The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-06
REMOVALS FROM OFFICE.
The Views of Jefferson Tersely Presented
by Hon. Charles X. Buckalew, Ex-senator
of Pennsylvania.


by Hon. Charles X. Buck aIsw. Ex-senator
of Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia Record
Now that the Democracy has returned to
power after twenty-four years OF exile, 1t
nnds Itself confronted by the same question
OF patronage management which confronted
its founder at the commencement OF the GEN.
tury and during his lnoumbency of the
Presidential Office. The name of that great
man is often invoked to SANCTION or to con-
denim tDeolses or practices OF government
which, from their connection with party
passion or interest, constitute subjects Of con-
tinuiDg and ardent debate, and upon which
universal agreement OF opinion is not to be
expected. But his announced views upon
any public question, when duly considered,
will always be instructive. and will often af.
ford Us safe guidance, even under changed
political conditions, IN modern times.
He came to the Presidency at time when
nesrly all public Offices were filled by his
political enemies, by men who had been &C
tive in opposing his election, and many of
whom were not we'll disposed to Republican
principles OF government, or at least not
hopeful of their success. Was the new Chief
Magistrate the head OF triumphal party,
to act with yigor or with moderation in max
ing appointments TO office, or ia removing
his political enemies from Office, and by what
rules OF conduct was he to act in relation
thereto? The answer to these questions is
furnished by Government records and By his
published correspondence.
/. He announced with emphasis his con-
victiOn that il was both unreasonable aud
unjust that the majority party of the coun-
try should be excluded from public Off oes OF
appointment and be compelled to see those
offices filled almost exclusively by their DO.
nticsl opponents that this was 8 wrong
which II was his duty, az it was his inolins-
ton, TO redress, and that he would proceed
to REDRESS 1t IS opportunity should offer or
should be created by proper exercise of the
renewing power. 1t was bis original idea,
in pursuing this object, to depend entirely
upon deaths, designations and removals for
delinquency to furnish vacancies for the ex-
ercise OF the appointing power Works ",
l5l). But, upon further consideration and
experience in administration, he came TO
hold that removals might be made for other
reasons than official delinquency or miscon-
QUOT IN Office, and particularly for election
eering activity or open and industrious OPP
position to the principles of the Government,
legislative and executive" or, in other
words. for ''usirg the influence of Office to
destroy the confidence of the people in their
Government" Sixteen removals were made
by him upon this ground during the first
NO years Of bis administration. Works
". 466 4S5l
President Cleveland. In his civil service re-.
form letter of December % 1884 has given
a more extended statement OF this Jeffsrso-
man doctrine, where he speaks of person
in office who have forfeited all lost claim
to retention because they have used their
places for party purposes in disregard Of
their duty to the people, and because .
they have proved themselves offensive parti.