The Writings of Carl Schurz/To William A. Aiken, April 13th, 1893

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Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz
Carl Schurz and others, edited by Frederic Bancroft

Address: Civil Service Reform and Democracy, April 25th

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New York City: G. P. Putnam's Sons, pages 142–143

3521167Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz — To William A. Aiken, April 13thCarl Schurz and others

TO WM. A. AIKEN

Pocantico Hills, N. Y., April 13, 1893.

I heartily sympathize with you concerning the reappointment of Mr. Caruthers on the state of things you give. But it has been my inflexible rule not to sign any applications for office and no recommendations, unless I am asked by the Administration in a given case. I find it important that in my position I should adhere to this rule. I am in correspondence with President Cleveland on the subject in a general way and make every possible effort to dissuade him from making, or authorizing the Post-Office Department to make, removals, or, which amounts to the same thing, refuse to make reappointments after the expiration of the four-year term, for other than business reasons. I think it advisable to confine my correspondence with him to the discussion of the general principle without going into individual cases. I am persuaded upon consideration of the whole matter, you will agree with me in this respect.

I hope, however, you will leave no stone unturned in the Norwich [Conn.] case and wish you the best success.—Cordially yours.