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Editorial
July 17, 1877
National Republican (Washington City
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Editorial critiques President Hayes' 1877 order exempting National Committee members from resigning despite barring office-holders from political management, as inconsistent; defends it since committee inactive until 1880, reproducing the order for context.
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THE PRESIDENT'S ORDER AND THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE.
The President has decided that the spirit of the order to office-holders to retire from the management of political affairs does not require the members of the National Committee to resign. This decision has been sharply criticised as inconsistent with the order, for the reason that it exempts the highest officials from rules which are enforced against those of an inferior grade.
It is claimed, however, that the rule does not apply to the members of the National Committee, for the reason that during the interval between the close of a Presidential campaign and the opening of a new one by calling the next convention of the party, that committee has no political duties to perform. This view of the case contemplates that the present committee will have nothing to do until the spring of 1880, when they will merely be required to issue a call for a convention to select a candidate for the Presidency. It is claimed that the present committee has no further campaign work to do, and that work will devolve on the committee to be selected by the next convention.
It is claimed that the exceptions made by the President are in strict conformity to the spirit of the order, which we here reproduce for convenience of reference:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, June 22, 1877.
SIR: I desire to call your attention to the following paragraph in a letter addressed by me to the Secretary of the Treasury on the conduct to be observed by officers of the General Government in relation to the elections: "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 questions, either orally or through the press, is not denied, provided it does not interfere with the discharge of their official duties. No assessment for political purposes on officers or subordinates should be allowed." This rule is applicable to every department of the civil service. It should be understood by every officer of the General Government that he is expected to conform his conduct to its requirements.
It is claimed that this order was merely intended to prohibit officers from taking part in the political management of political affairs, and that merely calling a convention to assemble is not such an act as violates the spirit of the above order. It is understood that if any practical difficulties at any time arise under the exceptions as made by the President, the rule may be modified to suit the emergency.
The President has decided that the spirit of the order to office-holders to retire from the management of political affairs does not require the members of the National Committee to resign. This decision has been sharply criticised as inconsistent with the order, for the reason that it exempts the highest officials from rules which are enforced against those of an inferior grade.
It is claimed, however, that the rule does not apply to the members of the National Committee, for the reason that during the interval between the close of a Presidential campaign and the opening of a new one by calling the next convention of the party, that committee has no political duties to perform. This view of the case contemplates that the present committee will have nothing to do until the spring of 1880, when they will merely be required to issue a call for a convention to select a candidate for the Presidency. It is claimed that the present committee has no further campaign work to do, and that work will devolve on the committee to be selected by the next convention.
It is claimed that the exceptions made by the President are in strict conformity to the spirit of the order, which we here reproduce for convenience of reference:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, June 22, 1877.
SIR: I desire to call your attention to the following paragraph in a letter addressed by me to the Secretary of the Treasury on the conduct to be observed by officers of the General Government in relation to the elections: "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 questions, either orally or through the press, is not denied, provided it does not interfere with the discharge of their official duties. No assessment for political purposes on officers or subordinates should be allowed." This rule is applicable to every department of the civil service. It should be understood by every officer of the General Government that he is expected to conform his conduct to its requirements.
It is claimed that this order was merely intended to prohibit officers from taking part in the political management of political affairs, and that merely calling a convention to assemble is not such an act as violates the spirit of the above order. It is understood that if any practical difficulties at any time arise under the exceptions as made by the President, the rule may be modified to suit the emergency.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Presidential Order
National Committee
Political Neutrality
Civil Service Rules
Election Management
Office Holder Conduct
What entities or persons were involved?
President
National Committee
Secretary Of The Treasury
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
President's Exception For National Committee From Political Neutrality Order
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Inconsistency But Presents Defenses
Key Figures
President
National Committee
Secretary Of The Treasury
Key Arguments
President's Order Bars Office Holders From Managing Political Affairs
Decision Exempts National Committee Members From Resigning
Criticized As Inconsistent, Favoring Higher Officials
Committee Has No Political Duties Until 1880 Convention Call
Order Prohibits Involvement In Political Organizations And Campaigns
Right To Vote And Express Views Allowed If Not Interfering With Duties
No Assessments For Political Purposes
Exception Conforms To Order's Spirit As Calling Convention Is Not Management
Rule May Be Modified If Difficulties Arise