The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-12-07

Il matter. little to tho people At large what
competent person IL at tho head Of this depart
ment, or that bureau, II they feel assured that
the removal Of ono ind the accession Of an
other will not involve tho retirement Of honest
and faithful Subordinates whose duties are
purely administrative, and have no legitimate
connection with the triumph OF any political
principles or the success OF any political party
or faction 1t is to this latter class Of officers
that the senate bill to which we have already
referred exclusively applies, while neitEe. shat
bill nor any other prominent scheme for M
proving the civil service concerns the
higher grade Of officials who are
appointed by the president and confirmed by
the senate. feel bound to correct prevalent
which the present executive has displaced the
incumbent Of an Office and appointed another
10 his stead It has been repeatedly alleged
that he has, in this particular, siguslly de-
parted from the course which hiss been pur-
sued under recent administrations Of the gov
eminent The facts are as follows: The
Whole number Of executive appointments dur
ing the four years Immediately preceding Mr.
Garheld's accession 20 the presidency was
1905. or this number, PA. or 8 PEI, cent,
involved the removal Of previots ancumbents:
The rates Of removals to the whole ntmber Of
appointments was much the same during esch
OF those four years In the first year, with
700 appointments there were "a removals, or
90 per cent; in the second, with OH appoint
nueute; there were IS removals. or 8 per
cent; III the third, with 48O appointments,
there were 48 removals. Or 10 per cent; i'll
tho fourth, with 429 appointments, there were
~ removals, or SO per 6ent3 IN the four
months Of President Garfeld's administration
here were 800 appointments and W
ismovals. OK 22.7 per cent. precisely
the same number Of removals 80 has
taken place In the fourteen months which have
since elapsed, but they constitute only g per
cent Of the whole number Of appointment
11s within that period and lees than 2-6 Of
the entire list of officials, 3, 40, exclusive Of
the army and navy, which is filed by presi.
Dental appointment I declare my approval
of such LEGISLATION ~ may be found necessary
for supplantiDg the existing provisions OF law
In relation to
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS.
In July last authorized public aunoance-
t1lent thst employees Of the government
should regard themselves as st liberty 10
exercise theit pleasure in making or re-
fusine to make political contributions and that
their action in that regard would i'll no manner
effect thei rOficial status. IN ihie announce
nnent acted upon the view whi.il had always
maintained and still maintain, that public
officer should be absolutely as free as any other
citizen to give or withhold q contribution for
the aid OF the politics Of his choice. 1t has,
however, been urged and doubt!eec rot WITH
out foun. atom, that by the solicitation 81 eu-
perioys such contli l'iOls have at times
been obtained from ~: us whose n!y motive
for giving has besn fear Of what might befal
them If they refused It goes without saying
that suoh contributions are not voluntary. La
my Judgment their collection must be prohib
tied bv law A bill which will ef1ectually
SUPP ross them will receive my cordial ap-
provai.