The New York herald., 1869-05-15

fact that those Senators who resisted the repeal OF
the civii service tenure failed to get their appoint
mehts anu nave gone home 10 their constituents
disappointed In their expectations; and expecfa-
uons, where they are centred upon getting once,
are the most stringent things IN the world.
IL was almost painful during the strife and struR-
gle for appointments thai followed the advent OF the
fresioeht 70 witness the chaern OF those who after
Walting paiienty Tor Jehns0ns exit found them
selves utterly poweress with his successor Some
OF them. In view OF their ll-success, finally aban-
doned personal solicitations and res0rted to the un
satisfactory alternative OF written recommendations,
which were equally unavaillng II requires but little
r 20 rerapua.e the consequences OF these an,
Toward circumstances. The member 10 dissatisfied
with the President the hitherto hopeful constituent
c0niesses 10 similar frame OF mind in regard to
MS representative, and the Inevitable demoraliza-
ton OF the party s the prospective solution OF this
vexatiOus problem
But underneath this combustible political strata
tnere IL noticeable element that partakes OF the
nature OF defiance. There are a few Of the braver
and more resolute class, who assume an air OF In
uineIence ana VINO profess to scout the idea or
possible dlsintegfatl0n ihey count with confidence
upon the TACT that the President not politician;
,Ha, ons nc sssen.s possesses Of the quaca
contest that may grow out OF prevalent
oissenslons They take 1t for granted that he does
not possess the tact To originate policy or TO con-
struct platform, in the event OF separation that
VIII attract the masses and commend itself to the
approval OF the popular voice; and in the enuncia-
ton OF such ideas it Is instructive to note the COIN
ciang tendency OF the sentiments Of democrats and
That the President is Indifferent to what is now
uansplring II we may Judge from the light rejected
AZ this point OF observation, is apparent. II is ques
lonaDe whether he studies with any show OF in
terest or perseverance the comments and criticisms
referring TO his official acts and It Is very doubtful
indeed whether he has seriously reflected upon the
Importance ol Shaping course that Will avoid the
reels upon which his not very diainteresed friends
are placing q great variety Of warning lights. His
policy In military tactics has been TO waif, 10 allow
the enemy TO make the most damaging and cOnspic-
uous demonstrations and eventually to take advan-
tage OF ms lndscretions. II may be that his prac-
yarU mo lV frnn rnat
wilcn he has learned In the fed that the policy he
aopls VIII be the suggestion OF the moment; that In
the course oil events, II lie finds himself menaced by
reckless hostility TO his administration, he will find
IL time enough 10 ''pusn things
one OIL the most fruitful causes OF discomfort with
members OF congress was his appointment or
Cabinet without calling 10 his aid the counses OF the
WISE and II Is to say the truth rare thing to hear
expressions OF approval from any source upon this
subject. The duplicated hOnors, 10 say nothing 0f
the prohts, conferred lpon Washburne are sharply
crlclsed not only for the reason that the selection
was lndscreet, Dut because his successor in the
stale Department has become the unfortunate In
heritor of embarrassing complications. However
there is manifest feeling OF forbearance in view Of
many embarrassing considerations, and we are COM
PEELED TO pay some heed TO remonstfances against
100 nasty Judgment In reference 10 his course upon
the subject or the recognition Of the beligerent rights
Of CUBA, 1t is maintained by some that we should
avoid the example OF England and not be tempted
into injustice which we could not approve, except
upon the questionable score OF retaliation. So too.
with regard TO our policy with Great Britain The
develop something practicable and tangible, and, in
the meantime. adherence TO dr. Summers ultimatum
and the avoidance of undue haste Is the suggestion
OF wisdom. II Is maintained that the Secretary
comprehends the importance Of our foreign policy,
ana that he VIII be equal to any emergency that may
ensue.
The absence Of Congress does not entirely relieve
the pressure for appointments. During the past
week the crowd OF applicants 10 have emerged
from some hiding place aud to have returned to the
siege with augmented numbers and vigor. Many
OF Them come with personal claims upon the secre-
prove more elfecual than tue la,terly repudated aid
OF The Congressional solicitors.
An almost alarming state Of things is noticeable
al the capital, which consists in the fact that our
departments are becoming asylums for eX.memDers
OF Congress and the relatives of sitting members.
In the Treasury an eS-membcr goes INTO a bureau
and takes hls family in with him. In the Post once
department there are similar examples aud the
commissioner OF Pensions Is an eX-member. Sen
ators' and Representatives sons are distributed
through the departments, and whenever a confrma
tion is wanted, other precarious event Is at
hand requiring Congressional sympathy, IL Is aston
snlng to notice with what facility these young men
get promotions.
During John Quincy Adams Presidential term an
inquiry was moved INTO the expectancy or amend
ing the constitution so as TO prevent the appoint
ment OF any member OF Congress TO any Federal
office Of trusf proht during Inc period for which
lie was elected, and an amendment was reported to
this eliect:--
No Senator Representative shall be appointed any
civil olce, place smonsn under the authority OF the
United States until the espaon OF the Presidential term
sentative.
In testing the question IL lacked three votes VI the
constitutional. number Tor referring 1t 10 the decision
Oi the States.
So long as members have The power OF amending
the constitution II will contain provisions restrict
ing their privileges whether they AFFECT themselves,
their children or most distant kindred. mOdifca-
ton OF the appointment system is the only cue
pracIces that are degrading alike 10 the government
and those who resort TO thein The unrestricted
OF the appointing power has made the departments
TO the interests and necessities Of Con-
gressmcn and the heads OF departments, ana the
suit Is that thereis tendency to monopOllze the
patronage for numerous favorites, who are not the
most efficient nor the most industrious class Of in
cumbens. II is claimed that this practice has the
force OF an illustrious example: but admitting this
Justification, IL Is UNJUST TO worthy and
needy eXpectants, unpopular with The people and
Improbable TO the government.
Talk, however as congressman may, about the re-
forms they intend 10 naugurate IL IL Idle to expect
refOrmatons any sincere effort In that direction
20 long as the power OF patronage can be made avail
able TO the interests aud necessities Of the who
seek To control II.