St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-05-13
In Office for Thirty Years
Without Once Casting a
Ballot,
And on This Record the Mug.
wumps Dem md a Mans
Retention.
But Secretary Carlisle Threw
Chief Stuptevant Out
Without Delay.
Effect of the Life-Tenupe Rule
Regarding First-Class
Postoffices.
Special to the Globe.

Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, May 12.-Should the
fact that man has neglected to vote
for thirty years be considered a recon-
mendation for public office by this or
any other administration?
Secretary Carlisle thinks not, but
"Teddy" Roosevelt, Editor Godkin, of
the New York Evening Post. William
Dudley Foulke, of Indiana. and other
eminent advocates of an aristoeracy of
officeholders, say yes in thunder tones,
and have carried the matter 10 the
president in the case of A. l.. Sturte-
want, who has been removed from the
position Of chief of the division of sta
tionery, printing and blanks in the
treasury department by Secretary Car
Isle. Mr. Sturtevant'S case, as stated
by his friends the mugWumps, tollws /:
The attention of President Cleveland has
been called to the case of the removal of
Chief Sturtevant, of the treasury depart
ment by several members of the New York
aud Massachusetts Reform club as viola
ton of the spirit of the civil service rules
Mr. Sturteyant entered public service when
q minor and never voted in his life No i'm
putation OF any kind has ever been cast upon
his integrity or his marked efficiency. Civil
Service Commissioner Roosevelt is taking an
interest in the case
This IS the most favorable statement
that could be made in MIR. SturLevant's
case, and on it there is little doubt as to
what the decision of the president will
be. Mr.. Sturteyant is credited on the
books to the state of New Hampshire,
which is not so far distant that it would
seem that, had he been possessed Of the
first qualification for good citizenship,
he would at least once or twice in thirty
years have gone back to the old Granite
state and cast his ballot. His salary has
been $500 per year-quite enough to
have warranted him in discharging one
of the duties he owes to his country.
There have been many exciting
and important elections in the
state of bill" Chandler, when
the votes of all good citizens were de-
manded; but no necessity, no danger to
the state or the federal government.
ever impelled Mr.. Sturtevant to take
two or three of the thirty days vacation
in each year, which have been allowed
him and which he has always eagerly
taken with full pay. in trip to New
Hampshire for the purpose of voting.
And yet the failure of this man to vote
is being construed into an argument for
his retention in fairly lucrative office.
When the mugWumpS are foolish
enough to place themselves in such a
position as this, is it any wonder that
good citizens of all parties, who hold
that it is every mans duty to vote, are
disguised? A man who mas no views
OH public questions. no principles which
he is ready to defend at The ballot box or
is one of the men who have
no right to employment by a govern
ment like the United States. This is the
view taken by Secretary Carlisle, for
which he will be commended by all
good citizens, regardless of party.