The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-06-22
Republican Hypocrisy.


Before starting on a tour of inspection in
the West and Northwest, the Civil Service
Commissioners called upon President Harri
sou to confer with him as to the feeling of the
Administration in reference to the civil service,
assuring him that there was an impression
that the law was being nullified by the prac-
tice Of officials The President said he was
not responsible for such an impression, and
authorized the Commissioners to strictly en-
force the law. President Harrison IS respon-
sible not only for the impression, but for the
absolute knowledge among the people that
the law has been ignored. Not only has he
knowledge that officials in the classified SER
vice have been removed simply because they
were Democrats, and to make room for he
publicans, but he was a party to the COM
plete reorganization of the railway mail SER
vice upon a Republican basis. He purposely
DELAYED the placing of this service under civil
service regulations in order to allow the re-
moval of Democrats, and he knows that
fraud was practiced by making removals after
the date of classification and dating dismissals
hack in order to evade the law. He can now
proclaim himselfa civil service reformer, for
nearly the whole force in the classified service
are Republicans, and in authorizing a street
enforcement of the law, he is only endorsing
a way to prevent Democrats from obtaining
Office. There is nothing to be gained by ig-
norine the civil service law, as all places are
filed by Republicans.
The Republican national platform upon
which Mr.. Harrison was efected~1through
bribery-declared;
sThe reform of the civil service
should be completed by the further extension
Of the reform system, already established by
law. to all grades ofthe service to which 1t IS
applicable. The spirit and purpose OF the
reform should be observed in all executive
amendments, and all laws at variance with
the objects Of existing reform legislation
should be repealed, to the end that the dan
gers to free institutions which Turk IN the
power of official patronage may be wisely ana
effectively avoided.
Mr.. Harrison in his Letter of Acceptance
warmly accepted the whole platform Of his
marty. and in reference TO this particular
plank, he said
81 cordially approve the clear and forcible
axnression of the convention upon this sub
ieet. The law should have the aid Of n friend
Iy Interpretation and be faithfully and yigor-
ously enforced. All appointments under II
should be absolutely free from partisan CON
siderations and influence. Some extensions
Of the classified list are practicable and desir-
able. and further legislation extending the
reform TO other branches Of the service TO
which it is applicable would receive my ap..
nroyal. In appointments to every grade anu
department fitness, and not party service,
sbonId he the essential and discriminating
test. and fidelity and efficiency the only sure
tenure of Office. Only the interests OF the
pablic service should suggest removals from
Office. Ii win be my sincere purpose
elected. to advance the reform.
In the light of the declarations Of the plat
form and the utteranees Of Mr.. Harrison, It
Is mildly stating the case when il i said that
the practice Of the Administration has been
and still is at variance with both the Letter
Of Acceptance and the Platform. To speak
plainIy Mr.. Harrison has been guilty OF by.
poerisy, and his civil service utteranees we're
a sham and a fraud TO catch votes. No Ad-
ministration for some years has made 20
MANY changes in so short time as the Har-
rison Administration, and removals have been
made in almost all instances upon political
Grounds entirely-effieient Democrats have
been removed solely to make room for Re
publicans who won recognition by partisan
political work ia the last campaign. And
campaign work is to be recommendation
for candidates for places yet to be filed. In
our own state the Collector and Postmaster
at Baltimore are to be allowed to fll out their
terms in order that plums may still be left to
be won BY partisan political work at the next
election. Without the hope Of Office, the
party would disband, and the leaders Of the
Black and Tan aggregation in this state have
given out that they expect to carry the state
this Gall, and have encouraged party workers
by telling them that the offices will be gwen
to those showing the most Democratic
scalps.' When the change Of Collector and
Postmaster comes about, they viii Ind 10
dfFeulty in evading the law aud filing all
pisces with Republicans. When offices are
ia sight, they will have no comPnneiions OF
conscience in reaching them. aud judging by
his own practice Mr.. Harrison will not ind
FAULT with the Collector and Postmaster Tor
substituting partisan workers for experienced
Democrats
The hypocrisy of the Administration IS no
less pronounced in its treatment Of ex- Federal
soldiers than it is in regard TO the civil service
law The Republican platform declared that
..Tbe grateful thanks of the American peo-
ple are due to the Union soldiers and sailors
Of the late war.
Among the very first removals OF President
Harrison was the removal Of Federal soldier
who was employed at the White House. He
was unfortunate enongh to be q Democrat, and
no field service can atone for q soldier being
n Democrat. Scores Of Democratic ex-Fed-
eral soldiers have been dismissed TO make
way for civilians, and in ore instance at least
= Democratic soldier, who had lost an arm in
the service. was dismissed and Rsgla was
put in his place Not only has the Republi-
can marty no thanks to offer Democrat who
fought on the Northern side, but they do not
give him as much consideration AS they do a
negro. And sometimes, when it comes to a
choice for public position between RePub-
liean soldier, who is nOt politically active, aud
a party worker who has not bsen in the army,
the latter has been selected.
The Commencement at Western Maryland
,v.tI. - .,all daecr;bed in our local de-