The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-04-28
Jefferson and Civil Service Reform.

Jefferson and Cfvff Service Reform.
When Jefferson entered upon the du-
Ties OF the Presidency in 1901, he found
N The principal Offices and most OF the
subordinate ones, In the bands OF bis.
political erieG7ese President Cleveland
fonnd almost precisely the sssrre state
af things at tie beginning Of his admin
ftraiion less than two months ago.
The policy pursued by Jefferson to cor
rect the injustice OF the system practiced
~ his predecessor, is a matter of his-
fory; and the similarity betweenthe frs,
snd the pssssss Demosratio atministra~
zion gives special interest to that poll,
cy now.
That jefferson fully appreciated the
difficulties of tue situation, is qrite ap-
psrent from his writings In letter to
q f7ierr7, sisnrtlv after his inauguration,
Ne says that he had foreseen years ago.
that the first Democratic President who
should come into Office gfter oil the
places in the government bad become
exclusively occupied by Fedcralists
"wouid' have dreadful operation to per
form. o. him would devolve the Office
Of anex,cutive, that Of Looping off,
But be me, the difficulties with frnness,
although the moderation OF bis views in
regard to removals had earfy determined
Him to proceed with caution his orig
inali idea was to. depend on deaths. resig-
nations and dclinquercies TO obtain fos
his friends FIST participation IN the Of
foes, and on this idea be sketched for
lis guide the following general prsaci-
pies:
l All appointmentsto civil office, du-
ring pleasure, made ufter the event OF
the election, were considered as nulli-
ties He did not view the persons ap-
pointed as even candidates for the of1ce,
but replaced Others without noticing OF
roii'ying them.
2 Officers who had been guilty OF Of.
f!ciaS misconduct we're proper subjects
OF removal
8 Good men, to whom there was nc
ahjeciion except difference Of political
opinion. practised only SO far as the
right of private citizen would justify
were not proper subjects OF removal.
AZ Incumbents who had prostiIuted
tticir offices TO- the oppression of theil
fellow citizens were. 10 be removed as
ozamplespn deter cthersfro@ like abus.
es-
To these means of getting the"ras
calls OUT was added one other in tht
course al iiis administration, 10 wit, re-
lnovai for electioneering ACTIVITY. or oper
tad tadustrious opposition to the prin
apEesof Ale government as he eunder
stood theu.. sEvery officer OF The gov
@nment,n said he, may vote at elec
tioDs according TO his conscience; bu
we Should betsy tide cause committed
20 our care. wers we 10 permit the inhu
snce Of Official patronage to be used Il
overthrow that cause" And on anothe
occasion. he said, "Sut opinion, and tti
iust maiateaanee of it, shall never be {
crime iB ray view, nes bring injury OF
iBe individual"
On tte suhipct OF Interference in cleo
tions by Federal oasaers, Jefferson wa
most emphatic IN expressing his opin
ion. 9ne thing + will say." said be
"thst, as to- the fatNs fnterferences wit
elections, Whether OF the State or Sen
tral G,vern.est, BY officers OF the LAT
ref. should be deemed cause OF renewal
iircsuse The constitutional remedy b.
,iie elective principle beecraes norhini
IL Is may he smnthered by the enormou
patronage OF the General Government
The moderation he displayed nth
business OF making vacancies. produces
impatience in his own party,. and'the or,
was raised that he did mol intend TO d.