New-York tribune., 1894-10-25
SELECTIONS From THE MAIL

ONE RULE FOR DISTRICT-AT'rORNEY5
AND ANOTHER FOR OTHER FEDERAL OFFICIALS
~ REGARD To 'rERNlclors ACTIVITY"
Washlngion. oct q (SpeclaD The letter OF At
torncyGcneraI Olney to United States Dlstrict-At-
tornoy Bible Of Tennessee. who had made ar
rangcments with the democratic State Committee
to carry his official power and influence" into the
political campaign ! as provoked good deal ol
harsh criticism among Democrats. some Of whom
pro(ess To be gr,a' stcklers for civil Service Re
form but at the same time countenance and en-
courage Pickwickian Interpretation and con
s,ricton by Democratic office holders OF the order
issued by President Cleveland on July II. 1876
which still stands unrevoked. Mr. Olney's letter.
however. clearly defines the attitude OF one branch
OF this Administration on that subject when II de-
clares that the rule OF the Department is that
disirict-attorncys not to actively participate in
campaign work" In some editorial comments on
this letter The Atlanta constution' pcrtinentIy
and forcibly says:
Tut II the rule is applicable to district-attorney
who MS Office TO the party In power, 1t ought
officers While We frmly believe that The rule is
absurdity. wa also believe that II 1t IS to apply
TO one Federal Official il ought 10 apply to al Ii
gil in Alabama and in all the other States \
distfict-attorney has AZ much right 20 promote tn
Interests 81 his party as cabinet officer no more.
no less While We do not believe In the rule
arc free to confess that Il It had been applied to
cabinet officers the condition Of the democratic
party in Nebraska would hc great deal better
han II is to-aa> AMI the democratic majority I'm
was shown to be at the last election. In Nebraska
thr Interference Of secretary Morton had to b, re
Scnted ny ovrrthro"lnS MN. and In Georgia the
L,cSponsc of ne n.mocratic voters TO IN Solihus
caused serious slimp In the Democratic majority.
While II is asserted that several prominent Demo
cratic Office holders vino had made preparations
to take al active part in the campaign have can
cclled their engagements, it Is evident that good
many more prefer L. continue their "pernicious
t'lpNcland'S n
s9un'.lng proi"Sflona ana proclamations in favor
tude.' They probably reason that ina smuch ne
has not lifted finger to prey. ut the repeated and
spirit ard letter q the Civii Service law which
have occurred In Washington under hts very nose
since The begnning OF this Admlnstraton. many
of which violations and evasions have been both
oiically and unoiicaily brought TO his notice, he
Wlil not openly dihcounenance even If he does not
secretly approve and encourage the course Of men
Official duties IN order to make Democratic cam
raign specches Deputy Controller Mansur evidently
weeks and IL now absent from his official duties
AT most critical time-when the accounting
organizcd and the oiice OF second Controller Which
he held unit! October Is being merged in that of
Bayard and Tinted states Ministers ,roehead and
Gray. all OF whom are absent from their Official
posts and who are expected TO deliver campaign
States. Consul General Crittendcn has also de-
serted his rost OF duty n Mexico to take part in
Of the state Department: who is Don NJ. Dckin-
sons Candidate. ior United States Senator from
Michigan: has cancelled his campaign engagements
in that state. he fact has not been made public,
and II Assistant Secretary Wikc and Controller
Eckels. OF the Treasury Department. have aban-
doned their Intention 10 take part In the Illinois
campaign. where Deputy Commissioner Bell Of the
Pension Bureau and other Federal Office holders are
even now bus,ly employed. they have been too
modest 10 announce the fact With the consent and
appreciation of Hoke Smith. the chief clerk OF the
Interior DEPARTMENT has gone to take active part
IN the North Carolina campaign, and Secretary
'arllslc's privat" secretary has gone TO Kentucky
of - similar miafon with the approval OF his CHIEF.
who IS ed To deliver carpaien speeches at
Louisville and indianapolis before the first sday
In Nosembcr. II ia also reported that Secretary
Carlisle Is strongly disposed accept a pressing
invitation to speak In NcwYoIk CITY before the
close OF the campaign, but that he Will not 10 so
until after he has consulted President Cleveland II
all