The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-07-10
The 9ai1g Areas.
RoCx ISLAND. .....rLLTNors
THE sPoILs SYSTEM.

6pCS4aI tclCSEaIA W AUlCaSO 41me4.
a UNION SOLDIER sUpPLANTED BY AN Ex-
REBEL.
WASHINGTON, July 8.-Mr. Hayes
civil service order is not in very active
operation during this campaign. Beside
the forced assessment of clerks by the
Withholding portion of their pay in the
treasury department. q general inspection
Of the departments is being made for the
purpose of wedding out all who are not
professed loyal Republican, without any
regard to their clerical capacity. One of
the most fragrant cases of removals of this
class is the dismissal from the war depart
ment of Capt Hamlin, of Springfield. Ill.
Hamlin was one of the best clerks in the
war department, He served during the
war In company D. l26th Illinois. He
was clerk in the Office of the superinten :
dent of public instruction in Illinois in
1877 and 1878. He was
ENDORSED FOR AN APPOINTMENT
at the war department by Senators Logan
and David Davis, and Gen. w. Z. Sher-
man. During his service as clerk he has
directly avoided politics. The clerk that
sat next to him never suspected that be
was a Democrat. Complaint was made
Ito Noah, the appointment clerk. that
Hamliu had been Democrat. Some one
heard that he was going to Cincinnati
y dismissed. When he asked the reason
be was bluntly told that it was
BECAUSE HE WAS A DEMOCRAT.
Capt Hamlin has since addressed the
following letter to the secretary of war:
WASHINGTON, July s, 1880 Hon. ALEX RAMSEY,
Secretary OF War-Sir: Under the law approved
March 49, 1880, facilitate the settlement or pen
sions, by rhe Endorsement OF Senators David Davis
and John A. Logan and Gen. W, L. Sherman, I
secured appointment as one of the additional
force: Upon inquiry found that of all the add
Torrance of duty. OF those appinted, as I now
understand, only two are dismissed, of whom
am one Among those retained the public record
will show that the tail of the list in performing
public service has had great share in the dispen
sation OF government patronage, thus illustrating
practiced. j. j. Noah, who supervises your ap-
pointments, submitted these inquiries: 'Are you
TO Cincinnatil' and added: You have talked too
much" replied that had ssaid Twas going 10
place in bis gift for Which would surrender my
political opinions, and also told him both by let
ter and in person that had fought three years to
pensiouer of the government, and in addition to
that informed him that he had appointed III his
new organization person who carries the recon-
mendation of Shelby NJ. Cullom, governor of the
State of Illinois, being his cousin Mr.. McHenry,
who during the whole war served a confederate
soldier directing his bullets against the bosom
of myself and comrades and against the integrity
Of the Union of which you, Sir. and your party
Rotary and appointment clerk informed that
some vacancy m1ght occur III wn1e9 ne couio place
lftica1 pros cTtption and not civiI service reform
founded on merit would govern the bestowment
of place that deem 1t public duty to address
you this open letter, to know whether not you
sustain this manner of administering the service OF
dollar to corrupt the people of this country TO
vote against the party of which am member, and
bosom to the storm In behalf of the Union, and
whom the Democrats have presented as their can
dldate for the presidency: This may have been an
additional reason why failed TO respond success
sively TO the peculiar civil service that has
signalized the history of your secret.ry's admins
stating that "you know, Hamlin, this is political
year" am, honored sir, your most obedient ser
want. D. NJ. HAMLIN.
LETTER FROM LOGAN.
When Senator Logan heard of the re-
moval he addressed the following letter to
the appointment clerk who had ordered
Hamlin's dismissal:
july ,, 1Ss0.--Judga Noah-DEAR SIR: I am
truly sorry that you have discontinued Capt Ham
Davis, with my joining him in the Recommendation
hope you may ind 1t the proper thing 10 do to
planted by confederate soldier This is rather
tough you being a union soldier yourself. he
wac democrat but left them, aud claims that he
has done nothing to cause you to think otherwise.
Yours, truly, JOHN A. LOGAN.
JUDGE DAVIS
also wrote from Bloomington, as follows:
BLooEINeroN, H.. July 3. 1sso-My DEAR
HAMLIN: I am chsgrined and astonshed at your
discharge. have recommended no one in your
place indeed, have no recollection of haviG &
recommended any the department for
any place. do not believe Gen. Logan has re-
in Washington you had better see him, and have
no donbt he viii see you reCtifed. Ny reeommen
dalton ts on file. l don't see what more / can Go
4asals Exga= fhara in HrxR1r
yonrs. DAVID DAVIS.
Capt. Hamiin was supposed to be desti-
tute of resources outside of his government
place When asked by Noah If he was 3
Democrat, and If SO
HE MUST GO,
be replied that he would not sacrifice his
principles for any place. lie had attended
faithfully to his duties as clerk; moro than
that could not be asked, as he had taken
10 active part in politics. Afterward,
whsn Noah learned that Capt Hamlin had
numerous friends. moderate resources, and
intended to go back 10 Illinois at once to
engage In active politics, an offer was
made to take him back il he would agree
to remain Quiet 10 political sense. AS
Capt. Ramlin had so done before his re-
moval he felt that this going back with az
official gag placed formally upon his lips
would be sacrifice of his personal liberty
that he could not afford.
s=.Es----=
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Bill Heads, Law Briefs, aud all other
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| IN II 4 LIDS
| AND OTHERS SEEKING
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