The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-09
The Vacancy In the Cabanct-The Policy OF
the Administration.

the Administration. 49,
The death of Postmaster General Brown
creates an important vacancy in the Cabinet
The Pi' sident will be fortunate should he sue
coed in filing this vacancy with an officer as de-
voted to the duties of his department, as
..n"ssoughly conversant with all Its vast and null
tfarioas details, and as competent to manage
them, as was Gov. Brown. The great experience
and practical knowledge Of the business of the
department possessed by the present acting Post
master General, Horatio King, renders any great
haste in selecting successor to the late incumbent
unnecessary. And, considering the treacheries,
conspiracies, deections and rebellious, which for
two years past have marked the doings of the
restless and scheming leaders, cliques, factions
and sections of the demoralzed democracy, the
President is under no obligations to consider any
other question, in making this appointment, than
the supeli'r practical fitness Of the man for the
official duties of the department.
But with all their alterations and faithless
proceedings, in Congress and out of Congress,
towards The a6 ADMINISTRATION, the managing politi-
clans Of the democratic camp, we may rely upon
it, will Insist upon their paramount claims
before d. mocratic administration. They will
insist that the Office belongs to the party;
1t belongs to the Southern wing of
the party, that the administration and
the spoils belong to the party, and that the
government should be administered for
the party FIRST and the country afterwards, &C.
cording to the doctrine of Marcy, established as
the ruling principle quarter of century ago,
that ''to the victors belong the spoils."
1t strikes us, however, that those democratic
factionists, North and South, who have made
themselves conspicuous in embarrassing and de-
feating the domestic and foreign policy of the
administration, upon this question, that or the
other, should be rigidly excluded from any
voice in reference to the filling of this or any
other important office within Mr.. Buchanan's
authority. Upon this point there is q
circumstance or two connected with the
late defeat of the Post Office appropria-
tons, and with the fatal relapse of Go.
vernon Brown, that should not be overlooked by
the President. An opportunity is afforded him
in this matter to let all the refractory and pre-
sump .uous leaders and cliques of the party un-
de stand distinctly that the administration has
more important objects to look after than the
hopeless task Of harmonizing the party through
the cohesive power Of the public plumber"
At all events, there is no necessity devolving
upon the President for an immediate appoint
ment of a new Postmaster General. The de-
partment, under the charge Of Mr.. King and his
experienced assistants, Will get along very well
for any length of time the President may re-
quire for deliberate consideration of the sub.
ject In this connection, the possible imperious
necessity before long of an extra session will af-
ford an argument ia favor ofour views. The great
age and falling strength of Gen. Cass may, at any
day, require him to surrender the portfolio Of
the State Department into the Presidents hands.
We hope that no such necessity may soon occur;
but it may soon occur, and lit should with the
vacancy still uusupplied in the Post Office De-
partment, the President will have fair margin
for definite reconstruction Of his Cabinet, so as
to make it more practical working unit than
it has proved to be.
the financial recommendations of Mr.. Cobb
had no small influence in Congress in embar.
RAISING the financial and tariff policy the admi-
nistration, and in defeating every attempt
to increase the deficient resources of the
treasury Then, again, whether deserved or
undeserved, the management of the affairs
of the Navy Department has involved hue
and cry from the opposition against Mr..
Toucey, which have operated more or less to the
prejudice Of the administration. All these things
might be advantageously adjusted through a re-
construction Of the Cabinet, upon the basis of
the opportunity we have suggested. A system of
transfers and changes would do the work, with
out giving offence in any quarter, with advantage
to the faithful body Of the democracy and with
the highest advantages to the unity and prac-
teal working efficiency of the whole machinery
of the government under the calm controlling
eye of Mr.. Buchanan.
Above all is the point still to be considered.
The President has still two years of his official
term before him. The treacherous leaders of the
democracy have broken the party into pieces
and these leaders and their followers have vir-
tually abandoned the administration to take care
of itself But the President may reorganize and
rebuild the party upon the platform of his admi-
nistration, through the means we have indicated,
and through compact and united Cabinet,
jealous and harmonious in their support of all
the great measures, foreign and domestic, of the
administration. In a word, with little mastery
inactivity in reference to new Postmaster
General, the death of Governor Brown may be
made, in behalf ofthe Presidents general policy,
the turning point to the greatest results touching
our foreign and domestic affairs, the integrity,
strength and efficiency of the administration, aud
the honor, prosperity and glory Of the country.
ALBANY DEspoTIsM IN OUR CrrrEs-A REvo-
LUTON REQr1nED.-We perceive that the Com.
mon Council of Brooklyn have appropriated
$4,000 for the celebration of the comnIetiop of