Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 July 1880 — THE SPOILS SYSTEM. [ARTICLE]

THE SPOILS SYSTEM.

A Union Soldier Supplanted by an j Ex-Rebel. [Washington Cor. Chicago Times.] Mr. Hayes’ civil-service order is not j in tory active operation during this cam- i paign. Beside the forced assessment of clerks by the withholding a portion of their pay in the Treasury Department, a general inspection of the departments is being made for the purpose of weeding out all who are not professed loyal Republicans, without regard to their clerical capacity, One of the most flagrant cases of removals of this class is the dismissal from the War Department of Capt. Hamlin, of Springfield, Ill.' Hamlin was one of the best clerks in the War Department. He served during the war in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois. He was clerk in the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Illinois in 1877 and 1878. He was indorsed for an appointment at the War Department by Senators Logan and David Davis, and Gen. W. T. Sherman. During liis service as clerk he has discreetly avoided . politics. The clerk that sat next to him never-suspected that he was a Democrat. Complaint was made to Noah, the appointment clerk, that Hamlin had been a Democrat. Some one heard him say that he was going to Cincinnati. This was. enough, and Hamlin was abruptly dismissed. When he asked the reason he was bluntly told that it was because he Was a Democrat. Capt. Hamlin has since addressed the following letter to the Secretary of War. Washington, July 8, 1880. Hon. Alex. Ramsey, Secretary of War. Sib : Under the law approved March 16, 1880, ,to facilitate the settlement of pensions, by indorsement of Senators David Davis and John A. Logan and Gen. W. T. Sherman, I secured an appointment as one of the additional force. Upon inquiry I found that of all the additional force appointed I stood first in the performance of dutv. Of those appointed, as I now understand, only two are dismissed, of whom I am one. Among those retained the public record will show that the tail of the list in performing public service has had a great share in the dispensation of Government patronage, thus illustrating the beauties of “ civil-service reform” as now practiced. J. J. Noah, who supervises your appointments, submitted these inquiries : “ Are you not a Democrat? ” “ Did you not say you were going to Cincinnati ? ” and added : “ You have talked too much.” I replied that I had said I was going to Cincinnati ; that I was a Democrat; that he had no place in his gift for which I would surrender my political opinions; and also told him both by letter and in person that I had fought three years to maintain tho Union of the States, and was now a pensioner of the Government, and in addition to that I informed him that he had appointed in his new organization a person who carries the recommendation of Shelby M. Cu'.lom, Governor of the State of Illinois, being his cousin a Mr. McHenry, who during the wlicle war served as a Confederate soldier, was directing his bullets against the bosom of myself and comrades and against the integrity of the Union, of which you, sir, and your party profess to be the especial champions. Your secretary and appointment clerk informed me that some vacancy might occur in which he could place me, hut his remarks so clearly indicated that political proscription andjno “ civilservice reform” founded on merit would govern the bestowment of place that I deem it a public duty to address yon this open letter, to know whether or not you sustain this manner of administering the service of the people. I had declared that I would never give ono dollar to corrupt the people of this country to vote against the party of which I am a member, and especially against the great soldier who bared his bosom to the storm in behalf of the Union, and whom the Democrats have presented as their candidate for the Presidency. This may have been an additional reason why I faded to respond successfully to the peculiar civil-service reform that has signalized the history of your Secretary’s administration, and which he graphically described by stating that “you know, Hamlin, this is a political year.” I am, honored sir, your most obedient servant, D. M. Hamlin. When Senator Logan heard of the removal he addressed the following letter to the appointment clerk who had ordered Hamlin’s dismissal: July 18, 1880. Judge Noah: Dear Sib : lam truly sopy that you have discontinued Capt, Hamlin. He was appointed

especially for Judge Davis, With my joining him in the recommendation. I hope you may find it the proper thing to do to restore him. I understand that he has been supplanted by a Confederate soldier. This is rather tough, you beiiig a Union soldier yourself. He was a Democrat, but left them, and claims that he has done nothing to cause yon to think otherwise. Yours, truly, JoffN A Logan. Judge Davis also wrote from Bloomington as follows : Bloomington, 111., July 3, 1880. My Dkab Hamlin : lam chagrined and astonished at your discharge. I have recommended no one in your place. Indeed, I have no recollection of having recommended any one to the War Department for any place. Ido not believe Gen. Logan has recommended any one for your place. If Logan is in Washington you had better see him, and I have no doubt he will see you rectified. My recommendation is on file. I don’t see what more I can do unless I was there in person. lam sorry,

Truly yours,

DAVID DAVIS.