Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1885 — THE FEDERAL OFFICES. [ARTICLE]

THE FEDERAL OFFICES.

Rules That Govern the Seven Cabinet Members in Making Appointments. [Washington Cor. New York Herald.] The suggestion made by yonr correspondent some days ago—that all recommendations for office,with their signatures, should be published in the State or district in which the appointment was sought—has the favor of many experienced men here, who believe it would very greatly assist the President and Cabinet in selecting the most capable and honest men for the places they have to fill. The truth is, the new administration has in the matter of the offices a far more difficult task than any of its predecessors since Washington. The easy way is, of oourse, the old way of making a general sweep, or where political complexion has not changed of turning out enough men indiscriminately to reward tho hangers-on, servitors, and friends of the new administration and let the rest go until their places also are “wanted” by Congressmen and others for their “workers” and favorites. If Mr. Cleveland and his Cabinet followed the example wliich the Republicans have set during all their years of power they would have an easy job, when now they have so much work to do that they do not get through with even the actual vacancies in the service by death, resignation, and dismissal for unfitness.

Toward the close of April there were 3,000 official places vacant by death or resignation, and waiting to be filled. It is doubtful if these places have yet been filled, and their number is naturally always added to. There are about 1*03,000 places under the Government. Among such a number there must be continually deaths, resignations, and removals for misconduct. The question which is to be settled by this administration practically is how a few men at Washington can select men to fill even the vacancies alone as they occur, and be reasonably certain that the men they pick out are fit, honest and capable.

Of the 103,01)0 Federal placemen only 14,000 are included in and subject to the civil-service rules. So far as these are concerned the administration has no trouble. They are examined, and when vacancies happen men are selected from those who have passed examinations. As to the great remainder, it is probably the truth that Mr. Cleveland and his assistants are still much at sea. The President feels the very serious objections, on public grounds, which lie against letting Senators and Representatives and political bosses have such swing as this class have so long had in getting their friends and retainers into office, but he also feels that he and the Cabinet must have some help in making selections, if it were merely to fill vacancies. They can not personally know men in every county in the united States, and where several men offer themselves for a place the President and his helpers can not decide between them with any degree of certainty that they are taking the best man, without consulting some one presumed to be familiar with tho locality. Secretary Bayard, it is understood here, has laid down the rule that every applicant for an office within his department must place on file his application, with such recommendations of prominent persons as he can get. Thereupon the Secretary of State makes his selections from all the recommended persons. That would seem to be a practical way, and yet it is now plain to Mr. Bayard himself that it has led him into a considerable number of mistakes, some of them so serious that undoubtedly he will hear unpleasantly about them when the Senate comes to consider them.

Secretary Manning has, perhaps, a wider knowledge of men than any other Cabinet officer. He has been very prudent, and, as the politicians would say, slow in making changes, and has been able to find very good men for important places. Thus he made Mr. Jordan Teasurer, an undoubtedly good and important change; and Mr. Jordan, being a man of business, took the first opportunity he could get to assure his subordinates that he intended to keep all in their places who did their work. Again, Mr. Manning made Mr. Graves Chief of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a place which has long been used under previous administrations as one where Congressmen could get their favorites easily placed. But Mr. Graves is one of the most experienced and zealous civil-service reformers in Washington, and Mr. Manning’s appointment of Mr. Graves means that the old abuses in the bureau are to cease. There will no longer be favoritism there. Secretary Manning is going slow in a department which spreads all over the country and really needs many changes and a thorough overhauling, but he finds it difficult to lay his hands on such men as he wants for important places; and he means to make changes only when he’’is sure that he can improve the service. Secretary Lamar is as careful as Secretary Manning, and has so far made very few changes. He will make a good many for the good of the service before he gets through; but he, too, finds it difficult to get men of first-class ability to take important posts. Postmaster General Vilas is naturally the hardest worked man in the Cabinet. Of the 103,000 placemen in the service, 50,000 are Postmasters. Of the 3,010 vacancies recently reported, probably more than 1,500 were in his department. Mr. Vilas’ confidential letter to some members of Congress has been unfavorably commented on; but it is, after all, only evidence that Mr. Vilas has been reduced to desperation by the task he has in hand. His letter is an appeal for help. It is an appeal, not for partisan ends, but for an entirely proper object. But it is undoubtedly an appeal to the wrong people. Congressmen have too long had “the run of the offices. ” The abuse ought to be stopped, and it is a pity that Mr. Vilas has found no way to get the help he undoubtedly needs but this, which, no matter how careful he may be. will end only in perpetuating and strengthening a very grave abuse. If men who have thus misconducted themselves are to be retained in their places the essence of reform in the civil service is lost, and one of the most widespread and iniquitous abuses of the service is perpetuated. Mr. Vilas, in his letter, invites information on this matter. He has undoubtedly a right to be informed, because of himself he can not know. But certainly he would have done more wisely had he addressed his letter openly, not to Congressmen, who have no business to move in this Question, but to the public at large.