National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-12-16
nErocRATs IE M pEPARTMEHrs

The Democrats in the HousS are CIV
ina ms their idea of civil service, and
at the same time Strengthening their party
lines by turning out all the Republican en-
ployees and substituting people of their
own party in their places. The fact that
the duties of many q the House officers
require some skill and considerable expert
ence to discharge properly has no weight
with the Democracy, who reply that the
new men can learn their duties in the same
time and manner that their Republican
predecessors did, which answer is doubt
less correct. Now, while the Democracy
are recognizing party lines and rewarding
party fealty, the Republicans seem indis.
posed TO follow the example, and as a result
we have to-day in the executive Depart
ments in this city almost as many Demo
cratic as Republican employees, who are
not only secure in their positions, but COM
pete with Republicans for promotions and
advancement. The Democratic oligarchy
in the Departments is not only strong but
progressive, laughs to scorn any idea of
contributing either money or votes for the
success of Republican principles, and being
well acquainted each with the other and
banded together for their own safety, man
age to gain many point in the way Of
securing fat places in the bureau offices
and easy clerkships along the line. When
ever an attempt is made to remove one of
these fellows, mysterious influences come
from all sorts of hidden places to keep him
in. thus making the Democratic clerk more
secure in his position than his Republican
confreTe, whose conduct is watched by
jealous friends at home, anxious to secure
his position, ard by his member" who
generally meets any attempt to shirk either
laudation of himself or active political work
at home by demanding his removal.
The Republican party is on the eve Of
another national contest, one that will
STRAIN its nerves and sinews to the utmost
to win, and in which all good Republicans
will be called upon for active service. We
will 60 before the country with the argu-
ments that the Republican party is the only
one to safely conduct the affairs of this
Government yet at the same time give the
lie to our words by having in our ranks as
paid pensioners large remnant of the re-
beIlious and corrupt officials left as legacy
by Buchanan. There is deep, powerful
underlay in this question. When the pco-
pie give the reins of government into the
hands of the Republican party, that party
should seize them, and not as they are
doing now, leaving one rein and the seat
for Democrats to handle. Weare advocates
OF no crusade against faithful Government
officials, but we simply ask in the name Of
the rank and file of the party, of the men
who in times of political contest we appeal
to for help and assistance, that when victory
comes and there are honors to divide, how
ever humble, 30 long as the supply of
good and honest Republicans hold out,
we do not go into the ranks of the enemy
to get placemen. The cohesive force OF
the Democracy has been secured to them
by their well-known principles and prac-
tees of putting none but Democrats on
guard, and we ask in justice to the Repu5-
lican party that Republican officials heed
the lesson, and do likewise.