Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 5.djvu/202

178 would probably have a bad effect upon the morals of the force; that Mr. Logan Carlisle, the appointment clerk, was boastingly proclaiming his purpose to clean out the Republicans from the Department as far as his power would reach, very much in the Eugene Higgins style; that he professed to be especially after those who were said to have made themselves indispensable; and that he would see them removed simply because they were Republicans.

I heard these things from several different sources which I have reason to consider trustworthy, and I must confess that I believe them to be substantially true. This seems to be “a case of a young man” whose head is turned by the possession of power and who wishes to show what he can do. His performances are attracting the same kind of attention that Eugene Higgins's antics attracted eight years ago. You will certainly stop this some day. Would it not be well to stop it promptly before more mischief is done?

I am by no means of the opinion that there should be no removals at all. I think the removal order by Secretary Lamont to clear his Department of incapables will be approved by every fair-thinking man. The manner in which he proceeded was admirable. Why should not a similar method be adopted in every Department? If after such an inquiry a man like Sturtevant is found unworthy to remain in the service, nobody will have a right to find fault. But when the same thing is done, or caused to be done, by a young appointment clerk attempting to run a great Department, it has a very different look.

I spoke with Secretary Carlisle about putting the division chiefs under the civil service rules. He expressed himself heartily in favor of it; the sooner it were done the better. I would again submit to you, whether it would not be well to do this now. I had a talk with Mr. Roosevelt