1880.] °V I [Snowden. 



A change in the national administration of the Govern- 

 ment, especially where one political party is succeeded by 

 another, must of necessity be followed by a change in such 

 leading and important public positions as reflect the pur- 

 poses and policy of the party in power, but in the name of 

 all that is reasonable and proper why should a change in 

 the administration necessitate a perfect upheaval in all our 

 civil service, from the humblest laborer to the most skilled 

 expert, mechanic or accountant ? Because a new President 

 is elected, is no reason why a skilled workman in the Mint, 

 an intelligent, well trained letter carrier, or any other faith- 

 ful employe of the Government should be removed. They 

 have been educated for the service at the public expense, 

 their education and equipment is the common property of 

 the people, and should not be thrown away to gratify parti- 

 san selfishness. 



What man of business, banker, manufacturer or merchant 

 would think of adopting such a short-sighted or pernicious 

 system in his own business? I know of no such man. 



And why should we not apply iti public affairs the same 

 common sense principles and rules that govern in the ordi- 

 nary pursuits of life ? It seems to be so reasonable and 

 proper a course that I cannot conceive of a good argument 

 against its adoption. Because the people, as is their right, 

 see fit to change the administration of national atfairs on 

 account of important public questions, such as the tariff, 

 finance, state right encroachments, or centralization, or any 

 other issue that may arise, is no reason why all the faithful 

 and skilled employes of the Government, from the lowest 

 up, should be turned out to give place to inexperienced suc- 

 cessors, whose education and equipment for the service is 

 attended with discomfort, errors, and loss to the people. 



I'KOC. AMEll. PIIILOS. SOC. XVIII. 100. oU. PKINTKD MAY 24, 1880. 



