New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-08-24
REFORM IMPOSSIBLE WITH GRAYE.

REFORM IMPOSSIBLE WITH GRANT
Nearly all the Grant organs have ceased adj
vocating the claims of their candidate on the
score of his labors in the cause of Civil Ser
yice Reform. The effort has become too
absurd, in view of his daily walk and CONVEX
sation. Only one paper, 1heJournal Of Ciuilisa-
ton. unconscious of its forlon isolation, still
bleats placidly its confidence and trust in the
President as a Reformer. 1t begins to admit
he has done little to prove his devotion to the
cause of Reform, but it processes to believe be
has q bOundless reserve of good intentions,
which. sooner or later, will blossom into deeds.
1t does not see, what is patent to every one
else. that President Grant not only cares
nothing for Reform, but that he is absolutely
incapacitated from doing anything in that
direction, no matter how earnestly he might
desire it. He has entered upon campaign
which involves not only his own retention OF
place but the very existence of the corrupt
cabal which has gained control of him. If he
fails in November, not only he, but Cameron
in PENNSYLVANIA, Morton in Indiana, Chandler
in Michigan, and the swarm of carpet-baggers
in the South, must also fail with him. They
are fighting as much for their own sakes as
for him, and will not permit him, now or in
future, to try any experiments with the Gov
eminent which shall diminish their means of
working.
The fact is that, in spite Of the Presidents
professions of Civil Service Reform, there has
never been an election in which the whole
power of the Government was so devoted to
the work of continuing an Administration III
power. Every Department in Washington is
laid under contribution. The clerks are forced,
by requests which are commands from their
official superOrs, to contribute portion of their
salaries to the Grant corruption fund. Money is
extorted from every oflice-holder in the country.
The Post Offices and Custom-houses are re-
mOrselessly worked by committeeman, to the
full extent of their capacity. Not only are
contributions in money extOrted, but the paid
servants of the Government are openly set to
doing the work of partisan committees. A
force of clerks is engaged day and night in
Washington in packing, mailing, and forging
the franks of members of Congress to bun
dies of documents advocating the perpetual
ton of the present Administration. The Lou
isville Convention, if il ever meets, will have
been set on foot, carried through, and paid
for out of the Grant treasury. Every ad-
this year will have the satisfaction of know
ing that large portion of his money goes to
defeat his desires and sustain the corrupt
power he opposes.
If this scheme should succeed, and Grant
be elected, the pretense of reforming the Civil
Service would be at once given up. Not only
would lie owe his own election to a shameless
and outrageous defiance of the rules he has
made Mr.. Curtis believe he favors, but even if
he should wish to stop there and sin no more, it
would be out of his power. His triumph
would involve that of the most eminent
rogues in American politics, and they would
never allow him to adopt a policy which
would loosen their hold upon the throats OF
the pockets of their constituents. Would
Kemble and his friends think less Of the ad-
vantages of Addition, Division, and Silence
than now if they were given the control of
Pennsylvania Would Hartranft be any more
decent in his scoundrelism after his naked
infamy had been seen and approved by
the vote of his State7 Would Cameron
turn reformer when his fright had given
way to the exultation of victory2 In every
other State, the same impOssibility is seen of
any reformation after the election of Grant.
He purchased the support of Gen. Logan in
Illinois, by giving him the disposal of the
Offices in that State. Does any one suppose
he will take them back again from that grasp
ing and vindctive politician7 Senator Car
penter, who despises and boots at Reform,
is laboring to save Wisconsin to Grant 7
If he does it, will Grant refuse to let
him have his way with the Offices Gen. But
Ter and Mr.. Dana are both supporting him in
Massachusetts. 1t requires no gift of prophecy
to decide which of the two would have most
to say in regard to appointments there. In
Indiana fight is going on where all the re-
sources of corruption and fraud are brought
into play by the men whose political existence
depends on the favor of Senator Morton.
If they should buy or steal that State,
Oliver p. Morton, and not Mr.. Curtis,
would say what should be done with |
the Government service within its borders
The prospect for Reform in New-York might
be inferred from the fact that Thomas Muir
ply is Gen. Grants especial friend and rep
and Thurlow Weed has given to |
the party its nominee for Governor. In tho |
South, of course. everything Is infinitely |
worse, The election of Grant would mean |
the justification of murder and violence as in |
Arkansas, of usurpation "a in Louisiana, of |
legislative grand larceny as in South Carolina,
of fraud and theft everywhere. vvc w.frg |
A Grant paper in this city Is fond Of quot |