The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-07-24
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
The Presidents Circular to Office Holders
Some Views on Civil Service Re-
form-Politics and Other Matters.
BALTIMORE. July Doth. 1881

using their positions as Office holders to influence
or control such matters one way other, is very
timely and appropriate advice. 1t is just what
should be done. As matter of course there will
be those of different political views in office. There
always have been and always will be, and it is
right such should be the case. Whether person
be in or out of office is no reason why he should
not entertain his sentiments as well on politics as
on other subjects. He would fail in due respect
to himself and others did he do otherwise. The
truth is he would not be q full man and lose the
proper respect of the community. He would be
put down as no man at all did he do differently
He would lose even the respect of his opponents.
They would say he had no opinion at all and OF
no use to one side or the other. Not even his best
friends would have any respect for him. Though
wrong, still he has an honest opinion and clings
to it so long as he believed himself right. Such
a person challenges our respect and confidence
This does not argue, however, that because he
holds such opinions, political, religious or other
wise that he is right that he should not excuse
Others for differing from him. He has the inherent
right to them himself as others have to theirs, and
if st any time finds himself wrong does right in
changing to what he thinks right. This, if honest,
is the best thing he can do, and none can or will
blame him for it. The world ever has and ever
will differ in sentiment and it is right it should
do so. Because person may hold political
Office and the law, as the civil service law emphat-
lCalV does, pTUulUltS POIooh s
in politics whilst rendering his services to the puo
lie or government, is no reason why he should be
without an opinion. He simply is requested not
to allow his political opinions to interfere with his
duties as public servant one way or the other.
He is to know he is serving the public-the people
at large of both and all parties-for their general
good one as we'll as the other. Partizanism is a
thing that comes in for another purpose and at
another time. public official is supposed to be
Co.. tba h01 I'M m unity with which
tizanism or political, individual views has nothing
to do. Why then should he be expected to favor
a norton of the community when he is employed
TO discharge duties involving the interests of all
alike. wholly independent of his own sentiments.
For this reason the civil service principle is good
one no matter what party be in power.
As parties have heretofore existed, and yet to a
certain extent the victors claimed the spos, con
seouently the party N power expected the Offices
thus making the reigning party partial one
Seeing its evil the civil service law was enacted.
1t has been found so far as applied and carried
out most excellent one, destined to become bet
ter. hope, as time advances and people over
come their prejudices. 1t never can, however, be
fully carried out long as one sided politics Is
permitted to interfere. Those who have the ap-
pointing power should not know or wish to know
what are an applicants politics or to what party
he belongs The only thing to be known is, is he
capable, is he competent, is he honest, and Will he
make a good officer? Will he serve the govern
ment well and fully attend to his duties !? This is
all that is to be known and to it held strictly
This is what is meant by civil service reform. HIS
Office is business arrangement between MIN ana
those who give employment There is no use OF
knowing what his private politics may be, as it is
merely sentiment and nothing whatever to do
with public affairs as involving the good OF the
country and the whole people who vote for one
whom they may think the best man. The civil
service law unquestionably is a good one and
must eventually prevail. TWAS favorite measure
with the Democrats and we give it credit toward
advancement. 1t has likewise been aided and ap'
proved by the opposition until both realize its
virtues The whole country, indeed, are in favor
of it. The only barrier to its progress is political
prediudice which in due time must give way
There must be time to begin putting it into full
operation and the sooner the better. Do not allow
politics to stand in the way of so good thing.
Whatever party opposes it-as party-is bound
to suffer and eventually 60 down. lis principle is
in the hearts of the people and is sure OF coming
out right President Cleveland sees this and thus
he has issued his timely circular which appeared
in the journals of the country few days ago. 1t
is but carrying out the Presidents views long
since entertained and hope to see him fully sus-
tanned but by all means forget as far as possible
the mere question of politics when civil service is
thought of. Otherwise the law itself will not fail
but those who oppose it WILL have read Presi
dent Ceveland's circular carefully and give it my
full appreciation. There must be time to begin
properly carrying out fully, impartaly the law
and the present seems suspicious occasion.
There now appears no doubt whatever that Hon.
VIM Pinkney Whyte will be nominated for Con-
gress in the Third district, with an almost certain
ty of election. 7 have heard that he intended to
run whether nominated not, though of this there
is some doubt He is no doubt an able statesman
and would not only honor himself but be an honor
to his constituents 1t is of doubtful if any
Republican opposition could be chosen, the odds
against him is so large. If good man, however,
is put up he will command the full vote OF his
am glad to see Hon. J. Fred. C. Talbot max
ing such good Roadway in the Second district
He certainly made an active, industrious member
when he was in the House before. If, therefore,
a Democrat is to be elected why not take him
again.
There are several Democratic aspirants for Con-
gress in the Fourth district, but Mr.. Findlay seems
ahead. He is very popular with both PARTIES
That he is an able member, eloquent speaker and
popular with both parties there is no doubt. No
man has risen more rapidly in Congress than he.
He comes of good Wing stock.
Mayor Hodges has returned from short stay
at Atlantic City where he and the Governor re-
viewed the Fifth Regiment and had very pleas
ant Time. bOtn SenIleHcu nduo 'oiy
and appropriate speeches. The members OF the
Fifth speak highly of the watering place in every
respect and will return home the last OF the pres
ent week.
The mysterious departure of James R. Willing,
who was member of our Legislature last winter
from Baltimore, has caused much talk and specu-
laton. He goes away leaving some $4,000 or
100000 Indebtedness. His whereabouts is not
known.
learn from passenger on board the regular
steamer which left Baltimore last Thursday for
Boston, that they encountered some distance out
side of Boston heavy storm and had danger
Gus time. They were detained two or more hours
by it and thick fog. They, however, got through
safely. There were thirty forty excursionists
on board besides many others. All were much
frightened and in danger of being lost.
The Prohibition party is growing in Baltimore
considerably and with fair management promises
to poll large vote if they nominate independent
men outside of each of the old parties. 1t will,
however, be long time before they can hope for
success.
There are accounts of Col. Fred. Raine resign
ing his consul generalship at Berlin if his health
gets worse. He finds the Office overtaxes him
with work. He is very industrious and makes
valuable officer at such place for our country
II lie will possibly make visit home at any rate
some time in the fall. NEsToR.