The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1890-05-16

WAnamaker says PernIslous Activity
AmOng subordInates VIII Vet be
TOIerAted-He Surprises and
DlsRusts Republicans.

TOlerAted-He Surprlses anu
DIsgusts Republicans.
The Republicans are very much
disguised with Postmaster Gener'
al Wanamaker for adopting Presl'
dent Cleveland's order 10 office
holders to keep out of politics. In
reply TO numerous letters received
by congressman, from time to
time, recently asking what posi-
lion the administration will take
regarding the office holders par,
tipating in primary elections and
nominating conventions, member
of the House addressed a letter
TO Mr.. Wanamaker, Postmaster
Genera, asking him to say what
attitude The Department holds up
on this question. Under the date
OF April 25th Mr.. Wanamaker re-
piled as follows;
Il have your favor inquiring The
practice OF the department regard
ing The political work of its appoln.
tees, and beg to say that the postal
laws and regulations are very eX-
plicit in this respect, as you viii
see by referring 10 section $50 OF
these regulations. Below are The
law and regulations referred 10,
and The realing of them will in
form office holders as 10 the views
of this administration"
Tie following issued by Presi-
dent Cleveland are the regula-
lions:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHING
TON, ID. c., July IA, 1SS6-To the
Heads of Departments in the Ser
vice of the General Government :
| deem this a proper time to eS-
Yecially warn all subordinates in
The several departments and all
OtFice-holders in the general gov
ernment against the use OF their
official positions in attempts to
control political movements i'll
their localities.
Ofice-hoIders are the agents OF
the people, not their masters. Not
only is their time and labor due 10
the government, but they should
scrupulously avoid in their pO!iti-
cal action, as well as the discharge
of their official duty, offending by
a display of obtrusive partisanshlp
their neighbers who have relations
with them as public officials.
They should also constantly re-
member that their party friends
from whom they have received
preferment have not invested
them with The power of arbltrari-
ly managing their political affairs.
They have no right as office-hold-
ers, TO dictate the political action
of their party associates, or to
throttle freedom Of action within
party lines by methods and prac.
tees which prevent every useful
and justifiable purpose OF party
organization.
The influence of the Federal Of
fce-h0lders should not he felt in
the manipulation Of political prl-
mary meetings and nominating
conventions. The use by these Of
ficials OF their position Ia compass
their selection as delegates TO pc
litical conventions is indecent and
unfair, and proper regard tor the
prOprietieS and requirements OF
official place will also prevent their
assuming the active conduct OF
political campaigns.
Individual interest and activity
in political affairs are by no means
condemned. Ofice-hOlders +
neither dIsfranchlsed nor forbidden
the exercise of political privileges,
nor Is their duty TO the party in
creased to %pernicious activity by
ofice.holding. A just discrimina-
ton in this regard between the
things a citizen may properly do
and the purpose for Which a pub
lie officer should not be used is
easy in the light of a correct appre-
citation of the relation between The
people and those intrusted with
official place, and a consideration
Of The necessity under our form Of
government of political action free
from political coercion.
You are requested 10 communi-
cate the substance of these views
to those for whose guidance they
are intended.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The foregoing regulation has Pc
culiar application to postmasters,
and its spirit should guide their
conduct in all their official inter
course with the public.