Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1885-08-29
CIyaL SERVICE REFOMM.

The Civil Service Reform which Pres
ident Cleveland is trying to enforce is by
no means q new doctrine in American
politics. 1t received candid attention
under the administration Of President
Fillmore. There was no Civil Service
law on the Federal statute books then as
now. What Mr.. Fillmore undertook
was in pursuance Of the power vested in
him under and by virtue Of the Constitu-
ton alone, while Mr.. Cleveland is girded
about by a law of Congress which he is
sworn to support and uphold. The latter
is enforcing the law as he finds it. He
could not well do less and hope to retain
the respect of l~aw.abiding men. The
fault is with the law, If fault there be,
and not with President Cleveland. He
comes into the administration Of the
Government under different conditions
different laws-regarding Federal officers
than have before hedged about the action
Of the Chief Magistrate of the Nation.
These laws wouldshardIy be observed in
a change of administration within a po-
litical party, but when a change is made
from one party to another the effect can
not be otherwise than marked. But the
law, if fairly administered by all subse-
auent administrations, as Mr.. Cleveland
is ~endeavoring to administer it, can work
no injustice in the end, and it may BE-
productive of great good to the country
by removing Federal officials beyond the
temptations Of active politics. 1t is Mr..
Cleveland's policy lit is the lawl to allow
Republican officers who are behaving
themselves to serve out their terms be-
fore appointing Democrats to their places.
Should the Republicans get possession OF
the Government in 1855, which is not
likely, these belated Democratic officials
would be entitled to hold for an equal
period under the Republican Admins
t~ration, SO in the end this whole office
holding business would break ever as
between the parties. The only doubt on
the subject arises from q fear that a Re-
publican administration might not .be
found to observe the law as strictly as
President Cleveland is doing. But then
there is such a thing as public opinion in
this country which no party can afford to
ignore. As pertinent to this general
subject, the annexed letter written by
Daniel Webster while Secretary of State
under President Fillmore, at whose in
stance it was promulgated, will be found
interesting:
DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE,
March 20, lS4l.
To the Hon. Thomas Ewing, Secretary
Of the Treasury-Sir: The President is OF
opinion that it Is a great abuse to bring
tue patronage OF the general government
into conflict with the freedom of elec-
tions, and that this abuse ought to be
corrected wherever it may have been per.
misted to exist and to be prevented for
the future. He, therefore, directs that
information be given to all officers and
agents in your Department. of the public
service that partisan interference in pop
ular elections, whether of State officers
or of officers Of the Government, and for
whomsoever or against whomsoever it
may be exercised, or the payment of any
contribution or assessment, or salaries or
official compensation, for party or cleo
ton purposes will be regarded by him as
cause for removal. 1t is not intended
that any officer shall be restrained in the
free and proper expression and mainte-
nance of his opinions respecting public
men or public measures, or in the exer.
else 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 expected to take an
active or ofhcious part in attempts to in
fiuence the minds or votes of others, such
conduct being deemed inconsistent with
the spirit Of the Constitution and the
duties of public agents acting under it,
and the President is resolved. so far as
depends On him. that while the exercise
of the elective franchise by the people
shall be free from undue influence of off.
cial station and authority, opinion shall
also be free among the officers and agents
Of the Government.
The President wishes it further to be
announced 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 mis- opinion
it is time to return in this respect to the
early practice 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 observance of this
rule to be essential to the public service,
as every dollar lost to the Treasury by
unfaithfulness in office creates Q necessity
for q new charge upon the people.
! have the honor to be, Sir. your obedi-
emit servant. DANIEL WEBSTER.
OHIO POLITICS..
Speaking of the late Democratic Con-