Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-04
ROTATION IN OFFICE,

The usual contention about tho distribu-
ton of Offices has been resumed at Washing
ton. At the extra session the Republicans
in the Senate asked the privilege of retain
ing soaae of the employees of that body who
had served honorably in the war and we're
incapacitated by reason of wounds from
other work. This request was granted, but
it has been ascertained that with but three
exceptions none of the Republicans re-
tanned had ever served day in the army.
This discovery has led some of the Demo-
Gratis to Insist that the programme inaugu-
rated by the Republicans of giving Office to
none but men of undoubted party fealty be
carried out by the Democrats, and that all
Republicans be made to walk the plank.
The Republicans, however, talk good deal
about the rights of minorities, just as if,
when they were in power, they recognized
those rights.
Mr.. Hayes, in his annual message, de-
voted several columns to q sermon on the
subject of civil service reform, and advo-
Gated search for the fttest men to OCCUPY
official positions, and, when they are found,
their perpetual retention in Office. His the
DRY is very beautiful one, no doubt. Yet
it is somewhat surprising that it was not
discovered during the nineteen years in
which the Republican party has held the
reins of power. It is only when it is abso-
lutely certain that the party must step down
and out that the beauties of the new system
are discovered, fact that leads to the pre-
sumption that it was invented only in the
hope that it would avail to keep some Re
publioans in Office after the tenure of Office
of the party has expired. Had the party
practiced such theory in the days when it
had absolute sway, its present protestations
would not be open to SO much ridlcule. As
it is, the Republicans must expect to be
dealt by as they have dealt with others.
This question of the distribution of Offices
is not of vital importance to the welfare of
the country. We presume that men can be
found in both parties who are fitted to per-
form the duties of any Office in the gift OF
tho people or of the heads Of the several de-
partments. It has happened thus far in ou1
history that each party has retained power
for long enough period to keep its chosen
employees as long as men should be permit
ted to live at the public expense, and there
has been no necessity for changes of such
frequency as to in any way impair the pub
lilo service. Occasional changes are bene-
fois!. They promote increased activity,
greater diligence and more faithfulness. It
does any department of the government a
great deal of good to have new broom &C.
caslonally, that will sweep out the rubbish
and cobwebs that have acc urnulated THROUGH
long years of incidence and half hearted
work.
1t may not be good policy to change of
foials because of their political views. It is
certainly bad policy to dismiss good Re-
publican to make room for bad Democrat
or vice Uersa, but all things being equal we
see no improperly in the Democrats claim
ing the fruits of success. If they were un-
able to do SO, the chief incentive to exertion
would be removed. As long as the priv
lege is not abused there is no valid objection
to its exercise. and though the Republicans
may squirm at being obliged to surrender
their fat Offices, they have no other alterna-
tive.