Assassination and the Spoils System [pp. 145-170]

A,SSASSIArA TION A_ArD?HE SPOILS SYST'EM.
their places. I call the attention of gentlemen around me to
that shameful fact. The practice affords a large so-called electioneering fund which in many cases never gets beyond the
shysters and the mere camp-followers of the party." Such circulars have been issued during every campaign since that manly
and patriotic speech was made.
But, in obedience to the growing public opinion demanding the suppression of the abuse, a bill well adapted for that
purpose, and steering clear of objections which more radical
-measures had involved, was introduced, at the last session, by
Democratic members, and is now pending in both Houses of
Congress. If the Republicans will follow the advice of their
three last Presidents and the principles to which they are committed, this measure maybe passed at the next session. There
is no subject in our politics upon which the moral power and intelligence of the pulpit and of all patriotic citizens may be brought
to bear with more propriety and effect than upon this measure.
It is a direct and vital issue not of party politics, but of justice,
honor, and duty-an issue between all that is partisan, despotic,
and corrupt on one side, and all that is pure, righteous, and manly
in our politics on the other side. But this prostitution of the
power of appointment and removal extended to higher quarters,
where the consequences have been yet more disastrous. Members of Congress, as readily as the local politicians, comprehended
the selfish use.that might be made of it. They soon made themselves potential over its exercise in the great departments at
Washington; each of them-always with many honorable exceptions-coercing removals, and dictating the appointment
of not only those who are to serve within their respective
districts, but of his alleged proportion of those who are to
serve at Washington itself. For the places which they seize
by usurpation they apportion among themselves as spoils.
Having the power to make laws and the control of the appropriations, upon which every President and head of department and bureau is dependent, it only needed a spoils
system of appointment and removal to make that power irresistible by the Executive. Or, where a President did not care to
resist a prostitution of the appointing power on the one side and
of the legislative power on the other could thus readily be made
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