The record-union., 1893-03-25
WILL THE PRESIDENT APPLY THE
KNIFE.

Is an entire change in the postal service
wise policy? The outs are clamoring for
it with noisy demonstration more loud
than on any other occasion. Mr.. Cleve-
land was not elected this time upon the
war cry put the rascals out" The peo-
pie have shown their contempt for such
campaign methods; they did not take into
consideration for moment the questions
Of changes in subordinate positions in
seating Mr.. Cleveland for second time
In fact we concur with the Chicago NewS-
Record when it says:
1t may be said with entire confidence that
the people of the United States would rejoice
10 see the present National Administration
ADOPT the sane ana respectable policy OF con-
tinuing in office the postmasters of every
grade who have made good records in the
Federal service.
OF course the inefficient should be
weeded out, but neither good government
nor wise politics demand complete rev.
olution in the postofices. We concede
that in the larger cities there may be
changes made that viii fairly give the
new administration distributive patron
age of political advantage-thatw will be, so
long as civil service reform does not apply
to all classes in the postal service.
But in the great majority of the post
Offices to simply turn some men out to
put some others in as political reward,
will not be in accord with the growing
sentiment of the nation on this question
of patronage. The declarations of Mr..
Cleveland most recently made lead those
who have studied them well to believe
that he is not disposed to heed the "spoiIsp
doctrine much, or to make his admins
tration emphasize the politicians claim
that the end and aim of party organiza-
ton is reward and spoils distribution.
We believe that the new President is
thinking more deeply of a policy that
will insure the highest efficiency in pub
lie service than of policy of distribution
of political rewards. 1t seems, indeed,
from all he says that he has made up his
mind to face hot contest with his party,
if need be, on this question. That the
doctrine of rotation in Office is likely to
receive a blow from his administration:
hat it is to be under him rather business
capacity than political compensation.
there is good reason to anticipate.
OF course the reply will be made that
it cannot be accepted that there are not as
capable men out as in Office, not as high
business efficiency among those with po-
litical influence as with those having
none with the dominant party. Never
theless it seems to be agreed that the un-
wisdom of sweeping change, merely for
the sake of change, even where all things
are equal. is what is engaging the Presi-
Dental mind most deeply at this time.
However he may decide it, it is certain
that upon one line he is fixed; that is,
that where changes are made they shall
be to wholly new men. Having once
filed an office is not now to be recon-
mendation for reappointment. The men
who live upon Office are, in other
words, given to understand that they are
not desired as material for office-flling
again.
Whether there is sweeping rotation In
Office or not, the ex-office-holders are out
in the cold and must stay there In fact,
if the President exercises his power to
change all around, it will be upon pol
icy that is more clearly cut and sharply
defined rotation in Office than the coun-
try has ever before experienced.