New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-26
APP0MrMENTS To OFFICE


We do not propose to ddrise Gen. Grant how
70 make appointments to the forty thousan0 Offices he
will be expected 20 III as ho becomes President
partly ne has not asked our advice from "heh
we that he docs not want itaud partly because w
do not suppose lie would take ~ oven We should thrust
:, uror him But we venture to submit 90 readers
Few suggestions gu the subject that they may nos be
taken bv surprise II they should find them substantially
acted on when the administration passes Wto Gen
+ an the Offices Of the country filled now. Whore
they prove 10 be- tceH nlcd-where we re. II.r"tnt
finds that the Hcumhents are honest .aiiA1. 4l en-.
Gent officers and not Extensively obnoxious % ohtIcahs
III kes ms that would De wso 70 LEI hc0 oio"t The
have acquired in the discharge OF their duties ana tho
Treasury will be saved from the new swarm OF hungry
of ce-seckers who ere awaiting their turn.
II INC President will md himself surrounded by an
army Of persons who will claim the night oi teHng nm
whom he may appoint ana "hOhi ne Hi'r' NV. ~ 'o
head OF the host will De the members ~ congress VINO
~ N would be- WISE think FOR the
new PRESIDENT 10 by denying th right ~, foio aud
by refusing IN the most positive manner thus 10 sur
render the appointing power into other hands. .
This claim Of Cougressmen 70 dictate the Presidents
uOderu but Il mas come 10 be very perenpofy ad ab
soluie No thing, probably, decided 30 many woes
Ind The House in favor OF Impeachment a. Pres dent John.
sons refusal TO permit members To make M hpp"n
ments FOR him. That Is the way 10 Winch every member
expects 20 pay his Obligations 10 those VINO were
most active devoted and effective ia secur-
ing bis election. The Presidential patronage is
os-urned 10 be the stock, Ola when The
Members OF Congress to draw for tho payment OF hc
political debts their checks on that bauk arc 'e y"i
well for tie new President 70 dspel thAt deiuo hd 70
give Congress and the county 70 understood At tle oi
ces Of The country parts OF the machinery bS "icl
caT,v AN The Goyerumeut Ills duy and his interest
alike require that none but 60Od neA bAolu DC APPOINTED
iii Congressmen NAV naturally be supposed 10 know
more about the character ana fitness ~ applicants ana
candidates for Office IN their respective dlstrct than the
President can; and he may, with great advantage,
therefore cali upou them 10 tel him triaf Mcy kJOtH
about them. Upon the information which he may be
able thus 70 gather from members OF Congress ana
Judgment, be- able to make good appoint,
not neir totstes which controls tho selection. For
member Of Congress TO tell the President rhya man
ought to be appointed what are his qualifications Tor TIC
place s TO render the President service but FOR him TO
demand an appointment IN order 70 pay on a political
obligation Of has OWL and 10 tel INN who must be ap-
pointed aud who must not Is little short Of al lmobon
" The President may ss well understand al FIRST what
be will very soon learn that applications FOR Office backed
up by great array OF names Of prominent and iEu
entail citizens are simply sahms-not worth tine paper
they written on and entitled 10 the least possible IN
presented sign them simply because 10 easier 10 Sign
\ than 70 explain Why they can't There are many men
asked 10 sign. We can name dozen men, Republi
cans, IN this city whose names Gen. Grant may rely
seeing upon every application for office that
this city, as well upon very many made from other
quarters II Is the most common thing IN the world FOR
men to recommend" for responsible places persons Of
whom they know absolutely nothing whatever This Is
that has Of late years befaen the public service aud
sooner is broken ny and utterly destroyed The better
/ The President readily md men, In every district
upon whom he can call for Information as 70 the quanh
cations OF applicants with reasonable certainty OF get
ting information that dslneTested aud trustworthy.
v We hope that Gen Grant Will, so far possible, re-
the practice OF the earlier and purer days Of the
Government, by leaving 10 each Head Of Department u
the MAN. duty and responsibility OF selecting his
subordnates lie Will thus escape Of the heaviest
and Tepulsiye OF the many burdens which the AFRO
gauce and sehshness OF political pariisanshp has fast
ened his Office and restore 10 the several Departments
as well a. reclaim for himself something Of the dgmty
and Independence which Justly belongs 20 them, and
without which proper performance OF duty Is mpos
sble
We hope that the country may have the benefit Of an
organized Cyil Service on system TO be liked by law
In which ability, integrity and efficiency shall be
nized requisites Tor getting Ohce and as the only
thing necessary retain IT, But the establishment OF
such system will meet the resOlute hostility OF all the
most corrupt elements Of our politics, ana VIII be long
delayed even II II achieved But Gen Grant can
meantime, organizing ana getting INTO practical work
ing the machinery OF his administration, give the cOun
try the benefit OF all the best features OF such Civh
Service. and thus do more than can otherwise Dc done
towards e1graftng by law upon the Government ana
commencing n 70 the cordial approval aud support OF
the country. We hope ne will do IT, \. 1. Times.