Evening star., 1897-03-26
EX- OFFICE HOLDERS
Former Connection With the Govern
ment Not Recommendation.
WHAT GENERAL HARRISON INTENDED
Better Give UP Their Hopes Of Re-
appointment.
MIR. NJ KIN LEY : PU RPOSE

President Mckinley wishes his friends TO
know that office holders under former re-
publican administrations need hot think
that their former connec ton with the gov
ernment in any way recommends them to-
him for appointment to their old places.
When Mr.. Mckinley went into the White
House March he discovered a condition
very similar to that which confronted Mr..
Cleveland when he entered upon his second
term. Not less than five hundred eX-offce
holders made their presence in the city
known to Mr. Mckinley. and all of them
We're bringing influence TO bear for reap
pointment TO places they Lad held under
the Harrison admnistra ton. Many of
them regarded themselves as sure winners
from the fact that they had satisfactorily
filed these places before If tine claims of
this class of office seekers had been recog-
nized by MIR. Mckinley 1t would have effec-
lively barred out from the NOS. desirable
places under the government in this
city, throughout the country and abroad
men who had received consideration
under the Harrison admlnlst tion. Mr..
Mckinley Immediately saw ine dilemma in
which ne was placed and mas now taken d
positive stand. He has told his intimate
friends. and through them wishes TO have
the party generally understand. that an eX-
office holder need not expect appointment
under this administration unless there are
extraordinary reasons for his selection.
Have Had Their Slice of Pie.
The fact that republican formerly held
office far from being a recommendation is
an actual disbarment from preference un-
der the present administration and all
such office seekers may as we'll understand
that they have had their slice of pie and
the plate will now be passed to workers
III the party who have not been favored. in
the past
E.x-Office holders under the Harrison ad-
ministration have sought to have Mr.. Nc
kinley look favOrably upon their claims
by arguing that it would be to his advan-
tage to conciliate the Harrison wing OF
the party. Mr.. Mckinley has replied to
such arguments that he has no objection
TO a republican who worked for Mr.. Har-
risons nomination in the past. and that In
fact, he will readily recognize such rae m
bers of the party and that ne will be able
to do so by selecting men who have never
before held office.
A close friend of eX-President Harrison
today stated to Star reporter tnat the
policy which Mr. Mckinley is now adopt
ing and which is similar to that Adopted
by Mr.. Cleveland al the beginning Of his
second term, is exactly the policy that
would have controlled Mr. Harrison had
ne been reelected This gentleman, a
prominent republican, who at one time en-
lations with the ex-President. said that
after Mr. Harrison's second nomination he
remarked that If he should be re-oIected
he would choose a new cabinet and ap-
point new men 10 office throughout the
government He saw that the continuance
of the same men in office would practically
disbar other republicans who were vCrk-
Ing energetically for his election from pre-
ferment.
The adoption of this rule by MIR Harri-
son would have been exceedingly embar-
rasStnE. because of the fact that his re-
nomination largely due to men who
had held office under him during the four
years OF his administration and who ex-
pected in the event of his reelection to con-
tnue in the enjoyment of their places
Better Give Up Their Hopes.
The fact that ex-officc holders NAV as
well give up the hopes they have enter
tanned for reappointment to their old places
is gradually becoming known to and ac-
cepted by them. Mr. Mckinley. during the
last few days. has expressed himself plainly
70 men who served under the Harrison ad-
ministration. Not long ago ex-senator b.
h Bruce saw Mr.. Mckinley and expressed
MS wish TO again fill the position of re-
corder of deeds for the District of Column
oia Mr. Mckinley plainly told him that
while he recognized the voting power of
the colored population of the United States
and looked upon Mr.. Bruce as one of the
prominent leaders Of the cOiored race he
could not for moment consider his rean-
polntment to his old place because of the
general rule he had adopted His reply TO
MT bruce was so positive that the ex-
recorder made no effort to argue the uues-
tioh with him, but quietly nursed his dis
appointment and has since made no al
tempt TO press his claims upon Mr.. Ne
kinley.