Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-24

Some time ago IL was stated in the news
columns of The Star that the Civf Service
Commission would almost surely request
the President to remove from office Charles
II. 3. Taylor Of Kansas. who as a reward
TO- services alleged TO have been rendered
the democratic party, was nominated and
confirmed as recorder of deeds for the Dis
trict Of Columbia. On Wednesday Mr. Taylor
appeared before the Commission end en-
deavored to explain Why and how his name
came to be prominent among the names of
those who have been endeavoring to bull
doze the colored ofiice-hoide-s into making
contributions to the democratic congress-
ional campaign fund 1t is understood that
Mr. Taylor's argument was weak, and for
this understanding Mr.. Taylor himself is
somewhat responsible. he having declared,
after his appearance before the Commits
sion. that the whole thing was simply
q matter Of race prejudice-that the
Commissioners were after him merely be-
cause he was not an American Caucasian;
thus indicating the impression made upon
him by the Commissioner questions. 1t Is
utter nonsense to talk of race prejudice in
this matter. The Civil Service Commits
sion has never hesitated to do what IL be-
-lieved to be its duty, and IL will not be de-
TERED in this instance by the wall of one
who may fairly be termed professional
NEGRO. II Taylor has been guilty OF the Of
lenses charged and the Commission recon-
tmends to the President that he be imme-
sdiately dismissed. 1t Is the fervent hope of
fevery friend to good government that the
President will not fall short of doing his
Sduty. 1t IL but little while since President
Cleveland said: IF we see nothing in our
victory but a license to revel in partisan
zspois. We shall fail at every point" Ac-
ccepting the resignation of Civil Service
Commissioner Dorman b. Eaton, the Presi-
Adent wrote: II believe in civil service re-
form and its application in the most practi-
cable form attainabie. among other reasons,
because IL opeas the door for the rich and
poor alike to a participation in public place
holding. And hope the time is at hand
when all our people will see the advantage
of a reliance for such an opportunity upon
merit and fitness instead of upon the caprice
or selfish interest Of those who impudentIy
stand between the people and the ma
chinery of thei- government. In the one
case, reasonable intelligence and the edu-
cation which Is freely furnished or forced
upon the youth of our land are the creden-
tials; In the other, the way Is fornd in
favor, secured py participation in partisan
work often uniting q person morally If
not mentally and physically, for the respon-
sib'lities and duties of pCtlic employment"
That participation in partisan work has be-
come a habit and necessity to Taylor and
has thus untitled him for holding any posi-
tinon under general or municipal govern
-nent should b. quite plain to the President,
even though 1t be not understood by Taylor
himself. In his first annual message to
Congress. President Cleveland said: II VEN
ture TO hope that We shall never again be
remitfed to the system which distributes
public positions purely as rewards for parti-
san service. The same hand that penned
those words signed TayIor's commission rs
recorder Of deeds. VIII the President cor
rect the error which he then made?