BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-09-27
SArJ jUkE1, SEPTEMBER /
Keeping Out Of Politics.

It is but seldom that this sordid and
matter of faa world brings to light such
noble picture of self-abnegation as that
presented to the public this morning, by
the letter of the Collector Of Customs. lis
open, manly admission of sympathy for
the Federal cause, and then his fear
less and frank declaration that for the
cause of insular progress and prosperity
he refrains from joining any party,
should stamp him as one Of the powers
in the land, as the man of the hour.
Mr. Cruzen's platform of principles
should also be warning to those in his
employ, to those people subject 10 his
influence. His statement that he can
not be politically active, but that he has
private syinpathies should be notice
to the people dependent upon his good
will for their maintenance in office,
that the Collector of Customs d oes not
intend to mix in politics, except in the
capacity of advisor to those whom he
thinks are right
We cannot in discussing. this topicre rain
from comparing Mr. Cruz5n's impcrSonal
attitude with that OF, the Insular Officials,
who having no politics themselves
find it very easy position indeed to
prevent others from having politics ;
who preach that politics and work mus
not mingle, when they have 10 trying
positions to take in making such deciar-
ations. The attitude is entirely selfish.
There is nothing noble il it.
Casting jest aside, howeve, this letter
Of Mr. Cruzens printed III the San Juan
News to-day is one Of the most garin2
examples OF active interest Ill the pc
litical situation which has yet come
before the public. Mr. Cruzen's attitude
of disjnterestedness is indeed very lalld-
able, bit that is all The letter itself,
the open declaration Of sympathy with
one party as against the other, is most
simple method of influencing the votes
of Subordinates and others indirectly
dependent upon those subordinates.
It is unfortunate that it ever was
published.
OF course there is a large possibility
that Mr.. Crdzen never intended the let
ter for publication. If this be SO he
must be relieved from all blame.
Any official has perfect right tc ex-
press his private opinion and desires.
Bat that opinion must never be used
for the pur pose OF influencing subordi-
mates, or the circle in which they ra-
diate.
Ii Mr.. Cruzen Intentionally caused
the publication of the letter, he stands
in the position Of using bis office for
the purpose OF influencing votes for one
political party as against the other.
His .itches between duty and political
belief is like the argument between
Launcelott and his conscie1ce. Laur-
celott plays mich more important
part than tie conscience.
This letter is especially interesting
and snggestlve III the light Of the unfair
attitude of those whom Mr. Cruzen
processes to think are right" Attacks
from all points OF the Island against
Insu!ar interest in politics. Removal Of
justices on the ground of bias. Transfer
of police officials because of failure, to
arrest all offenders, of whatever political
faith. A dozen instances Of immediate and
prompt action on the part Of the lnsu!aI
government.
Alongside of this effort and this work
comes the highest Federal employee on
the island writing letters which are
absolutely bound to influence woes,
which must of necessity say to every
man in the customs service, "The Col
lector of Customs is a Federal, and it is
he who keeps you employed and signs
your salary check every month.
To those honest and fairminded
IL 10
these attacks against the insular
officials on the ground of interest, there
can be but one lesson in this letter.
That must be the insincerity ard
dishonesty of those who have been
making such vigorous attacks against
the attitude which it is claimed is
partial.
Read in the news to-day the edilo-
rial attacking the Commissioner of Edu-
cation for an alleged interest in politics.
Read the complaint against partisanship.
Bitter dsnunciation, calls for the removal
OF an obedient subordinate. Then turn
the page and read Mr.. Ciuzen's letter.
Z Notice to every custom house ennplo-
yee that Mr.. Cruzenn IS a Federal SYM
pathizer, but that he is not going to be
active N politics. Noble Launcelo.t.
The B0LETIN has never had any
sympathy with the proposition that In
sillar employees have no right to enter
politics We have claimed and doclailnl
thaF orr N asura Civil SServise system is ]
an eSistant proof Of the rightsof every i
man to have political o Mons aud to be
active if he sees fit We can neverl
maintain however, that an Official
should use his Office for political parpo-
ses. n this mater Of political ACTIVITY,