The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-15
CIVIL SERVICE IN 1S41.
President Harrison's Views as Expressed by
Daniel Webster.

ban1el WEBSTER.
Savannah GA News.
house few days ago. Deputy Collector Porter
came across an old yellow paper dated March 20,
I8il. CHANGING over it he found it to be a circu
lar issued by Secretary of State Daniel Webster
a few days after the Inauguration of President
William Henry Harrison. 1t contained the views
of the new President on civil service, and Is an
interesting document. There is a striking SINH
larity between the views of the then President
and President Cleveland on the use of govern
ment patronage orpa1ty purposes. Assessments
for campaign purposes were evidently levied
upon officials by former administrations.
copy of the circular. which was sent to Collector
James Hunter, of this port. reads:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE March 20, 1641
.'To the Hon Thomas Ewing Secretary of the Treas
'Sir: TIE President is of opinion that it
is great abuse to bring the patronage of the
the general government into conflict with the
freedom of elections, and that the abuse ought
to be corrected wherever it may have been
permitted to exist, and to be prevented for the
future. He, therefore, directs that informatioa
be given to all officers and agents in your de-
partment of the public service that partisan
interference in popular elections, whether of
State officers of officers of this government and
for whomsoever or against whomsoever it may
be exercised, or the payment of any contribution
or assessment, or salaries or official compensa-
ton, for party or election purposes. will
o0 iOSoAOcu W A1ui SduoO VI IcLuOfdi
1t is not intended that any officer
shall be restrained in the free and proper ex-
preston and maintenance Of his opinions
specting public men public measures, in
the exercise to the fullest degree of the constitu
tional rights Of suffrage. But persons employed
under the government and paid for their
services out of the public treasury, are not expect
ed to take active oficous part in 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 President is
resolved, so far as depends 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
ernment.
1.-THE President wishes it further to be an
nounced and distinctly understood that for all
collecting and disbursing officers promptitude in
rendering accounts and entire punctuality in
paying balances will be vigorously exacted. In
his opinion it is time to return in this respect to
the early pratice of the government, and to hold
any degree Of delinquency on the part of those
intrusted with the public money just cause of
immediate removal. He deems the severe OBJ
servance of this rule to be essential to the public
service. as every dollar lost to the treasury by
new charge upon the people.
Il have the honor to be, sir, your obedient
servant, DANIEL, WEBSTER"
lSimilar letters have been addressed to other
heads of departments. |"