The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-29
FEDERAL OFFICEHOLDERs AND
POLITICS.

OFFICEHOLDERs AND
POLITICS..
Washington dispatches say that President
Roosevelt will soon issue an order to fed
eral oficeholders directing them TO abstain
from active control of partisan politics.
Those who make this statement may not
have any information on the subject beyond
what is afforded by the Presidents WELL
known views and some of his casual ex-
pressions. but the statement is quite apt
10 prove correct. The President has long
been known as a strong advocate of civil
service reform in all it's phases, and he is
said TO have informed some OF his ap-
pointees to Office that it was his desire that
while in office they should take no active
or controlling part in politics. If he should
issue a general order on the subject to that
effect it is not likely that he would offer
any defense or justification OF it, for that
is not his way, but it could be justified or
several grounds. In the first place, it
would be merely a repetition of orders to
the same effect issued by former Presi-
dents and never revoked. Probably few
persons are aware that the principle is
almost as old as the government. The first
executive order on the subject was issued
by President jefferson, through the heads
of the several departments, shortly after
his first Inauguration in 1901. 1t was as fol-
lows:
The President of the United States has
seen with dissatisfaction officers of the gen.
eral government taking on various Occa-
siOnS active parts in the election OF the pub
lie functiOnaries, whether OF the general
or of the state governments Freedom of
elections being essential TO the material in
dependence or governments and or the
different branches of the same government,
so vitality cherished by most or our c0nst-
%tutions, it is deemed improper for officers
depending on the executive of the Union TO
attempt to control or influence the free eX-
ercise of the elective right. This l am in
structed, therefore, 10 notify TO all officers
within my department holding their APP
pointments under the authority or the Pres
ident directly, and TO desire them 10 nOtlty
to all subordinate 10 them. The right of
any officer to give his vote at elections as
a qualified citizen is not meant to be re-
strained, nor, however given, shall ii have
any effect to his prejudice; but it is ex-
pected that he will not attempt TO infiu-
ence the votes of others nor take part in
the business of electioneering, that being
deemed inconsistent with the spirit of the
Constitution and his duties TO 1t.
1t is probable this order was fairly we'll
enforced during the two administrations
of Jefferson. but as party spirit and activ-
ity grew 1t was ignored. In 1S41 President
Tyler issued a new order on the subject,
in which, after deprecating the practice of
official participation in campaigns or cleo
tiOneering. he said:
The President, therefore, directs that in
formation be given TO all officers and
agents in your department of the public
service that partisan interference in pOpu-
lar elections. whether of State officers or
officers of this government, and for whom
SOeVer or against WhOmSOeVer IL may be
exercised. or the payment of any contribu-
ton or assessment on salaries, or official
compensation for party or election pur-
poses, will be regarded by him as cause Of
removal. 1t is not intended that any Of
hcer shall be restrained in the free and
proper expression and maintenance Of his
opinions respecting public men or public
measures, or in the exercise to the fullest
degree of the constitutional right of suf-
frage. But persons employed under the
government and paid for their services out
of the public treasury are not expected to
take an active or OtfictOuS part in attempts
to influence the minds or votes of others,
such conduct being deemed inconsistent
with the spirit of the Constitution and the
duties of public agents acting under it.
The next reference to the subject was by
President Hayes, who, June %, 1877. issued
| llt lOllOW MS " a VI uCPdA NAiACAANS dAiu
| federal oficeholders generally:
No officer should be required or permitted
to take part in the management of political
organizations, caucuses conventions, or
election campaigns. Their right to vote
and TO express their views on public ques-
tiOns, either orally or through the press,
is not denied. provided IL does not interfere
with the discharge of their official duties.
No assessment for political purposes on OF
icers or subordinates should be allowed.
This was not quite as stringent as the
previous orders, but it was in the same
spirit and to the same general effect.
Finally. came the ''pernicious activity" or
der of President Cleveland. issued July II,
1886, warning all oficeholders under the
lgeneral government against the use of
their official positions in attempts to con-
troll political movements in their localities. +"
They were told that as oficeholders they
had no right to attempt to dictate or con-
troll the policy of either party, that their
influence should not be felt in the manipu-
Iation of political primary meetings and
nominating conventions. and that "the use
by officials of their positions to compass
their selection as delegates to political con-
ventions is indecent and unfair"
Thus il will be seen that four Presidents
of different parties nave issued orders for
bidding federal oficehOlders from aking an
active or controlling part in politics. If
President Roosevelt should conclude that
it is time to reassert the principle he can
find abundant precedent for it, and he can
also justify it. if he cares to, on the ground
that campaigns organized and managed by
federal officeholders are not apt to be win
ming campaigns. 1t is more likely, how
ever. that if he issues an order on the sub
ject he will let it justify itself.
GREATER CONTROL BY GOVERN
MENT.
"a L.. aovbtf,I 70 tho COxor,or s NFs--z