Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-10-03
A TIMELY WARNING.
Daniel Webster on Civil Service Reform
Ingenious Application of His Senti-
ments 20 Present Circumstances.
Nel0 York Herald.


IL was hundred years last January sine
Daniel Webster was born. 1t will be THIRTY
years In the coming October since he died
The President OF the United States has &C.
eepted sninvitation to assist in memorial ser
vices In honor OF the great statesman, which
are to take place at Marshfleld, In Msssschu
sets, on Thursday, October u. MsrsbfelC
is q placid village in the Old Plymouth
Colony, near the sea, which Mr.. Webster
loved. His homestead surrounded by grand
elms, remains In possession of the remnant
OF his family. He is buried In an ancient
graveyard near by, among the tombs oil
Pilgrim magistrates. Everything about the
place persuades to meditation.
When President Arthur stands by that
sacred grave the following letter, written BY
Daniel Webster soon after he entered upon
the office of Secretary of State in President
Harrison's Cabinet, will be appropriate for
his meditatiOns, In connection with Mr..
Arthur's knowledge Of the ways in which
the Republican nomination Of Mr.. FolgeI
for Governor OF New York was effected at
the recent Saratoga Convention, and also of
the ways in which the election Of Mr.. Fol-
ger to that place is in process Of promotion
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, March 20, 1S41.
To the Hon. Thomas Et0i'lg, Secretary Of The
Treasury:
SIR-T6e President is of opinion that
It is a great abuse to bring the patronage
Of the General Government into conflict
with the freedom Of elections, and that this
abuse ought to be corrected wherever It may
have been permitted to exist, and to be pre-
vented for the future.
He therefore directs that information
be given to all officers and agents IN
your department OF the public
service that partisan interference In the
popular elect Ons, whether OF State officers
or Of officers of The Federal Government,
and for Whomsoever and against whomso
ever 1t may be exercised, or the payment OF
any contribution or assessment on salaries
or official compensation for party or election
purposes, will be regarded by him as cause
for removal
1t is not intended that any officer shall
be restrained in the free and proper express
sion and maintenance Of his opinions re-
spectiDg public men or public measures, or
IN the exercise to the fullest degree of the
constitutional right of suffrage. But per
sons employed under the government and
paid for their services out of the public
treasury are not expected TO take an active
or otticious part 10 attempts TO influence
the minds or votes OF others, such conduct
being deemed inconsistent with the spirit
OF the Constitution and the duties of pub
lie agents acting under it; and the Presi-
dent is resolved, so far as depends upon
upon him, that, while the exercise of the
elective franchise by the people shall be
free from undue influence of official station
and authority, opinion shall also be free
among the officers and agents Of the gov
eminent.
Similar letters have been addressed to
other heads OF departments.
l have the honor to be, sir, your obedient
servant, DANIEL WEBSTER.