The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-10-11
An Old Letter and a Lesson.

The fact that the following letter is
forty-one years old detracts nothing
from its value, but rather gives force
and effect to its suggestions. This is an
open, candid, manly statement Of prin-
cipIes about which much is now written
but little done. "Ciyil-service reform
is the sentimental shibboleth of the
administration, but its practical express
sion, as found in this old letter of Mr..
Webster, has neither advocate nor apol-
osist in all stalwart Radiealism
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
March 10th, 1871. J
To the Hon. Thos. Ewing Secretary Of the
Treasury:
SIR: The President is of the 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 prevented
for the future.
given to all officers aud agents in your de-
partment of the public service that partisan
| interference in the popular elections,
whether of State officers or of officers of the
| (Federal) Government, and for whOmsoeyer
and against whomsoever it may be exercised,
or the payment Of any contribution or Gssess-
nsent on salaries or official compensation for
party or election purposes, will be regarded
| by him as cause for removal.
| It is not intended that any officer shall be
restrained in the free and proper expression
and maintenance of his opinions respecting
public men or public measures, or in the
exercise Of the fullest degree of the consti-
tutioual right of suffrage. But persons
employed under the Government and paid
for their services out of the public treasury
are not expected to take an active or otficlouS
part in attempts to influence the minds or
votes of others, such conduct being deemed
inconsistent with the spirit of the Constitu
ton and the duties Of public agents acting
under it, and the President is resolved, sc
far as depends upon him, that, while the
exercise of the elective franchise by the PEG
pie shall be free from undue influences o.
official station and authority, opinion shall
4 also be free among the officers and agents o
the Government.
Similar letters have been addressed Il
heads of departments.
l have the honor 10 be, sir, your obedien
servant, DANIEL WEBSTER.
Such letter sent out Of the Depart
ment Of State under the great seal o
the nation, would send CONSERVATION
and despair into The Radical camp
HubbelIs committee would have 20 ad
journ and the thousands he has Huh
belled" from the officers Of the govern
ment would be speedily returned
President Arthur can talk loudly an
glibly about reforming the civil service
but to do some practical thing ike tn
above he has neither the courage no
t the conscience. The patronage Of tn
General Government is now b:ough
into constant contact with the freedom c
elections, and not only in the election c
members of Congress but of State off
: GERS as we'll Who is silly enough
suppose that Mahoneism in Virgin
could ever have been respec able foil
but for the patronage and money OF tn
Administration at Washington? Their
are Republican candidates for Congress
5 in Mississippi whose names would neve
have been mentioned in such c0nnet
. ton but FOR the hope of help from III
sources condemned by Mr.. Webster a
in conflict with The freedom Of elections
Instead now of The fact that "person
3 employed under The Government an
1 paid for their services out Of the publ
treasury are not eXpec, ed 10 lake an az
tive or officiors part in attempts 10 il
fuence the minds or votes of othe-G
such conduct being deemed incOnsisten
with the Split Of Corst;sut Oh and sh
r duty Of agents employed rnde: it,
they a:e employed 70: that purpose ant
their activity is the highest virtue ant
recommendation. Al appoihtee VIII
fails 10 exercise such i9fuence expose
himself 10 removal. It is announced
from Washington that Mr.. S. G. Bed
well, the efficient postmaster at Yazot
City, is to be displaced because he ha
not reorgan;zed aad led the patty il
Yazoo county, thereby in the opinion o
Webster, outraging the esprit OF thu
Constitution and the duties of public
agents acting under it. Such a course
|, instead of being cause for removal il
reason for promotion. A revenue agen
who neglects the dr,ies of his office Il
wa,ch and manipulate the machinery o
the party, for that alone is though
worthy 10 become candidate for Con
gress. Of there is any other argumen
in favor of his candidacy it has no
TRANSFERRED. } The Civil Service reform
sentiment Of The Republican party il
the merest mockery and hypocrisy
It's con- inued existence depends upon s
ruthless violation of every principle o
reform. Should The doctrine announced
in the old letter above become the prac
tice and not the empty profession of the
party in power, the election now upor
us would sound its doom and prepare
the place for its burial. Republicans
who are fond of claiming Mr.. Webster a;
one of the tuselar saints of their party
might read this letter to pcoft. The of
fetal virtue and party rapacity of these
latter years are enough TO disturb the
slumbers of his grave.
| WASHINGTON writer's say that they
arc NOT satisfied with the low Hnhhell