The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-04-13
OFFICE SEEKERS.
AND CABINET OFF,
GERS ALL BESIEGED.
WASHINGTON. d. c.. April Il

" aohiNulo>s ~ W, April H.
The White House and the several de
partments were overrun today by persons
anxious to receive appointments for them
selves or friends. The time of the Pres
ident and Cabinet officers was completely
occupied in giving audience to these PEG
pie. 1t is this incessant importuniDg
that is the main cause OF delay in making
appointments. So much time is occupied
in listening to appeals and arguments OF
office seekers and their friends that it is
only by remaining at their desks until
seven o'clock in the evening that heads
of departments are able to attend to the
current work. No time or opportu-
nifty is furnished for the consideration of
applications for office, and hence it is i'm
possible to make the changes that are
desired by the office seekers as well as
by the President. 1t has been suggested
to the President aud his secretaries that
notice should be given that; for fixed
period, no further audiences will be given
office seekers. This would enable the
authorities to take up and decide upon
many of the changes that are coutem
plated, but tor which the proper men
cannot be selected ;or lack o. time and
opportunity. In conversation today
on this subject Secretary Haiiord sid To
me: 1.-The men who are most c'amoi Gus
for early action and who are personally
most iutel ested i'll having changes made
are mainly Instrumental IN the delay, for
the reason that they will not give thu
President aud his Secretaries the opp Dr-
tunity to act. The changes cannot BE-
made without a certain amount of inves
tlgation aud discussion. The integrity
and efficiency of the public service is the
main consideration with the President.
He cannot incousiderately substitute one
man for another, merely that certain in
dividuals may be gratitied. Republicans
should, OF course, be preferred, but the
public interests cannot be jeopardized to
accommodate individual Republicans
What is needed is a fair chance to select
from the applicants the men best quail
fed and most deserving. This cannot be
done unless time and opportunity be Of
fered to analyze the testimony presented,
and this analysis is precluded by the con.
slant pressure that is maintained"
Persons who are acquainted with the
methods that prevail upon the change Of
administration will appreciate the force
OF these observations
A prominent Republican Senator said
to me in conversation upon this sub
Ject; Il am convinced that Harrison
has general rule to guide him in making
changes, and that is; where an incumbent
has been a good officer, not to remove
him until be has served term of four
years. | think this good rule Let it
be understood that where q man is APP
pointed to an important public office he
will remain for four years, regardless of
the results of a national election, provi
ded he discharges his duties with Impair
TALLY, efficiency and integrity, aud the
public service would be elevated and we
would be saved from this demuralizing
scramble that now marks a change OF
Administration. l recently called on the
Attorney General to urge change in the
MarshaPs office Of my State. In reply to
the Attorney Generals questions frank
ly SAID the incumbent was good officer
The only objection was that he was a
Democrat L was given to understand
that that was not sufficient cause for re-
moval, and that if he was efficient and
faithful it was but fair that he should
complete his term. | asseuted to this
proposition, and if we adopt this as
principle step will be gained toward
real and lasting reform of the civil service