St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-23
BUSINESS rs BUSINESS.

Inc new YORK poStOf1ce is perhaps the
ugliest snag that the administration has yet
struck. Exactly what to do with it-whether
to reappoint Mr.. PEARSON or whether to fill
his place by appointing some one else-is
something of a perplexity to the president
On one side are the Independent Republicans
of New York, who clamor for his retention
upon the ground that it is the first and best
test of the presidents sincerity in protesting
friendship for civil service reform. On the
other side are the Democratic legions of New
York city, demanding that as matter of
right they should have at the head of the
postotfice in that city man thoroughly in
accord with the principles of the New York
Democracy. If Mr.. CLEVELAND ignores the
Independent Republican element he will
raise clamor from them that viii deafen his
ears. If on the other hand lhe retains PEAR
son it will be alleged as carrying out part of
the contract by which Mayor GRACE made
deal for Republican votes in the last mu-
nicipal election. Mr.. PEARSON is Repub
lican, but of such mild type that it is hardly
recognizable. He certainly did not use the
patronage of his office to aid the BLAINE can
III.
he failed to do so because of his elevated no.
tons respecting the civil service, or whether
it Was done as part of the ARTHUR plan to
cut Mr.. BLAINE's throat is an open question
among Republicans. That is their matter,
however, and does not come within the limit
of the Democratic outlook. The County
Democracy claim the postoffice in New York,
and by every principle of justice they are
entitled to it, and we shall be disappointed if
the president does not recognize their claim.
We fail to see why Postmaster Parsons
retention can be based upon any theory of
reform in the civil service. The fact is Mr..
PEARSON has served out the term for which
he was appointed and the government can
be under no obligation to reappoint him.
Admitting that ne has made good officer
does not argue that he is the only man in
New York capable of making good post
master. The Office is vacant and there is
no reason why the govern ment should be
limited to one single individual in making a
selection to fill it. The design of the civil
service law is to introduce business methods
in the administration of government, and for
that reason its operation is confined to those
who bear business connection exclusively
toward the departments in which they are
engaged. 1t is not the design of the law to-
apply to the heads of the departments or to
those who WELD a political influence in the
administration of their Office That the New
York postoffice is political power is not de-
MED. Now the question recurs to Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND, shall he place this power in the hands
of the friends of his administration or in the
hands Of its opponents. 1t looks to be very
simple proposition and ought to be easy of
solution. 1t is the duty of the president to
carry out the provisions of the civil service
law to the minutest detail in all matters re-
lating to those whom it is designed to protect
But when it comes to those who are not I'M
der the protection of its agis, then his own
judgment and the welfare of the country
should be his guide. The American people
committed the government and its controlto
the Democratic party for four years. Mr..
CLEVELAND is the agent selected by that
party to execute its will. If he does
not do so then he is false to the
trust committed to his keeping. If the Dem
ocratic party does not perform the work it
pledged itself to do then it is false to its
trust, and when the four years are up the
people will turn the govern ment over to some
other party. If on the other hand the Demo-
cratic party performs its pledges then it will
have right to ask the people for an extern
sion of its power. In order TO carry out
successfully all the reforms it is committed
to the Democratic party must assert for itself
the right to select its own agents. That Ia a
correct principle, and does not conflict with
any sort of civil service reform theory. 1t
is not the announcement or practice Of any
spoils system. 1t is a business proposition,
just as an individual who is the head of a
large business establishment would be con-
ceded the right to select his own clerks and
statesmen, and not be expected to go to
some rival establishment and ask it to run
his business for him. When the Republican
officials are wanted to run the departments
of government the people will put the Re-
publican party in power. AS loLg as they
place the Democratic party at the helm it is
expected that Democrats will fill the offices.