The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-06


2. He declares that the appointments
made after bis own election by his prede-
cessor did not confer upon the sppointses
any cleim to continuance IN office: that the
attempt tn impose them upon him as his
assistants ia administration was objectiona-
bic and offensive, and that be would not re-
gard the persons so appointed even as candi-
dates with claims TO be considered by him as
custodians OF the appointing power. So far,
therefore, as such appOintees were not pro-
tected by a constitutional tenure of Office
their appointments would be treated as if
they bad BOT been made. Works, ", 81,
$50, 393.4 546)
>. 1t was his opinion that Ministers of the
United States abroad should be recalled after
q reasonable time eff service, for reasons
which he said bad commanded the approval
OF President Washington, IS we'll as his own
deliberate judgment. He therefore recalled
his friend, Mr.. Short, and others from for
eign service, explained to them the grounds
OF fixed policy upon which he proceeded
letter to William Short, Works, ~, ABB
4. he wss unquestionably opposed to the
act of 18th May, 1920 (which fixed statute
~ term OF four years Tor msny Offices for
reasons stated in his letter to Mr. Madison,
of 10th November, 1920, but il is equally
certain that he would not have advised a
disregard of the statute by the Executive if
his opinion as to its enforcement had been
expressed. The power OF removal, vested
in the President By the constitution, can
not be destroyed or impaired by statute,
bat the manner in which commissions
shall 90 out, and the time for which
they sball issue, may be regulated by
law without impinging upon Executive
power AS matter OF policy, however, it
Is unTise and improper to remove officers OF
the United States during statutory terms of
service, unless for good cause. public or
peTsonal, and the announcement and en-
e. - IL. -
ecutlYe must IN view OF modern abuses of
the appointing power, be regarded n STEP
and an important step, in the direction of
genuine reform.
What shall be regarded as good cause for
removing an officer of the civil service is q
question of profound interest to the student
OF American politics. and one of continually
increasing Importance.
>. His opinion against nepotism, or the
appointment of relatives to Office. is strongly
expressed in his letter OF March ~. 1901, to
George Jefferson. Works 4, 1857
6. The celebrated New Haven letter OF
July - 1901 Works 4, 402) asserts or i'm
plies some of the foregoing points OF policy,
but is more remarkable for vigorous state
meDt of the ultimate object at which he
aimed-the condition of things which he
greatly desired and longed for. No
modern reformer OF the civil service has
aver more tersely and hadsomely ex-
who would prescribe prescription" and es.
tabllshing utoPian perfection in the man
agement OF public appointments. But we
must remember, as we read, that the words
are the words of a man of sympathetic ma
ture as well as intellectual force, and that,
as IN his great 6rst inaugural, he is stating
principle or rule without its necessary limi.
tations. He says: 81 shall return with Joy
to that state OF things when the only cues
ton concerning g candidate shall be: Is he
soonest, is he capable, is be faithful ID the
Constitution" But il we turn to his letter
to Levi Lincoln, written the day before, aud
10 other writings of his earlier and Of later
date, we will discover the sense in which he
used those words, faithful to the Constitu-
ton They did not, In his view. describe
the chiefs, the teachers and the believers of
the Hamilton school of opinion, who taught
and held the doctrine of strong government
by construction OF constitutional grants and
whose distrust of popular intelligence aud
wisdom was avOwed aud incorrigible. He
who habitually gave to those persoas blows,
and not favor, was the last among living
men to invite them 10 nestle in the posts
of government, thus enabling them to
extend the circle of their influence and
power.
But he had not only "the courage OF his
convictions" but also the zeal of a mission.
ary FOR their propagation and defense There
room for compromise with error or for sur
render of advantages to defiant and impIa.
cable foes. But In noble sense he was
willing, like the Apostle to the Gentile5, ito
become all things to all men," to win them
TO his faith and to the organization by
which that faith was upheld. Hence the
spirit OF tolerance toward the mass of the
party opposed to him at his election. He
sought for their conversion TO Republican
principles by exhibiting before them an ad-
miDislIation OF public affairs in which puri-
ty, high ability and wisdom were conspicu-
Gus, and by concilatory course toward
them in making renewals from office. And
he thoroughly accomplished his purpose.
At the end OF his public service he left Fed
eralism PROSTATE. his party triumphant and
the future of his country secure.
There is a plain distinction between civil
officers OF mere service, and off GERS of direc.
ton and control. The Cabinet Secretaries,
certain Commissioners, and heads of Bureaus
at Washington, Collectors of Customs, Post
masters in the principal cities, and some
other officers, hold offices of the latter class,
while the great mass of officers belong 10 the
former.
Officers OF direction and control are in a
special sense the SCENTS of the President in
the execution OF the laws. He selects and
appoints them, and is responsible for their
performance of duty. Besides, they either
select or are concerned IN the selection OF the
numerous subordinate officers and employees
who serve under them, aud in other respects
their powers are varied and extensive. 1t
is, therefore, necessary to efficient and sue
cessful administration that Presidential
power over their offices should be continuous
and complete. 1t follows that the Tenure
of Office laws of the United STATES, which
limit the Presidents power over those offices,
must be as pernicious in operation as they
are Cfeusive and unconstitutional in form.
c. r. BUcKALEW.
Declines the HlauchesIar a,OnsulehIU.