Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-09-19
The Factions Opposition to the Mayors
appointments,


feared that one at least, personally a very ami
able gentleman, n 30 overcome with the thought
thaJ he was one OF the founders of the republic
can party, having attended its first convention
M his State and all his honors and Off ces having
come To him a. party man, that at least his
highest idea Of duty is adherence TO the party.
He thanks God that he is a genuine, original
abOltiOnist, and not as the greater number of re-
publicans of to-day, forced TO become friends of
the equal rights Of all men by the course of events
during the last few years. He knows nothing
but republican party. He thinks II Is positive
sacrilege for a man to carry slops for the cor
pOratiOn who is not sound IN his politics; and
without rigid examination into their repub
hcanism, 1t Is fatal stab at the yitals of the
party TO call men Of the most experienced med
zeal skill into the Board of Health, where, with
out pay for their services, they nav devise
me ans TO preserve the health of our city. Ii he
were m danger Of immedists death, he would,
relief from a doctor not sound in his republic An
ism, and thus, 20 the last mafn.ain the purity
OF the republican party 1t seems thai to 50
sitiOn of the Aldermen. though il Is feared that
part of IL has less creditabfe origin. How ut
terry weak is their defence Of their course.
They cannot themselves agree upon any stand
ard OF republicanism, unless ii be that citizen
OF Washington who has never voted for s. j. b
cannot possibly be a republican, and one Vino
has once voted for =. j. y. cannot possibly be
anything else, unless he toas one Of ne mos
dctire friendsR Nr Emsry during the late election
One THINKS that II is not enough that a man was
a member of the convention which nominated
President Lincoln, and has voted the ticket ever
since, or that the nominee is a cripple from
wounds received in the war tor the Union, and
has always voted the republican ticket-he must
now. He has heard whispers that he is not quite
sound, and In such An awful crisis As this il
might be fatal TO appoint such a man to sell
medicines TO the poor of Washington city; and
II Is fearful to think what ruin Ia the party and
the country might result from the appointment
OF scavenger or lamplighter whose political
record Is not certain Another issues his bull
declaring that no man who belongs 10 the secret
political society in this city, supposed 10 be
something like the old know-nothing order can
be republican, and must be rejected. They
agree, however, that William FORSYTH is a
Jieorg- W Hatton, or j. -. wilson
They admit that the Mayors inaugural was
sound, but say he has not been true To il. Let
me refresh their memories. He says in that all
dress "ln the conduct OF our city affairs, the
paving and lighting OF streets, the adminiStra-
ton OF Justice, the education of our children
ETC., As Eeu a. In their private business, many
oi our pest citlzens, when an agent il named to
carry their will are disposed to ask first of All
rs Ne honest, faithful and capable" They DO
not care 40 much to what political party he be-
longs, anu unless there are unsettled national
party questions which Immediately affect the
rights and privileges of our own citizens IL
would seem that national politics should not in
much the choice of proper agents to transact
our businenss. In this view rejoice in the re-
cent election as being something above mere
party triumph. 1t is the adoption of a SOUND
and wholesome principle Of action BY the neo-
pie of Washington" In this he, OF course refers
10 the union of men OF all parties for his election
and for reform. He then states in what has
republicanism consists and declares that he
has no political fayOrs TO bestow upon
men who do not accept these cardinal repub-
lican principles, and who seek TO make war
upon the vested and constitutional rights O! any
,f our citizens, and adds ~ fully concur in
The great settlement of rights now part of the
Constitution, and as fully concur in the state
nent that the attempt in this city by the use of
worn out political cries to keep alive the enmi-
hes originating in the contest over past issues
Ind BY party discipline 10 arrayOne race IN per
'etual and useless hostility to another, is an
insult to intelligence, and betrayal OF true
epU blican principles. j am equally opposed to
he attempt 10 form white mans party or a
black mans party. Both are alike uncalled
or and injurious TO the people,
These are sensible words, and well and faith
ully have they been carried out. Indeed, look
ng 70 the qualifications which come from edu-
cation and experience. he has given far more
new OF the number of votes they cast for him.
No man, so far a. the Mayor knows, has been
appointed who is not friend to them, and in
avor OF their equal rights, as the law provides.
IL any mistakes have been made, he is ready TO
correct them. His appointments have been
made in good faith to serve the interests of the
city and TO meet the great demand for economy
and reform, AID thus save Us from utter bank
Ward Commissioners, were selected from per-
ontu knowledge of their fitness, their skill and
capacity tor the duties Of the Office.
For the Board of Aldermen to use their power
II confirmation and rejection 10 dictate the
)olicy and nominations Of the Mayor or to pro-
cribe his friends, and to carry out narrow par |
Tented perversion Of that power. Itwas never |
L., 'hem 10 make wholesale reflections OF /
- ,osn n, such purposes. but was intended /
MY guard againss cas appointment. VI, Jus
lonest and incompetent officers. IL the CON
rming and appointing powers for any cause |
aDnot agree, then the Mayor must have the |
,0wer to I'LL all vacancies for the time being, or
lee the Offices must remain vacant whatever
injury may result TO the public, though the
Eheels Of government are thereby stopped and
erved right OF the people TO do whatever may
>e necessary for the public safety, or Congress
hall Judge US incapable Of self government and
Abolish the city charter.
Ire power Of the Mayor to I'LL vacancies by
appointments which holds good until the end or
he ensuing session Of the Board OF Aldermen is
perfectly clear. The Law fixes the session. 1t is
useless for Aldermen to talk OF violation Of law,
DR. hsrshnees, or disrespect to them. Their
course leaves the Mayor no choice but to assert
the rights and dignity Of his office, or desert his
Dnly by the will and pleasure of his opponents.
hey cannot be blind to the ruth that the great
body of the people regard the opposition in the
face Of the erwhelming popular vote as indicat-
L
not expect Mayor Emery to allow the Offices OF
the corporation TO remain vacant until the AL
der men can have the men they want, or until ali
the little bargains which men seeking office are
trying 10 make can be completed. They see
that If the Mayor cannot choose his officers he
cannot be held responsible tor q faithful execu-
tion Of the laws, and those who seek to embarass
bis administration by useless and factious oppo-
sicon must expect TO be regarded and treated
by the people as public enemies.
Cannot our Aldermanic friends see what the
Mayor has set forth in his address and which Is
Tie doctrine OF common sense, that there is no
Tor any narrow partisan government
In this city. We have no voice in the general
but are dependent upon Congress,
The sovereign power in the District. The politi-
cal complexion Of Congress Is liable 10 frequent
change, and from the dominant party therein
Tor the time being we must look for the protec-
lion OF our rights and that fostering care which
should be extended TO this city. We should not
unnecessarily take any extreme partisan atti-
tude, but rather adopt the true liberal republican
principles which i have quoted from the MAYORS
address. The proscriptve, bigoted spirit which
some who take pride In calling
themselves radical republicans, but who are NOT
true republicans, Ia defeating the party wher-
ever II controlsi In this city, where there Ia lea
call FOR strict party lines than anywhere else in
the country, Mr.. Emery and his friends have
rescued the republican party from the hands of
these men who would have brought overwhelm-
ing defeat upon 1t, and placed it upon true
The penpia yeouira that ooo1 ~,a .o..Ii.