Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-09
LETTER From WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.
InIv 1877

To tie Editor Of the Kennebee journal.
The dullness at the National Capital is only re-
heved as | said in previous letter, by Quixotc
dispatches from irresponsible quill-drivers. Not
until the extreme heat of summer is over and the
time for the assembling of Congress arrives, will
there be any matters of financial, political or 9TH
er interest to report, unless indeed, our Mexican
border troubles should eliminate in something Sc
riOus.
President Hayes order relative to officers Of the
government and their political msnGuverings, is
generally looked upon as a novel but scarcely
practical measure. In this country where politics.
even more than ones religion, seems TO be vital
part of education, character and inspiration, it
would seem chimerical to attempt to stamp this
out by any order however rgdy enforced. The
spirit Of the free American citizen would resent
this inroad upon his liberties. l am not now
speaking of the small, pettifogging methods of
politics, such as packing caucuses. or drumming
up ward politicians for ignoble purposes. If such
meddlings as these are to be corrected by the Or
der, there is no true American citizen who
would not gladly wish its enforcement. But if it
mears that any manly expression of opinion, or
honest working for or prominent leadership in q
cherished principle Or party is to debar man
from holding positions Under the government,
then it will soon be apparent that such an order
will become dead letter, and cause of regret to
the onginators. There are at least $4,000 Office
holders IN this country, the larger part of whom
are called upon to fill these Offices by reason If
their intellectual superiority, their prominence in
the communities where they reside and their efforts
to achieve victory for the principles which they
believe to be best for the county. While the se
do not constitute 1.-THE Of the Intellectual, moral
or political strength Of the nation yet they are
generally looked up to as leaders, and, by reason
OF their positions and influence are, naturally, ex
peced to inaugurate and carry forward the efforts
necessary to bring to the principles par
ty they represent. Not as previously remarked
that they need stoop to cunning or political trick
cry Only that they honestly further the interests
they have at heart. That this cannot be prevent
ed is as true that water cannot be stopped from
finding its level Besides, if these eighty thous-
and federal oficeholders are to be debarred these
privileges, why not debar all State, county and
city officers, especially the States for these are
placed upon the same footing, strictly speaking as
the federal officers.
How many officials in the great States of
New York, Pennsylvania, or Ohio are there who
have not gained their positions by hard labor for
the party Of their preference ? Ia the very nature
of things in this country. it cannot be otherwise.
The order. possibly might apply to those employed
in the departments and workshops Of the govern
ment; for, generally, these positions are insgnif-
cant and not gained through prominence in politi-
cal matters. If these oficeholders, eighty thous-
and of them--who have heretofore been the recog-
nized leaders of the republican party, mist here
after hold their tongues, simply because their eff
forts appreciated by position under the Ad-
mnistraton, then what hope is there, in future,
that there will be other and equally good leaders,
since no man who makes himself prominent
in politics will be likely to receive reward for his
services; or if he receives reward, the party
must forever lose his valuable services leader.
e. j. b.