Omaha daily bee., 1885-06-26
WHAT BOYD HAS To SAY.
ThG Mayor Tells Of HE Impressions Of
Cleveland and His Policy,
The Dispensation of Federal Patron
age in Nebraska-Other Mat
ters Uf Interest.

Mayor James e. Boyd returned
WeddnesdsyEnight from the east, after
twelve days trip. About the first thing he
did after eating good square meal, was
to fall Into the fond embrace of a report
er for the BEE. He was pretty
thoroughly squeezed.
Some of his utterances are reproduced
below, az Of interest to local readers, as
also to democrats throughout the state
who are concerned in the question of the
dispensation of the federal patronage In
the state of Nebraska.
81 don't like to say much, aald Mr..
Boyd, in response to leading inquiry.
81 have been handled pretty thoroughly
by the eastern members of your brother
hood. l have occasionally unbosomed
myself to newspaper men who were not
introduced to me as such, and have had
the misfortune of seeing my unguarded
differences in print the next day. How
ever, will say that l have had very
pleasant and prolific trip east-was re-
ceived and treated by President Cleve-
land just as cordially as any man
could have been. Yes, think under
stand pretty thoroughly Mr.. Cleveland's
policy In reference to federal patronage.
1t will be different from any policy
adopted by any former president,
and will, l believe, establish q
new and powerful precedent. He In
tends to treat the present office holders
In accordance with the strict rules Of civil
service reform. No man will be sus-
pended from any federal Office "without
cause unless he be incompetent or un-
faithful to his trust. President Cleve-
land has said in my presence that he
thought.that when man gave up busl-
ness Interests to accept position under
the United States government, he
should be allowed to retain that position
unless, as l said before, he Is incompe-
tent or untrustworthy. This, think,
defines his position on that point"
"But don't yon think that the present
removals for cause-theHe suspensions
which are daily taking place-are unjust
as allo wing the discharged Office holders
no opportunity to answer the charges
which are made the basis Of their re-
moval2"
"That Is question dent care to ex-
press myself upon, fully. l believe that
an office holder should be given an op-
portunity to defend himself from any
serious charges which may be preferred
against him. However, will say that
have been mlsquoted on this very point.
A Chicago newspaper man reported me
as having said: 81 am opposed to this
method of the secretary preferrlng
charges against man and then having
him removed without giving him chance
to defend himself. An indictment should
not be a conviction. 1t is unfair and un'
manly" I did not express myself In
this way. What l did say was that l
did not think man should be suspended
on charges preferred by others to the
secretary, not by the secretary. The
secretary, you know prefers no charges"
''What about the dealing out of the
Nebraska federal offices?"
''The federal patronage of Nebraska |
will be dispensed in exactly the same
as that of other states. Eyery-
thing will be attended to when the
proper time comes. There are now about
one hundred postoffices In Nebraska
which have vacancies caused by resigna-
tion, suspensions or otherwise. These
will all be filled ss soon as possible by
the appointment of men whom Mr..
Cleveland thinks competent and honest
As regards the fourth class postoffices In
Ibis state, think Secretary Whitney's
1ttersnce to me on the point is pretty
sound doctrine. He said that In these
small towns the Office holders did not
give up other business interests in en-
:erlng upon the discharge of their
luties as postmastera, but rather used
he Office to build up their business.
Hence, they ought to be made to give
way to the hundred other men who are
ust as competent to fill the place.
''Dld the president express himself on
,he point of the factional troubles exist.
ng among Nebraska democrats, or did
le say that these would influence him in
ais policy of feeding the hungry hordes'
If this stste?"
''Not at all. President Cleveland said
lothipg about the matter at all In the
presence of DIR. Miller or myself. Meth
,r did say anything to him about the
ubject, and so far as know DIR. Miller
lid not"