The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-13

tory OF this country q fercer political contest.
But for this, probably, Jackson would not
have been President second term. II was
this that rallied the people to him and re-
elected him. Grant occupies similar posi-
tioD, and, II we mistake not, has the same sort
of stuff In him that Jackson had. So these
Presidential aspirants of tbe Senate-this oil
garoby and political riDg-msy overreach
themselves, and by their hostility to Grant
may reflect him in 1872.
But, besides this political view of the situs-
tion, there is another one which affsots this
very constitution and practice Of the Govern
ment. The difficulty about Mr.. Stewart, as
we intimated, was mere accident and side
Issue. 1t served, however, to show the dispo-
sition Of the Senate, and afforded an opportu-
nifty to manifest the disapprobation of that
body to General Grants independent course.
He had not taken his Cabinet from their poll
tical ring and had not consulted them even as
to whom he should select. This was terrible
blow to the old system of political m anage-
ment. II seriously offended them. But the
real issue Is on the Tenure of Office Law, and
involves struggle between the Executive aud
the Senate for he power and patronage of the
Government. On this issue the popular branch
OF Congress got with the President, as We have
seen in the overwhelming vote by which 1t
passed the resolution to repeal the Tsnure-of-
Office act. The reason for the action of the
House Is apparent. That body, in the bitter
fight with President Johnson, and for the pur-
pose Of tying his hands, passed the act in
question, and thus surrendered, unthink-
ingly, perhaps, the whole patronage of the
Government to the Senate. Before this law
was made, and throughout all the previous
history, the members Of the House had good
deal to say in the distribution Of offices. Every
Pre- side mt had deemed it proper to consult
their wishes and to appoint to office their con-
stituents. Now, however, Senators have ab-
sorbed the power over Government patronage,
more even than the President himself pos
sesses; for he cannot remove from Office with
out the consent of the Senate. The House has
reason to repent OF its action and to be almost
unanimous for the repeal Of the obnoxious
law.
Thus, then, the principle, theory, and prac-
tice of the Government have been changed.
The President is reduced to cipher aud the
mere instrument Of the Senate, and the direct
representatives of the people have neither
directly nor indirectly any control over the
offices or patronage. The Government has
become an olgarehy composed of few poll
ticians or ring in the Senate Chamber. This
is q singular and grave state of things. Nor
does there appear to be any way of reaching
the evil. We see that Senators cling tens-
ciously to the power and privileges they have
| acquired. 1t will be hard to wrest these from
| them. They form a close body and hold their
position for long term. While they endeavor
| to make it appear that they are not opposing
the President or the will Of the people, they
| can, by parliamentary tactics, stave off any
action on the Tenure. OF. Office act; and this,
probably, they will do. What is President
Grant to do under the circumstances II he
should yield to the usurpations Of the Sena-
torial ring he will be lost. HIS only chance
is to be firm, use all the power he possesses
to break mp the political oligarchy, rally all
| the conservative elements of the country to
his support and lay the foundation of great
party for the future. That appears to bs the
only solution, and he has strength enough, il
he knows it, to carry out.