The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-09
The Distribution OF the omces

For several weeks Mr.. Clevelands time
will be almost wholly occupied in passing
upon the applications for Office which have
been fled already and which will be filed
within the next few days. He could not
get rid OF this work il be desired to, and
there is no reason for thinking that he would
like to get rid OF it. Republicans now &C.
cupy all the principal Offices outside Of the
cabinet Offices and it is quite certain that Mr..
/ Cleveland does not intend TO let them re-
main where they are. Some of the re-
| publican officials who were appointed for
! specified terms may be permitted to serve out
/ their terms, but others, particularly those
who have been extensively partisan in the
| discharge of their duties or have neglected
the public service TO perform partisan
work, will be notified very soon doubtless
that their designations are desired. It is safe
% say that democrats will succeed repub-
licaus Ia all the offices that are closely con-
nected with the administration Of the gov
eminent just as soon as satisfactory success
sors can be chosen.
Congressman Holman is of the opinion
that Mr.. Cleveland will be more conserva-
tive in the matter of appointments than he
was in 1885. In an interview last Monday
he said There will be an enlargement,
imagine, of the Cleveland idea that public
Office is a public trust Undoubtedly there
are to be many disappointed otfice-seek-
ers.n
From this is to be inferred that il will be
Mr.. Cleveland's policy TO permit the repub-
lican office holders who have administered
their trusts faithfully and satisfactorily TO
remain in office. While Mr.. Cleveland
will be disposed to be conservative it is
probable that Mr.. Holman's outline of
what bis policy is likely to
be is incorrect. a fair infer
ence from what Mr. Cleveland has said
in respect 10 the patronage is that merit,
and not party services alone, will guide him
In making appointments. The question OF
the fitness Of an applicant for an office will
be considered before any inquiry is made as
to the party services be has rendered. Party
work will not be an objection to an appli-
cart, but IL will not insure his success unless
he is fitted to discharge the duties Of the
Office he aspires TO fill. Mr.. Cleveland
seems to have the idea that it is his duty to
provide the people with good and accept
able officials rather than reward those who
may have been active in the campaign in
his behalf
The civil service law will be respected in
every particular. 1t has already been ex-
tended TO include nearly ell the minor
places in the different departments. and it
would not be at all surprising il Mr.. Cleve-
land should still further extend it. He be-
lieves that changes should be made in the
little places, the clerkships, only for cause,
because those who are familiar with the
duties Of such places can render the public
better service than those who have had
neither experience nor training.
The Democratic party would not be salts
fed, and it would have good reason not TO
be, if the administration should be Indif-
ferent about appointing democrats to the
places which are not under the civil
service law. To such places democrats
should be appointed. not only because they
could help to make the administration
popular and successful. but.also because the
people by their votes have said that they
want the government democratic In all its
branches.
AS Mr.. Holman says, there will be many
disappointed office-seekers. That would be
the case if there were twice as many offices
as there are. The large number of APP
plicants, however, gives Mr. Cleveland and
his cabinet an opportunity to fill the offices
with men who will serve the public faith
fully and satisfactorily. and at the same
time reflect credit upon the Democratic
party.