The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-19

other removal than mine, beyond par
allel togo down through history when |
am forgotten. Before do so, let me refer
as proof ol your ignorance OF public opln-
ion, and not OF your indifference
TO it, to what you say in the
S,m articles, OF Mr. Burncs, of
Missouri as zone not guilty of the annoy
anco TO which you are subjected by the
country members OF Congress introducing
TO you their constituents because he al
ways presented his constituents at public
receptions" Ii Mr.. Burnes were living, he
could tell you another reason, which he
often told TO others. that he had been
rudcly treated by YOU, and had no respect
for you personally, and asCribed the de-
feat of the Democratic party TO your ig-
norance OF IT, IL was unnecessary that
you should make some such an eXplana-
ton for your attack upon the "wayback'
members, but YOU are unfortunate in the
selection OF your witness, one OF the ablcst
and noblest Legislators in Congress.
But 10 the case OF removal which must
become an important part Of the history
of the country. | was on the floor OF the
House Of Representatives during the time
that the votes OF the Electoral College
WIN AhNliAAA NlANl AlNNlh AllN AlHNNllANH
mcnt of the result-that benjamin llarri-
sou was duly elected President OF the
United States-but the words that burned
deep through the empty boxes OF tho ADJ
ministraton could not be officially added,
though known TO bc true, lin place OF
Grover Cleveland, removed" Ry whom
and for what cause remoyed2 The answer
tx now being made in every home, in
lafstp.aa la. lanl ht.ts.E.s
will inscribo II upon all its records.
Judge Edgarton attributes Mr.. Clovc-
lands defeat to his disregard Of the opin.
Of his party and to his political ingralitnde,
and continues rs follows:
In the statement of your public acts M
printed in the Sun article referred to. h
this declaration. "Whon Mr.. Cleveland
came into office, he found the departments
filled with incumpotcnts, who had found
permanent Judgment there through la-
yoritism, etc.
How can you say that YOU found the
departments lllcd with incompcients and
yet retained all in office during your
administration? There In mistake some
whereof
Did You not know. Mr.. President. that
In office in the departments wcrc there
in 1882
Lot me present to YOU the fact that ono
Statc-tho State Of Maino-has Ia one
department only the Treasury Depart.
mont, siNty-onc clerks, not one Of whom
has passed Civil Service examination,
but all found permanent lodrment'
there through fayontism. aud were there
when YOU were inaugumtcd in 1885, and
are yet la office. The same condition oi
things exists in other departments You
will soon have no power OF removal aud
the places they hold will not be- subject To
your clearing OUT efforts. You have
shut your eyes To the fact that these clerks
have been active aud successful in aiding
Ia your own clearing out" aud the poor
Civil Service eligihlcs still have the
wide scope YOU have secured for thcm
ON the outside, while the iucompclcnts are
| rejoicing within. You do not understand
/ thc civil service law, MIR. President. lts
| examinations nre not made Tor those In
side, but Tor those outside. Your theory
OF inaction would defeat the law You
| have not dared 10 weed out incompcicnts.
Judge Edgrl0n criticiscs the conduct of
one OF the other commissioners, Without
mentioning his name, aud concludes a8
follows
ann justified In stating one single fact
Of mischicyous distfust AMI wrong doing
/ on the parto OF Commissioned charge.
/ Collector Magonc of New York, addressed
TO me personal letter, thus marked on
/ the envelope, the postage paid, no indirn-
/ ton that il could be official, ON the inside
also marked personal aud this letter
was opened aud read by the commissioner
In charge aud forwarded to the Other com.
missioner, then In Boston, aud 10y bin
answered before the letter was sent 10 inc,
then nt home la the West.
From such sources M this has come
nearly al Of the attacks upon me, aud,
doubt not, most oi the misrepresentation
Of my opinions made 10 you; whether the,
had any influence Is questionable.
A. i. EDUAHroN