Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-06
THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
what District Democrats Say on the
Subject.


what District Democrats Say on the
Subject.
II think" said Mr. Lawrence Gardner. when
asked by STAR reporter his views regarding
the offices under the District Commissioners,
shat change should be made in the clerical
force In the District buildings. The entire
corps should be overhauled and the incompe-
tents weeded out. There are some efficient men
among them. but the trouble is they have to do
the work for the drones, who manage to draw
their salaries, and that is about all. The system
Of appointments during the past has been such
vicious one that the bad effects are still mani
fest. Congressional influence has had entirely
TOO much to do with District appointments.
mendatlon and on that, and they are still in
ONCE Why have been told that as many as
seventeen employees have been known to leave
the District building in the evening for the B.
and F; depot, to take the train for
Aiexandria. 1 suppose that Maryland
there are the people from every section of the
country who have been fastened upon us here
by their members of Congress. To this day you
Senator's influences and that R epresentati s
endorsement, and we cannot help feeling that
Of o ths ean
be asked Of the Commissioners is that they
give recognition to the principle which gave
for District offices. 1t is true that this change
was brought about, mainly through the untiring
mon and men eo wha are now aesPsea as spo
without question that the Commissioners owe
their places to-day to these very efforts. The
on for years, and it is now the duty of the Com
missioners to see that 1t applies to the minor
offices as it has been applied to the places now
held by themselves"
MR.. BELL BELIEVES IN THE PRESIDENTS
POLICY,
Mr.. w. Peirce Bell said: ~ am not a spoils-
man and don't believe In politics of that sort.
know of no necessity for a clean sweep in the
District Offices and don't expect that any will
be made. Where changes are needed, believe
In making them, and where vacancies occur
am heartily In favor of appointing democrats,
sweeping Changes and in making discharges
for the sake of the offices. 1 am a Cleveland
democrat, and think that the President is doing
office, but only where knew that the cand.
dates were competent, and urge their appoint
ment when there is place to be filled. AS to
the offices being filled by persons residing out
side OF the District, / have always been OPP
posed to that, but you know that the people of
Maryland and Virginia are not afflicted with
mOdesty when they want an office, and have
yet to hear OF q case where they exhibited re-
luctance to take position in the District, and
thus deprive the citizens of the District of the
rights which the citizens of every state de-
lnand and receive"
MIR. BAKER OPPOSED TO CHANGES ON PoLITI-
CAL GROUNDS.
II am decidedly in favor of having things re-
main in statu quo, SO far offices are con-
cerned," said Mr.. John A. Baker, at is evident,
think, that the interests of the District will be
served best by not making changes in the offices
OF the District merely on political grounds. In
made it is not likely that District democrats
would profit by them. A citizen of the District
can hardly expect to exert as much influence as
member OF Congress. SO soon vacancy
was made in any of these offices these mem oers
OF Congress who are looking fox offices and have
ments by the civil service law would make
demand upon the District, and it would be
very bad policy to refuse the requests of men
who vote all the District supplies. Any man
dismissed from office on political grounds
would probably have friends in Congress who
would easily find some way of showing their
antagoniSm to the District government. II a
vacancy occurred and the recommendations
OF members of Congress were ignored, there
an unfriendly feeling towards the District.
Complaint is made that men who have not
been citizens of the District have been APP
pointed TO these offices. AS this city belongs to
the people OF the nation, and Congress votes
half OF the money expended by the District
government. it seems to me unreasonable to
claim all the offices for the District men. 1t is,
moreover, no more than fair that there should
be nc changes for political reasons. Under
nized rule That the District t a gevernm se
should be non-partisan. Major Twining, who
was a stalwart republican, was criticised for
appointing or retaining democrats in office, but
he insisted on removing District offices, as far
as possible, from the plane of politics. The re-
suit of such administration has been that the
District has not depended for support upon
either one of the parties in Congress, but has
counted its friends in both parties. Itwould be
a violation of faith now, think, for the demo-
Gratis TO ignore this rule. Besides, it would be
bad policy, for the Senate Is republican. Con-
sidering all these matters, am convinced that
1T would be impOlitic to undertake to make
changes among District offices and employees
on political grounds. Ii any employees are in
competent, of course they ought to De removed"
MR.. NORRIS LOOKS FOR "CLEANING OUT"
''There will have to be a cleaning out down
there before long," said Mr.. John f. Norris,
president of the Jackson Democratic associa-
tion, speaking of the District government
offices, Tor else the Commissioners will hear a
great noise. Why, there some OF the best
Offices under the government there. Still,
have very little faith in anything any more
No. the Jackson democrats have not expressed
themselves in relation TO these offices. They
have had no meeting recently. They will prob
ably meet in May. They are getting a little
cold. The fact is that it has not been very
warm season for them. Ii the Jackson demo-
Gratis expressed themselves 1 know they would
favor the appointment OF District democrats to
Distri ct government Offices.