The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-09
SPIRIT or THE PRESS.
EDITORIAL OPINIONS or rHS LEADING IovRHALs
uPoE ouRRRST roPros-coMPnKD EVERY
DAY FOR tbs WvSgING TE1BeRAPH
The PolItIcIans ana the Cabintt.


nav Cabinet are precisely the cOnsiderauons
which make it satisfactory to the main D0ay
Of the people. The politicians regard coldly,
II not with dislike, the application OF prln-
oipls which exscts capacity, integrity, EN-,
oiency, instead of mere party prominenee and
zeal. But in this principle the people see
guarantee of the purity and economy, the
reduction Of expenditures oonourrently with
an increased pr oduotiveness of the revenue,
which, above all things, the country needs
Whether the personnel of the Cabinet re-
main unchanged or not, nothing is more GER
tain than the completeness with which 1t re-
fleets the purpose of the President. In this
light. the persons selected are less suggestive
than the qualities which obviously governed
their selection. There may be declinations
amor o them from one cause or another, but
the fact is established that General Grant will
have for his chief assistants only those who
are untainted with the triokery and corrup-
tion which are the bane OF contemporary
nolitios The special fitness of this member
of the Cabinet or that for the position as
signed him, is matter about which opinions
honestly differ But the trustwOrthiness and
general ability Of every member even the
politicians have not ventured to deny. They
doubt the partisan proftableness of the course
pursued, but the keenest-eyed critic has
failed to detect a flaw in the individual char
soters which should abate the confidence felt
by the people in the action Of the President.
The nominations for the Treasury and the
Interior Department especially indicate the
soundness of the judgment he has formed in
regard to public requirements. These are
the departments whose organization and
management most directly concern domestic
interests. In practical importance the opera
tions of the Treasury and the policy by
which they are regulated exceed those Of
all the other departments. There, If any
where, the sagacity of General Grants
choice will be tested. For, in existing cir
sumstances, the head of the Treasury has
other duties than those of ordinary admins
trations. he must have the courage and
dexterity of a reformer as well as the skill
and industry of mere administrator. The
department passes under his control reeking
with corruption. II has host of servants
whose mingled incompetency and rascality
entail the loss of more than a hundred mil
lions annually. So far as the law will admit
of it, this rottenness must be removed, and
aoapable ard faithful service organized in its
place.
The advantage gained is equally strong
when we approach controverted topics of tax
alton and finance. One set of fault-fnders
complain that the inaugural message pro-
pounds NO theory Of resumption, and fore
shadows no plan for paying the ma
tional debt. The country does not
desire theorizpg or legislation OF the kind
which those who ride hobbies always advocate.
1t wants just what General Grant suggests
the application of common sense and business
tact to affairs which, thus aided, time will
gradually adjust with certainty which NJ
legislation could attain.
Industry and commerce are sensitive upor
these subjects. They have suffered seriously
since the close of the war from the meddltnf
of the Treasury and the vacillation of Con
gress. Attempts to hurry back specie pay
ments have been productive only OF disaster
haot 20 fho 6aht hafa otY1rf fty l.
necessitated oppressive taxation. There hai
been nothing like fxedness or intelligent effor
In the matter; and from continual uncertainty
everybody has suffered. The course indicated
by the President will obviate these difficulties
and so create feeling of confidence by which
all will be benefited. 1t establishes two points
"a firm resolve to dc nothing injurious to the
public credit and disposition so to foster
trade and develop the resources OF the country
that the currency shall be gradually appre-
ciated without res0rtiDg to contraction.
Gen. Grant means that the finances and trade
of the country shall be cared for by one whose
character lifts him, head and shoulders, above
the crowd of noisy politicians, and whose
practical knowledge enables him to uphold
the public credit while averting the folly Of
hssty resumption.
The selection of General Cox for the Interior
department reveals in smaller degree pur-
pose to purge the administration of the Gov
ernment OF the impurities which have grown
around it. The control of Indian affairs will
enable the Secretary to inaugurate reforms
that will have the double Recommendation oi
retrenohment and humanity. His political
alliance, are perhaps stronger than those OF
any other member OF the Cabinet, with the
exception of Mr.. Creswell or Mr.. Washburne
but the fact that he was not the nominee o.
politicians, in conjunction with his high char
acter, justiies the belief that partisan reasons
will not greatly influence his conduct.
The stern estimate of duty which has gov
erned General Grants choice, and has die
tated the rule by which any other nomination
will doubtless be regulated, may not be with
out occasional disadvantages. The partisan
ship which chafes under indifference may b
expected to assert itself when opportunit
offers. The unwillingness of the Senate T.
repeal the Tenure-of- Office act is not destitut
of significance in this connection. Mr.. Sum
nsr's objection to immediate compliance wit
the Recommendation in Mr.. Stewards favo
should scarcely be imputed to the sam
motive, for the Importance of the plincipl
involved may well excuse the reference to
committee; but it is not probable that partisa
feeling will show itself in the final decision
As against these drawbacks, the PresideI
may place the confidence which the princip
he proceeds upon will awaken in the nation
mind, and the more than partisan strengt
which that confidence will confer.