The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-17
WEDNESDAY, MARCH II, 1869.
The Tennrc.ot.Omco Act.

aidering the Tenure0tOmoe ACT, paeeeu ny
the last Congress, which fOrbids the President
from making removals without assigning
cause. AS 1t seems TO be generally understood
that Grant intends to faithfully obey this law
as long as 1t remains upon the statute book
all the aspirants for sta ions now held by Au-
drew Jobnson's fsvorites unite in demanding
the removal OF this obstacle to their ambition;
for if no summary mode Of creating vacancies
is provided, there can be bat few new appoint
ments.
This pressure has evidently created a strong
disposition among large portion OF the
Senators to consent to mobilization OF the
law, and the Judiciary Committee has re-
ported a proposition that it be suspended
antil the next session OF Congress-" If this
policy be adopted, the President will have au
opportunity to dismiss all the obnoxious men
now in office; but after this work is accom-
plished, and q few 1eetiDg mouths have passed
by, the restrictions imposed upon Johnson
will be equally binding upon the present ad-
ministration.
The Democratic Senators advocate a total
repeal of the law, on the ground that it was an
unjust and unconstitutional restriction upon
Presidential power from the outset; and some
of the Republican Senators contend that as the
act was passed only to provide for special
emergency, it should be abolished now that
the emergency is over, and that man who
possesses the confidence Of the nation, inste I'd
of reckless recreant, is Installed in the White
House.
Other Senators assume loftier position.
They svow their Willingness to suspend the
aot for time, so that all barriers to the
speedy dismissal OF bad men in office may be
removed, but they contend that the Tenure
of.Ofice law only restores the correct inter
probation of the Constitution, and that it fur
nishes wise, just, aud necessary restriction
upon a power that has often been sadly
abused.
While we fully acknowledge the wisdom
and propriety of suspen ling the operation OF
the law for limited period, we cannot but
regard it as useful barrier against the
repetition of the frightful abuses which were
perpetrated by the last administration. One
of the ablest commentators on the COustitu-
tion expressed the opinion, while its adoption
was a debatsble question, that the provision
requiring the consent OF the Senate to new
appointment also required, by implication,
similar consent to removal and so strong
was this belief in the Senate, when the ques-
ton first practically arose during Washing
toms administration, by a removal without
cause, that half the members present endorsed
1t, the adverse view being adopted only by
the casting vote OF John Adams, who was then
Vice President, and cherished the anticipation,
which was subsequently realized, that he
would become Washington's successor.
Rven at that early day Alexander Hamil-
ton denounced the decision thus given, not
only because it violated the true principles OF
the Constitution, but because it would tend
to numberlsss evils, and exercise an insidious
influence over all the ramifcations of Ameri-
can government, by making even the election
of constables and justices of peace depend
upon national politics.
Many years elapsed before these predictions
were fully verified. Mr.. Davis stated in the
Senate yesterday that Jefferson had made but
about twenty removals, and that John Quincy
Adams had made but two. But since the elsc
tion of Jackson the doctrine that "to the
viotors belong the spoils' has been generally
accepted by all parties; and for the last forty
years the business ofthe Government has been
periodically deranged, an immense horde Of pro.
fessional ofiee-seekers and politicians have be.
come as hungry and as rapacious as wolves,
and the bitterness Of political contests has
been unnecessarily increased by the complics-
tion Of an infinite number of varied real or
supposed personal interests with grave ma
tional questions.
The practice of changing hundred thou
sand trained officials, for as many iguorant
ones, once every four years, and as much
oftener as q new whim seizss the occupant o.
the Presidential chair, is disreputable, de
merAlizing, and injurious to every substantial
interest. It generates a countless host O.
partisan Mioawbers, who abandon useful in
dustry in the hope that something may turI
up" to give them short lease Of office; i
deranges the public service; and while it sub
jects good President to pressure that ha
already proved fatal in several instances, i
gives bad one power that may be terribly
abused.