The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-08-16

concerning the ODtTuHlVe pArubAuhnlp
Of olhce.holdes about convention time.
For the information Of those gentlemen
holding office who, in the rush of business,
may have overlooked the Presidents or
der, 1t Is here reproduced:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, /
WASHINGTON, July "A, 1885. !
70 The Htqdj of Departments in the Service
Of he General Government:
deem this proper time to especially
warn all subOrdinates In the several de-
partnenis and otlice.holdeB under the
General Government against the use Of
their official positions In attempts to con.
troll political movements in their localities.
Ohice.hOlders are the agents Of the people,
no. their masters. Not only is their time
and labor due 10 the Government, but
they should sCrupulously avoid, in their
political action as we'll as In the discharge
OF their official duty, offending by q dis
play Of obtrusive partisanship their neigh
bora who have relations with them as pub.
lie officials, They should also constantly
remember that their party friends from
whom they have received preferment
have not invested them with the power Of
arbitrarily managing political affairs.
TAey have no right as otEice.holders to
dictate the political action Of their party
associates or to throttle freedom Of &C,
tion within party lines by methods and
practices which pervert every useful and
iusti6ablo purpose for party organization.
The influence OF Federal ofiiceholderB
should not be felt in the manipulation oi
political primary meetings and nominating
conventions. The uss by these officials
Of their positions 10 compass their seleC.
tions as delegates to political conventions
Is Indecent and unfair, and proper regard
Tor tho propfleties and requirements Of
Official place will also prevent their as.
Suming the active conduct OF political
Campaigns. Individual interest and 90.
ttvity In political affairs are by no means
condemned. 0iliCeholders are neither
disiranChised nor forbidden the exercise
otpoliIical privileges, but their privileges
are not enlarged nor 10 their duty TO party
Increased to pernicious activity by Office.
holders.
A Just discrimination In this regard be.
tween the things citizen may properly
do and the purposes for which 0 public
otliCs should not be used 10 easy In the
light oil a correct appreciation OF the rela.
ton between the people and those In.
trusted with official place and conaidera.
ton oi the necessity under our form oil
government Of political action free from
official CoerClon.' You are requested 10
communicate the substance Of tnese views
to those for whose guidance they are In.
tended. GRoyRR CLRyRLAND,
II West Virginians holding Office under
Mr., Cleveland ask whether tho President
is earnest, We are obliged 10 say that We
don't know. This we do know, that Il
their influence 10 not no be telt In the
manipulation Of political primary meet
inEs and nominating conventions" II will
be necessary 10 recaSt some Of the probR,
bIlItlOS Of the opening campaign, In Sd
dltlon TO the CaSes cited by Editor Hol
We submit a Tow more, that tho President
may understand what Interpretation Il
put upon his order by hlO very obedien
and much obliged. friends In West Viz
Uints