The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-01-25
MR.. CUTCHEON'S LETTER
RESIGNING AS CHAIRMAN OF THR
DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE.
The Chairman Gives His Reasons f<.r
- Desiring to Retire From the Conn.,
mittee as Chairman and Also as q
Member. &S 1f. g,Tl,t 10 - o.. 49,

Member. ...a'
st. Paul, Jan. 19.-The following is
the letter of Chairman Cntcheon, of the
Democratic state central committee, tel
dering his resignation as chairman and
member of the committee at the meeting
in st. Paul few days ago. The res
ignation, it will be remembered, was no.
accepted by the committee:
ITO the Secretary and Members of the
Democratic State Central Committee Of
MinnesOta-Dear Sirs: / desire to ten
der you my esignation of the Office Of
chairman of your committee, as well as
my resignation as member thereof
AS, doubtless, you are aware, activity
in connection with the distribution Of
official patronage is intensely disagreeable
to NE. I accepted the craftsmanship of
your committee in the earnest hope that
l should be able to be of service in 50
preserving and improving the organiza-
ton of the Democratic party il this
state that it would be prepared success
fully to meet the demands of the political
campaign of the coming year, and that
l might thus assist to hasten the CON-
ing of the complete triumph of the princi-
pies we all have at heart. Either the
building up of political machine, in the
popular sense of the word, or the monger-
ing of federal Offices was very far from
my thought, and is to-day farther from
my inclination. However, I was hardly
Installed in the position to which in April
last you did me the honor to elect me,
when l was forced to 1ealize that the
Democrats of the state expected from me
the devotion Of virtually my entire time
and energies to obtaining and distribut-
fnHnrol no trnn hat far k1~O,
ent, at least, they had little attention to
devote to the promotion of the effective
ness of the party organization: that all
eyes were turned toward the spoils of
past success, instead of toward the neces-
sity of laboring for future victory.
1.-The work of attempting to obtain and
parcel out Offices was forced upon me
not only upon this pressure upon the
part of the members of the party 10
this state, but by continued requests by
some Of the departments of the federal
government for recommendations of fit
persons to be appointed to a multitude
of minor offices. Under the circun1-
stances, I have endeavored to render
the individual members of the party
who have applied to me, and who
seemed deserving, such assistance as lay
in my power, and so to perform these
party interests.
1.-The work, however, has required and
still requires an expenditure of time
money and energy that is entirely be-
ycnd my ability. The position of chair
man of this committee demands a per
son who possesses ample leisure and
pecrniary means, as well as an inclina-
ton for its duties. I possess none Of
these qualifications. The craftsmanship
should be filed by one either in sympa-
thy with the other and more powerful
agencies which the present administra-
ton chooses to employ in selecting per
SOUS for federal appointment IN Mime
sofa, or one who commands leisure
means and inclination to combat these
agencies successfully. do not enjoy the
sympathy, the leisure or the means re-
ferred to.
"Moreover, without being guilty Of
disloyal criticism Of the present Demo
cratic administration, I may say that J
am not in sympathy with the policy
that has been adopted by it in making ap
pciEtments to federal offices. I believe
that no ore would give support more
heartily than would I to policy of
genuine civil service reform-a policy in
accordance with which removals from of
flee would be occasioned solely by unfit
ness to hold it ON the part of the incum-
bertrand appointment directed only by
the special fitness Of the appointee; but
with the policy adopted by the present
administration, which is at once retro
gres8ive from the standpoint of the re-
former, and unjust from the standpoint
Of the partisan, l have no sympathy. IL
my opinion this system retains all the
vices characteristic of the spells system
and possesses none Of its redee1ning quail
tiles.
Feeling then, as you perceive do,
trust that without hesitation you will
accept the designations have the honor
to tender herewith.
IF. w. NJ. Cutcheon.''