The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-28

Here the rot is showing itself in the branches.
Besides, what is q guarantee worth when by
q little dexterous stock manipulation Gas in
the case of the Pennsylvania sinking fund
and poor Miss Briggs, who lends all her
money to Colonel Crawley and is gratefully it
is, after time, modified or relinquished? New
Jersey is very well ont of the scrape.
FORNEY IN THE CUSTOMS.
From the Harrisburg Patriot.
To silence the grumblings of the Press
about Summers removal, San Domingo au-
nexstion and other blunders in the admins
trstion policy, Grant has nominated John w.
FoIney for Collector of Customs at Philadel-
phia, and Forney, as was anticipated has
promptly accepted. He, in fact, lost no time
In giving notice of his entire willingness to
serve his country, for fear of q change in the
Presidential bumor. When so many are
clamoring for an office delays are dan
gerous, and it will not do to be too coy about
spatching the prize. Forney is too sturdy a
place-hunter to let such gift as the control
of the Philadelphia Customs slip through his
fingers If he has sometimes aspired to
higher things, he has often shown his willing
ness to accept much humber positions.
Grant committed political blunder in in
sulting Sumner, but he is doing what he can
to retrieve his position by purchasing Sum-
ner's toadies. He knew Forney's price, and
has paid it without much biggling. But poor
situation as the Philadelphia Custom House
is to a man of Forney's ambition, it is yet
more than his political influence is worth.
His power as politician has long since
reached zero in Pennsylvania. He is in
the confidence of neither the Curtin nor
Cameron faction, and has few followers any
where. For long time the enemy of Came
ron, and the vindictive assailant of his per-
sonal character, Forney suddenly became his
servile adherent, and now fiatters the man
whom he was accustomed to revile. The ene-
mics of Cameron in the Curtin faction were
indignant at Forney's conduct, and learned to
despise him as thoroughly as the Cameron
faction distrust him.
Forney's design of playing the Douglas
game of 1858 over again with Sumner for a
hero WAS manifest enough. If he deceived
himself by an apparent analogy in the two
cases, he made very common mistake of
politicians. His growls about Summers re-
moval were not so fierce as to cause Grant to
close the door of conciliation. He roared at
him as gently Snug, the joiner. Grant
took the hint, and graciously came forward,
after consulting Drexel and Borie, and clapped
ForDey in the Custom House to shut his
mouth. Grant has enough experience in the
world and in human nature to know that the
hungry fellow is the true revoutionist.
politician with his belly full of meat seldom
is known to strike.
Mr.. Buchanan might have appeased Forney
in the same way in 1853, but his mbition
then caused him to aspire to first-class mis-
sion or place in the Cabinet. There was a
negotiation about printing job in Washing
ton, but that was permitted to fall through,
end Forney revolted. By dexterously making
use of the potent name of Douglas, and
availinR himself of all-pervading popular
sentiment against slavery extension, he
managed to impress the Republicans with an
idea Of his Importance, and as reward OBJ
tanned what they had to bestow-the clerk
ship of the House of Representatives.
With all his lofty aspirings for political
honors, Forney has shown a commendabe
readiness to take whatever he can get when
the pinch comes. At one time the rival of
| Cameron for seat in the Senate of the
United States, he subsided to the clerkship
| of the House. At another time a candidate
for the highest positions in the gift of Presi-
| dent Lincoln, he conteuted himself with the
| office of Secretary of the Senate, which he
did not give up until his virulent abuse OF
distinguished Senators rendered it no longer
tenable. But little while ago hopeful
sspiIant for the position of Postmaster
General of the United States, he comes down
to the collectorship of the customs
in Philadelphia, which Grant su
perciliously filings to him. Such al
Office in New York, or Boston, or New Orleans
means something. But he is collector in
large city with no or little commerce The sail
that be may count in the harbor are for tht
most part coasting vessels which bring no re-
ceipts. Philadelphia is big town, but tn,
collecting of its customs is not big Office
1t will do well enough for Forney. But if h
and any of the mousing politicians of Phila
delphia imagine that they can exercise an,
power to control or check the mighty popula
revolution that is approaching, the near futur,
will show how ridiculous is their estimate o
their own influence Forney may betra.
Sumner to Grant and Cameron, but the polti
cal fates will not be appeased by any offering
which they may bring to the altar. 1t is al
the same whether Forney goes to the custom
house or to - San Domingo.
CHICKENS COMING HOME TO ROOST