The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-01

fornia. and the neighboring gold-bearing States,
NV the removal of the operative officers of the
Rrancb Mint at San Francisco. The Chamber
of Commerce, composed of the most influential
and prominent gentlemen of San Francisco has
memoralized the President, urging him to with
hold the commissions of the newly-appointed
officers which he has done; so that for the
nresent. the old officers at that important
branch of the National Mint will continue to dis
charge their respective duties. The policy of re-
moving intelligent skilled, and faithful opera
tive officers in the Mint and its branches is
fraught with evil and nothinge else In this opinion
nine-tenths of our best citizens, without distinc-
ton of party. agree. The scientific and me
chanical operations connected with the coming
of money are of too important and delicate
nature to be entrusted to new hands at every
turp of the political wheel. At the Mint in this
city there has been, with but one or two eXcep-
tions, no change in the operative officers, except
by death or resignation, since its establishment
by law in April, 1892. The same may be said
of the branch at San Fran
cisco until the recent wholesale
removal, which embraces in its sweep one or
two officers who have been officially connected
with it since its organization The citizens OF
California seem fully aroused to the danger that
threatens, and is almost sure to tollow-if not
Immediately, at some future time-from this in
novation upon the safe and well-established Gus
tom that has hitherto prevailed. Their protest
and appeal is earnest, and we hope may effect
not only its immediate object, but serve to
awaken and direct public attention to the
supreme Importance of elevating, rs far as may
be possible our national mints out of the rota-
ton policy which has of late years. unfortu-
nately, become the rule of political action.
The importance of preserving the character of
eur coinage must convince every rejecting man
that if we must throw all our other offices into
the whirlpool of political strife, rs rewards for
party service, our Mints at least should be kept
aloof. AS all the patronage of these institutions
resides by law in the superintendents, who are
the executive officers, it may be, and doubtless
is, proper, that they should represent the polit-
cal views of the administration in power, so
that the minor appointments may be given,
when it can judiciously be done, to its party
friends. But it should never go beyond this.
These observations are made from a deep
sense of the importance of the subject, and as
the result of conversation had a day
or two since with very intelligent gentleman
from the Pacific coast, who has been long
familiar with our mints, and who states that
he is convinced the feeling in California is
almost unanimous in opposition to the removal
of the officers before referred to, whom he
characterizes as excellent gentlemen, as well as
skilled and faithful officers. The removal
of these gentlemen, and the appoint
ment of their would-be successors, was
doubtless accomplished in the whirl and
excitement of the closing days of the Execu-
pf tha af atul,aY, fI,o
President and heads of departments were per-
fectly overwhelmed by the rush of "place-
hunters" We cannot bring ourselves to believe
that it was done after mature deliberation. If
on the contrary, these valued and trusted Off
GERS were knowingly removed, then we must
say that the advisers of the President are in
entire ignorance of the aims and purposes of the
intelligent and controlling element of the Re-
publican party. We claim to be great pro-
gressive party with noble aims and praiseworthy
purposes, and we cannot afford to belittle our
professions and stultify our declarations by
ignoring eminent fitness, long service, and lofty
integrity in these offices of peculiar trust
and hand over to the politicians
as legitimate party spoils, places o
sacred trust, which even Andrew johnson, il
his wicked apostacy, had not the courage TO lay
his hands upon. The intelligence, virtue, ant
manhood of the Republican party protes
against the whole thing The applicants TO
these California offices or their friends doubt
less trumped up charges of ''sympath,
with Johnson" or 'want of hearty sym
pathy with the Republican party Thes
charges are easily made, and indeed ar
the common stock in trade OF hunters for oflic
at the present time, who do not hesitate oft
times to denounce men ''whose shoe latchet
they are unworthy to loose All this is dc
plorable and demoralizng, and those in powe
should see that honorable men ar
not stricken down by falsehood and slar
der. To General Grant and his Cabint
the country looks with confidence. Mi
takes of the kind herein referred TO are doubtle
unavoidable, and yet we have felt it a duty
direct attention to it, so that healthy publ
sentiment may be permitted TO manifest itsel
Being in entire ignorance of the influences tn
produced the result that has been so much d
plored, no reflections are intended, of course,
be cast upon any particular person. From Pr
sident Grant, and Mr.. Boutwells well-knoV
desire to promote the best interest of the publ
service. there can be no doubt that if mi
take has been made, they regret 1t as much
any member of the San Francisco Chamber
Commerce. The President has shown this
his prompt assent to their wishes, and we ho
he may see his way clear to restore the old OF
GERS to full possession of the places they have
long held with honor 10 themselves and adya
tage to the Government
ADVICE TO WoULD-BE CRININALs.-f "
think of becoming rogue, and intend TO live
Philadelphia and practise your profession
come burglar q good theft gambler or