The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-04-15
4 TROUBLESOME PRECEDENT.
The Administration Setting n Preoeden
ID Which May Return to Vex Them. N

otrangeiv enough IL does not seem to
occur to the Democratic mind that the
administration Is setting one precedent
with regard to the conduct Of public
Offices which may be a little trouble
some in the future. 1t is very well that
commissioned officers should be allowed
to hold their terms until these naturally
expire! Such an example will bind a
Republican as well as Democratic
President. and recognition of is force
Is at least SO much won for reform.
But 1t will be observed that even Mr..
Cleveland has no scruples about requir-
ing the resignation of a man who has
In any way used his official position for
political purposes. Such an act comes
under the definition of that "oifensive-
bipartisan" conduct which the President
announced would remove any office
holder beyond reach of his considera-
ton. Wherever, then, 1t is ascertained
that Federal employe took an active
part in the late campaign on the side OF
the Republican candidates he is to be
dismissed, 1t need not be alleged that
be employed the influence given by his
place for political purposes. 1t is
enough that he, while holding public
place, should have been heartily in
sympathy with his party and done such
personal work in its behalf as could be
done without positive neglect Of his
work. This is considered sufficient
cause for removal, and we have not yet
observed any criticism of the position so
taken, either by the most sensitive
mugwump or the most captious Repub-
lican commentator. It is to he sup
posed, therefore, that for Republican
employe to work for Republican can
didate even in the most decorous way
is contrary to the principles of civil
service reform and an offense not to be
condoned without the sacrifice of the
position thought to be abused. We 10
not call attention to the law laid down
for the purpose of finding any fault
with it, but simply that it may be put
on record as accepted by common con-
sent. For it is likely to prove an un-
commonly embarrassing one for the
Democratic party few years later on.
That party is the organization, one
article OF whose creed is that possession
of the federal offices and active employ
ment of them for political purposes is,
with rare exceptions, an essential to
success in National election. For
twenty-four years it has been declaring
that Republican supremacy was main
tanned only by the help Of these same
offices. Twenty.four years ago it had
them filled with men whose business it
was to do the bidding of their political
masters without delay. And it is now
proceeding to turn them over to the
faithful as RAPIDLY as the four years act
and the civil-service law will allow.
Now the party will run against an ugly
snag in a little more than three wears.
A majority if not nearly all of the Offices
will by that time have passed into Demo-
cratic possession; into the keeping of
Democrats who cherish very natural
impression that they are expected, in
return for the distinction accorded
them, TO do something for the success
of the body that honored them. And
yet that is precisely what the very power
that put them in their places has de-
clared to be an oifense against good
government; the very offense which was
stated as reason for the removal of
such of their predecessors rs did not
serve out their terms. The dilemma
will prove an uglier one by the arrival
of another presidential year than
anybody dreams it to be now.
If the logic Of the situation were
only that such Democratic ofliceholders
as took active part in politics would
thereby forfeit their claims to place in
the event Of Republican success, it
would not much disturb the official
cquanilnity For these party subal-
terms would very willingly take their
chances of the issue; they would far
rather lay themselves open to removal
in case Of failure than risk q similar
failure by any apathy Of their own.
But this is not the worst Of it. The
whole doctrine Of tho Administration is
that official participation in a political
campaign beyond the mere act OF
quietly and unobtrusively casting q
vote, Is an ofiense against good gov
ernment, violation of reform prin-
ciples, punishable by prompt removal.
The forced designations Of Republican
oilice-holders for this expressed reason
states the position boldly and openly.
II, therefore, Democratic officials shall
so partic. pate In the next campaign,
they will be chargeable before the peo-
plo with disregarding the criteria Of
reform. And a Daniel OF their own
will bc called to sit in judgment on
them. So that the most serious aspect
OF using the offices as political power
on the side OF Democracy will not be
tho chance of revolution after cleo
ton. but the certainty that the very
appearance Of Democratic officer
in active political work will stultify the
Administration, cast ridcule upon its
most solemn protestations. convict the
party OF willing hypocrisy for personal
ends and Of treason 10 reform, and de-
prive It OF votes, without which 1t could
not have succeeded last tine and can
never succeed again. We are OF the
opinion that when this Argument comes
TO the front, as 1t certainly will IN the
next campaign, Democrats will hearth
ly curse that which they now regard as
a prctoxt providentially provided TO
cover desired removals. The principle
that no officeholder should bc an ''of-
fensive partisan Is q good one. The
punishment meted out TO those who
CON ainiciIniialu diarnnnrdnd Il Ia inat