The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1883-06-14
asENsATIoN IN COLUMBIA"

clerk, and we felt, too, that he had
violated no Democratic principle in
the exercise of that right. True,
the Nabob Of the Neacs and Courier
hammered loudly upon the seventh
plank in the Democratic platform,
which preseribes that, in minor
offices, there shall be 'sa fixed ten
ure of Office, and no removals
except for cause" But that plank
leaves the Secretary, after all, the
only judge as to the existence of a
cause, and it nowhere requires him
to publish that cause to the world.
Feeling that it was unjust to i'm
pugn the motives and impertinent
to demand the cause that led the
Secretary Of State to discharge a
clerk in discharging his duty, we
merely said, IN. G. G. says the re-
moyal caused sensation in Colum-
bia, because Mr.. Robertson was an
efficient officer. Has that gentle
man any ownership in the Office be-
cause he has served there six years?
Or should he be perpetuated in
Office on the ground of efficiency?
We think not" We thought we
were stating sound democratic doc
trine; and if we were not, we have
read the teachings of the political
fathers. to little purpose.
But the Orangeburg Times and
Democrat, taking our words as a
text, discourseth thus:
'.Does the HERALD apply the
above reasoning to its own affairs !?
Would it discharge a good, faithful
printer because he had served efici
emily for six years to make room
for s:new hand?" We think not.
According to its reasoning the
people of Newberry County should
transfer their patronage from the
HERALD to its competitors, the Neacs
and the Observer, not because the
HERALD has not been an efficient"
guardian of the peoples rights, but
simply because it has enjoyed their
patronage for many years and that
it is fair play to let others have it
awhile. So far as the removal Of Mr..
Robertson is concerned, we know
nothing about it, but we wonld
regret.yery much to see the civil
service Of South Carolina prostitut-
ed by making the positions under
it the reward for advancing the in
terests of any political aspirant.
Better, far better, that an officer
.'be perpetuated in Office on the
ground Of efficiency" than that he
be removed to make room for some
personal fayorite of the party hav-
the appointing power
Argument is not needed to show
that what the Times says about a
faithful printer and the Newberry
newspapers, has not the remotest
likeness to the subject in hand, or
that there is not the faintest ana
logy between the position Of a
printer and a political Office. The
fact that the Democrat takes issue
with us does show, however, that it
believes that six years service gives
the clerk ownership in the Office"
and that Mr.. Robertson should have
been ''perpetuated in Office on the
ground of efficiency" There is no
escape from this position. Strange
doctrine for newspaper that sails
under Democratic colors.
Does the discriminating editor of
the Times regard efficiency as the
sole. or even the chief, official virtue?
Has it followed its doctrine to it's
legitimate conclusion n? Hasit seen
that that doctrine is at once unwise
and undemocratic 2, Let us see.
You perpetuate the clerk in office on
the ground of efficiency" Very
good, proceed. Efficiency is as
meritorious in one officer as in an
other; 50 you perpetuate tAe Secre-
tary of State in office, on the
ground of efficiency; and, going
still farther, you apply the same
rule to the other State officers. Pres
to Admirable You have rendered
political elections unnecessary, and
removed the offices beyond the
reach of the people-who. Of course,
have no interest in them! You
have made a privileged class and
given the government a monarchical
complexion. You now have the
ms and the Outs Of monarchy
the offfceholders and the people;
and the Ins may contemptuously
snap their fingers in the faces OF
Che people, and say, in the elo-
quent words of Vanderbilt, The
public be damned?" Admirable
doctrine! Just and wise De-
mocraey! Civil service bosh!