The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-04-30
THE NUMEROs SzX END nIE~ED
Petitioner.

spoken upon the subject of petitions, !
He removed a New York postmas- |
ter because he was short in his &C |
counts and otherwise faithless as a
public officer, and yet there were petit
tions before him asking the re-
tention of this man, because
of his fitness for the place
In reply to these petitioners
MIR. Cleveland wrote: 1.-THE fact that
have before me documents, signed
by many residents of the city where
this postmaster is located, and who
belong to both political parties, as
serting their entire confidence in his
honesty and fidelity, demonstrates the
unfortunate facility with which such
papers may be obtained, and gives
rise to an unpleasant suspicion touch
ing a too prevalent standard of politi-
cal honesty" This is not the first
evidence of the disfayor i'll which
especially numerously-signed petitions
are held. A contemporary says, on
this subject, that the 'unfortu-
nate facility with which even
Intelligent and honest citizens sign
applications for appointments, has
been rather rudelY halted by the Pres
ident; but he has thereby taught a
uost wholesome lesson to both appli-
cants and their regulation signers. 1t
may be accepted as notice that gener-
al recommendation for Office, howev-
er respectfully or numerously signed,
are practically yalueless in the hunt
for office at Washington, and it should
save applicants much labor and trou-
BILE and shield the free and easy sign
ing public from bringing itself
into increased contempt. The same
paper continues the subject by saying
sit is known to all Intelligent observ-
ers Of political events, that the least
worthy applicants for public places,
as rule, are most importunate and
tireless in begging recommendations
from citizens. They personally apply
for signatures to the fiorid commenda-
lions of themselves, and it is regarded
as an inciviIity to either refuse tc
sign or to criticise the statements
certified as correct. BY common
custom that has become the common
law of politics, people sign such ap-
plications as matter of course, an6
the applicant with the hardest cheek
and greatest activity will pull
up recommendations which should
command any public Office, if honest
while true merit, which is ever associ
ated with modesty will be dlstanceC
in the race" If the President, by hi:
scrutiny, Will put an end to the vicious
practices, by which persons are thus
endorsed, he will in this relation alone
do the country much good. We have
seen disgusting exemplifcation'
of this practice. If persons who wall
not only the streets, but even the al
legs, asking signatures to petitions
are to be rewarded with public place:
the Government is still doomed to be
disgraced, because of its employment
The action of Mr.. Cleveland will MOI
only halt unworthy importunates II
their intrusion upon the kindness Of
| friends, but it will make intelligent
citizens take pause to reflect about in
viting contempt upon their names a.
thoughtlessly given to greedy and i'm
pudent place-seekers. It.may as well b.
understood at once that regulation
petitions have dropped down to thei1
just value in the Cleveland market
and seekers and signers should re-
spect the wholesome admonltion.