and you returned such bills without your approval on the ground that legislation of that kind does not belong in appropriation bills and is an improper interference with the Executive power, aside from the fact that it conflicts with the Republican platform, I have not the least doubt that the bills would at once be repassed without those provisions, and that such things would never be heard of again. On the whole, I am convinced that such steps on your part would instantly arrest the reactionary movement, save you from no end of trouble, and be received with enthusiastic applause by the whole country—an applause which would completely silence the noisy shouters and put them to shame. I need not tell you how the people admire and love courageous honesty.
Neither do I think that the investigation by the Senate Committee at present going on should be regarded as standing in the way of such a declaration. That investigation is, it appears, so conducted as to show that the civil service law and the rules have not been fairly and impartially executed. Assuming this to be shown, the remedy would not be the total or partial abolition of the law and the rules, but a fairer, more impartial and more efficient enforcement of them.
Will you pardon the freedom with which I have written to you? My heart is in the cause, and I feel I can serve it, as well as your Administration, in no better way than by speaking to you with entire candor and sincerity.
ARMED OR UNARMED PEACE[1]
The address recently delivered before the Naval War College at Newport by our new Assistant Secretary of the
- ↑ From Harper's Weekly of June 19, 1897. Grateful acknowledgments are made to Harper & Brothers for generous permission to reprint this article.
