands of the Republi-
can party. He further informed me that he
should not have removed me if the Cincin-
natl Convention had adjourned without
making nomination, as he hoped would be
the case. l requested him to lay the matter
before the Committee at the next meeting,
but he refused positively to do so, saying in
effect that he should not consult the Com
mittee on the subject at all, because he had
the power to remove and appoint Il clerk
without their action. l informed him that 1
had consulted the Speaker, and several
Chairmen of important committees upon
this point, and that they all agreed that
Chairman had no more right to remove a
clerk without the authority of a majority
bill by his single vote Mr.. Coburn
denied the correctness of this view.
We had some further conversation
action, with the Presidents recent procla-
nation on the subject of Civil Service Re-
form, but upon this question, l regret to say,
our opinions were no more harmonious than
upon his right peremptorily to dismiss me
by his simple word of mouth. Finally, at
my request, General Coburn agreed to defer
the final settlement of the question until
yesterday.
On Yesterday afternoon l showed him a
letter from the Speaker Of the House, con-
CURED in by the Chairmen of the two lead
ing Committees of the House, a copy of
which is annexed, fully sustaining my posi-
ton. He still declined to lay the matter be-
fpr he III tpp I'm nj ed mot hat he
had consulted all the Republican members,
and that they sustained him in his action.
l have, therefore, no other course to pursue
but to accept and act upon his notice of dis
missal, and shall this day vacate my office.
In thus retiring from position which l
have held for nearly seven years, l feel it
my duty to earnestly protest against the
theory apparently involved in my removal,
that Government officer becomes unfit to
perform his duties when his convictions on
political questions differ from those of his
official superiors. 1 believe this theory to
be a vicious one, and to have occasioned
and corruption which exist in the public
service. l trust that it may speedily
be supplanted by the principle which
when capacity and integrity were the only
requirements made of men holding appointive
offices. During my long service in the Com
mittee, the greater part of the time under
the craftsmanship of three of the most dis
tinguished men who have been in Congress
in recent years, it has never before been in
timated to me that difference of political
opinion with the Chairman would be cause
for my removal. If it had been, should not
have continued in the position for a single
day, for to have done SO would have involved
Il sacrifice of manliness and self-respect.
leave the Committee with kind feelings
toward its members, and with gratitude for
the many marks of kindness and confidence
/ have received at their hands. l go to the
Reporters Gallery as representative of the
Tribune, with feeling of increased independ-
ence as a journalist, from no longer holding
office in these days when Official position is
often regarded as badge of political
Witty.
Very respectfully, the Committees obedi-
ent servant. L. V. SMALLEY.