Beyond all other departments of government, the Treasury depends for its proper service upon business capacity and a knowledge of the principles of accounting and office routine.

Mr.Gallatin was well aware of the difficulties his predecessors had encountered in finding and retaining competent examining and auditing clerks.

As there was no reason to suppose that all this talent was to be found in the ranks of the Republican party, and his common sense pointed out the folly of limiting the market of supply, he early (July 25, 1801) prepared a circular to collectors, in which he informed them "that the door of office was no longer to be shut against any man because of his political opinions, but that integrity and capacity suitable to the station were to be the only qualifications required; and further, the President, considering freedom of opinion or freedom of suffrage at public elections imprescriptible rights of citizens, would regard any exercise of official influence to sustain or control the same rights in others as injurious to the public administration and practically destructive of the fundamental principles of a republican Constitution." But Mr.Jefferson and Mr.Madison opposed this simple declaration of a principle which has since been the base of every attempt at reform in the civil service.

Mr.Jefferson answered that after one half of the subordinates were exchanged, talents and worth might alone be inquired into in the case of new vacancies.
This was a miserable shuffling policy which defeated itself.

For a Federalist to retain office when such a discrimination was applied was of itself a degradation.