The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-05-02
RATHER DRY PICKING.
The Bulk Of Officeholders Now
Protected.
AND SAFE FROM sP0ILs SEEKERS.

VIII the Next President Try Co Reduce the
CiHssineations-How Presidents Grow In
Intellectual and Moral strepgth-nir.
weiimans Washington Gossip.
WASHINGTON. May I. Especial =
Ono Of the most interesting questions dis
cussed by politicians at the national capi-
tai Is whether or not tho Republicans, on
coming into possession of the presidency
again, less than q year hence, will have
the courage to undo great deal Of what
Mr. Cleveland has done In the direction OF
placing offices within the civil service 10
Is not everywhere admitted that the Re-
publicans are goirX to como into power.
Some Democrats strenuously deny II, while
others confess that the outlook for their
party Is rather gloomy. But, on the as
sumption that the Republicans win, tho
politicians and officeholders would very
much like to know whether tho civil serv-
ice classiflcations made by Mr.. Cleveland
will be permitted to stand. Mr.. Cleve-
land has now managed 20 include In the
civil service the great bulk of federal pat
ronage, SO much, in fact, that the Repub-
licans, II they get In, will find precious lit
"a Few spells Only"
There are the diplomatic posts abroad,
tho higher ones, which, of course, will go
to the big men. There are comparatively
small number of coliectorships and district
attorneyships and marshalships. But
there is not much else left with which to
take care Of the vast army of party fol-
lowers who will expect to be rewarded,
and who may be depended upon To raise
dreadful howl until they are. The post
masters will have little patronage to dis
pense, for the carriers and clerks are prac-
tically all under the civil service, as are
the railway mail service men. Now the
customs and internal revenue employees
are to be protected during good behavior,
and I'm the departments in this city only a
very small number OF government clerks
ars outside the protecting realm of the
civil service institution.
If the Republicans win the presidency,
1t Is safe to say they will have sorry time
Of 1t enforcing the orders which Mr.. Cleve-
land has issued. The pressure for striking
down the civil service classification Will be
fierce and tremendous, and on the other
side the reformers and great body of
good people who believe In keeping the
minor Offices out of politics as much as
possible and In the maintenance of per-
manent civil service like that in England
and other foreign countries will earnestly
resent Interference with the system which
has been built up during the last three ad-
Mr.. Cleveland is not the
only president who has added to the civil
service classifications. President Harrison
and President Arthur, and Hayes also, did
a good deal in that line But Mr.. Cleve-
land has done more than all of the others
together
Power of the Executive.
The new president, no matter which
party no halls from or what his name, will
have the power to strike down the civil
service as he finds 1t. 1t will not be neces-
sary for him To ask the permission of con-
gress or for any authority outside his own
pen. With "a single sweep of his writing
hand he can take out of tho civil service
any body of employees which
he wishes. The general impression through
out the country seems to be that all this Is
regulated by law of congress and cannot
BIO changed by president. But the law
simply authorizes the executive to throw
the protection of tho civil service about
ing president can remove 10 IL it so pleases
him. Under the constitution the executive
has the right to appoint all the civil en-
ployees OF the government, and 1t Is for
him To say To what extent he will turn
this right and prerogative over to a board
of civil service commissioners. But be-
lieve there is no case on record of presi-
dent taking backward step In what Is
Ill II 81. l. N
be bold president, indeed, who would
elect to do SO, no matter how much pres
sure there might be upon him from his
party followers.
Every man who lives long time in
Washington and enjoys opportunities for
presidents Of the United States
knows that the men who are elected to that
high Office grow I'm intellectual and moral
strength, in dignity Of character and In
ideals, after coming To the White House.
There Is something In this exalted station
which calls forth the highest and best
qualities of the men who are called to fill
it. Some of our presidents have been
rather accidental. Feats of military PROV
ess which pleased the multitude, queer po-
litioal combinations, the casualties of ma
tional conventions, have brought to the
chair men distinguished nei-
Their for their intellect nor their moral
character. But, save In one or two some.
what doubtful cases, no man has ever dis.
graced the chair of chief magistrate. Many
have given the country administrations of
great wisdom and patriotism. unexpected
by those who had known them before fate
singled them out for this responsibility.
Not to go too far back In history, IL Is now
admitted by every one that President
Hayes though far from being brilliant
man, gave the country a fine administra-
ton. Mr.. Arthur grew amazingly while
in the presidential chair. Mr.. Cleveland
had given little promise of the wonderful
strength and grasp Of affairs which he has
shown. He has grown not only In intel
leotual power, but in what might bo termed
an ethical view of his duties. Members OF
the cabinet, who OF course have intimate
with the president and ample
to study his character, tell me
they are amazed by his patriotic devotion
to his duties
Ideals Lifted.
For this reason doubt II any president
likely to be chosen by the Republican
party this year--if they shall be able to
choose one at all-will be found willing To
take backward step In what Is known rs
civil service reform. This idea of per-
manent civil service Is comparatively new
In our country, but it seems to have won
tho Endorsement of a majority Of the peo-
pie Of the better class. Many good men
and women would think president who
put back into politics "a block Of employees
who are now regarded rs fixtures on the
merit system an enemy to his country.
Every man who comes to the White House
Is intensely eager to make his administra-
ton a success IN the eyes of the best peo-
Pile of the country. He Is anxious about
his place I'm history.
WALTER WELLMAN