Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-05-03
Marrison,s Purpose.

Judging from the growing OF the Re
publican politicians and noting the de-
liberation with which changes I'm the
4 more important offices of the civil SER
vice are made, we conclude that the
president is conscientiously and deter
minedly bent upon redeeming his
promise to put only good men In office.
We are told that he makes personal
( inquiry into each case and that his cab.
inet officers function In filling the
higher Offices extends only to recon-
mendation.
That this is proper practice In the
president hardly admits of question.
The duty of filling these places is inn
posed upon him by the law and he has
the responsibility of its proper discharge.
Experience teaches that the recommen-
dations of the office seekers are untrust-
worthy, coming even from the highest
sources. John Sherman, for instance, has
lately been seen to have recommended
Tor comptroller notoriously black
sheep. The success Of administration
Mes In making good chiefs of depart
ments; and those who are disposed to
disparage the duty of selecting them do
not know of what they speak. There Is
notable illustration of this in the COM
piaint made by Bishop Potter, who de-
livered the generally very good New
York centennial sermon in st. Pauls
church, that the president has been
steadily engaged since his Inauguration
IN filling offices, and has had no
time to give to any other duty. Though
this be true, 1t is not condem-
nation OF the president or the duty.
1t h believed by nearly all the states
men OF our country, that change Of
important officials, at the end of their
Term, Is generally expedient and that a
change Of administration should be ac-
companied by free change Of officers.
The civil service law defines the limits
ofthis change, and If it is wise to further
limit 1t, the future law will so provide.
But the country needs to shun an aris-
tocracy Of ofiiceholders, and will always
want to shake these children up"
President Harrison we regret to under
stand is hardly strong enough physically
Tor the task he has set himself and he is
likely to fall sacrifice to the zeal with
which he scrutinizes the list of appli-
cants for office and battles with the
hungry set Of applicants and with the
big political guns who press for their
eeiection, regardless Of their fitness, and
intent only upon their party or personal
eervice. All of the men who have
undertaken to dictate to Harrison have
eome to grief and we now believe that
vhile his lamp holds out to burn
- will infiexibly maintain his resolu.
ION to follow his own judgment in the
1Astribution OF the offices. We do not
- . single Republican leader standing
ep before HIM and getting his demands
- the asking. We understand Harri-
eon's purpose to be the appointment of
epubhcans as fast as the present terms
- incumbents end and to regard party
11vice ~ prime but not a sole
quehncation. No reasonable fault can
- found with this purpose which runs
- line with the theory of our govern.
monc II Harrison can live through the |
peomuFe, the country will congratulate
1oDolf for there would not he a rap az
- Harrison policy left under Morton
And u Is notable that neither the presi-
Gpat, vice president or secretary of state
- hrst-class life insurance four wear.
~; aud that II Ii quite possible thai
- may have several administrations he
- the next election, and a perfect
kaleidoscope Of Office changing.