National Republican., 1877-04-29
TIE DISTRLBUTION OF eEEICES.

As we have had occasion to remark here.
to!ore. we are opposed to the system of the
distribution of the clerkships in the gin o.
the Government on mere geographical
lines. We are especially opposed to It
when the system involves the discharge OF
experienced and efficient clerks, because
the quota of particular State happens to
be overlull. Because Ohio or Pcnnsylva.
mia, or any other State, has more clerks in
Office than they are supposed to be entitled
to, is no reason, If they are good clerks,
why they should be displaced to make
room for some one from some other State
that has not It's quota. Our idea of con-
ducting the service on just plan would
be to fill vacancies as they occur from
States that did not have their quotas, but
not TO make the vacancies for that pur.
pose. Take the case of Ohio, for Instance.
1t is said that there are twenty or thirty
more clerks in the Treasury Department
from that State than it is properly entitled
to under the law of Congress providing for
an equitable distribution among the States.
Now, how are the twenty or thirty that are
to be Topped of to be selectedI In the
dismissal some of the very best men
in the Department may be compelled
to CO. for, talk rs we will, political
influence and perhaps personal preference
of the higher officers will have something
to do with it. Then these places are TO be
filled by new men drawn hither from other
States. So long as the law does not make
their positions permanent these men had
better stay at home, even If they are getting
but small salaries. Six or seven hundred
dollars year in almost any Of the interior
towns of the United States Is much better
pay than twelve or fourteen hundred dol
lars in Washington. There is more money
in ii. We hold that it is no kindness to
bring young man to Washington to give
him q subordinate position, unless after
he has been found qualified he is assured
by law Of a permanent position so long as
he remains efficient and of good character.
Let the Gins" who are in, aud who are eff
cient, stay in. As vacancies occur by
death, resignation, or dismissal for cause,
put in clerks from the States that have not
their full quotas, and in few years an
equitable distribution will come abou. of
ITSELF
Many of the clerks here who have been
in Office for years have purchased homes
They own the houses , which they live
This very fact is An evidenc ce of thrin and
industry, and should Of itself 60 far as q
recommendation for retention in office. Is
it right to deprive such men as these OF
their offices simply because they came from
State that has more than It's quota? 1t is
in effect suggestion to the clerk not to
purchase home and get around him fam.
lily comforts; but instead to drag out his
existence in boarding house. The clerk
who will build up home for himself is a
much more desirable employee to be sough,
after by the Government than one who
does not
We have not that fear that some express
Of creating an aristocracy of Office. holders.
The business man who has an efficient
trustworthy clerk or other employee keep.
him as long as possible, for he knows thai
his interests are safe in that employee
hands. The Government will be tn,
gamer by acting on the same business prin
ciple. Weed out the drones and the ineffi
cient because they are dronos and inefn
cient, but don't dismiss the faithful ant
efficient because they come from any par
ucular State, or because they have moi
dabbled in State politics, or have lived IL
Washington long enough to have become
interested in municipal affairs here.