The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-22
MOVEMENTS
OPINIONS
AND

Tne "GeneraI Order'' Plun6er-Wili There
be n Whitewashing COmmittees
INC chicago Tribune makes the following cheer
iui reference to what IL calls 1.-THE General order
scandal" In regard TO which some OF our readers
are no doubt somewhat familiar:-
One Of The most Migrant blossoms OF what Sena.
tor morton calls "the best civil service In the
world" IS the New York Custom House. with Its
countless combinations Tor swndlng both the
merchants and the government VI these, one OF the
most outrageous and which has continued
under the present administration, Is the General
Order business OF George X. Leet and his conlede.
rates.
The Tribune recapitulates the history OF the rise
and progress OF the business, and continues
Such is the history OF the course Of the present
administration In the correction Of most nOto-
rlOus aOuse OF federal power. resulting In unques-
toned damage 10 the business OF the country, and
scandal TO the great party which 10 made TO father
the wrong. 1t has been stated In the Senate that
George X. Leet, the principal OF tine blackmailing
General Order concern, was formerly cOmrade OF
to senator Scnurz's statement in the senate. went
to New York with letters to Grnnell, as soon AZ the
this General Order concern, which Is nothing more
nor less than shameless levy OF toll or Diacknal
upon the commerce VI the country. the democrats
are d0uOtesS rejoicing already over the line argyll
mentS af10rded them by the apparent dcterInina-
ton OF the caucus faction In the senate 10 head OF
all Investigations or the corrupt uses OF political
patronage Nor Will the popular Inconsistencies
now thoroughly aroused be aayed Dy the tactics OF
Mr. COnkllng IN the Senate, the OBVIOUS intent OF
which Is TO procure q embarrassing committee for
the Custom House and make ieint OF conceding
full lnveSl gatlOn
The Boston republicans are evidently determined
not to let the Tammany niquiiies be Offset by any
alleged abuses the part OF the admlnstra.
ton II they nep 1t. Hence the course they have
taken upon the SUBJ ct above referred TO.
The New civil Service.
From the Philadelphia Press rerublican, Dec. 81.
When President Grant, under the act OF March 8,
1871, appointed a commission to prepare set OF
rules lOr the reformation OF the civil service Of The
United States and the Improvement OF the standard
OF minor officials II was expected tnat their laD0rs,
While accomplishing the desired object, would
result IN series OIL regulations emnently practical
and easy Of adoption. Their report, submitted TO
Congress on Tuesday, meets all the requirements,
and will doubtless end Sue agitation on the subject.
the system suggested II vigorously enforced-and
there - every guarantee In the Presidents past
record that such Will be his DOllcy-will put stop
TO the dlsgraceu scramble Tor office, even II II does
not altogether eradicate from our politics the
American idea that ITO the victor belongs the
spOil."
From the Albany Journal republican,, Dec. 2OI
While theorists have been discussing the matter
and considering how II can be MADE practlcal, we
stand Oh the very verge or the inauguration OF the
great reform through the resolution and action OF
the President HIMSELF He undoubtedly has the
power The constitution vests the authority OF
appointment In him. IL rests In his own discretion.
He oil his own vOlitlOn adopt the plan of making
appointments upon the certificate OF q board OF ex.
amIners and That Is what he proposes 10 do In any
event. But ne asks LEGISLATION from Congress in
order that the new system may nave the sanction or
the law-maKlng power, and may acquire
authority and force which Will be binding upon MS
successors.