The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1877-07-13
once Holders and Politics.

President Hayes made bold
stroke when he issued his letter of
instruction to office-holders, inform
ing them that the practice, which
has been too prevalent, of using
their positions for the benefit of
machine politics." must cease. Ma
ny of the leading papers endorse
this move as righteous one, nota-
BILE the New York Times. We can
not explain better just what the
President means by these instruc-
tions than to quote the following
press dispatch from WashiR gton:
Gentlemen who have talked with the
President touching his recent letter to
Federal Office holders say he is very
earnest upon this question, and ex-
presses a determination to rigidly en-
force Its instructions. When asked
how far an officer may go in taking
part in election affairs without becom-
ing liable to removal, the President re-
piled that 1t Is not intended To prevent
or discourage Federal officials from
taking part IN political affairs, but
their services to the party must not be
at the expense of the public service
nor will they be permitted to take ad-
vantage of any power and influence
which may attach to their official posi-
tons to influence political conventions
and control caucusses. They may de-
vote to politics all the time not reuuir-
ed by their public duties, and spend as
much OF their own money as they
choose, but they must do this without
infringing 1pon their public duties and
by conducting themselves generally
the same as though they were not con-
nected with the public service, The
Interference of Federal officers in the
preliminary work of the elections IA
what the President desires to correct.
and he believes the only efFectual way
TO do this is to prevent these persons
from putting themselves forward as
controlling spirits in conventions, and
as leading members of committees
charged with the conduct of political
campaigns. This is the new theory
with the President. He referred to the
case of Col. Wykoff, of Ohio, who, In
the last Presidential campaign, was
Chairman of the Ohio State COMMITTEES
and Adjutant General of the State. Al
though his own election as President
was In issue, Gov. Hayes notified Col.
Wykoff that he did not approve of his
acting AS Chairman of q partisan com
mittee and holding the Office of AdIu-
tant-General OF Ohio at the same time.
and that he would be required TO give
up one of the two places. In pursu-
ance of that notification from Govern
or Hayes Col. Wykoff did resign his
State commission, that he might be
free to conduct the campaign in Ohio.
The President says 1t Is notorious that
the Federal offices in some large cities
have been administered in the interests
of factions, and for the purpose of Sc
curing the preferment OF certain indi-
Viduals and for the defeat and punish
ment of others, the power and infiu.
ence of the offices being frequently
used for the preferment of the office
holders themselves. sit Is this condi-
ton of affairs" said the President.
shat desire to correct, and 1 am de-
termined to show my earnestness and
sincerity 70 produce reform In this d.
rection by making an example of the
first Federal officer who shall violate
the order issued on Saturday. Every
man must be left free to act for him
self in political matters, without dicta-
ton or Intimidation from men possess
ing special opportunities TOR Influence
ing political results by reason of hold
lug public Offices" Those who have
conversed with the President upon
this subject are convinced that he is
determined TO enforce the spirit of his
letter, and that he will direct the reno
violation.