Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-07-26


left as the Administration managers direct. There
are exceptions, thereare white crows-but they
feW Whatever legislative scheme the Administra-
ton may set up by whatever means of partisan
tyranny In caucus or in Congress the opposition of
troops can be counted on. They faithfully aid the
Administration IN governing the country, IN gov
ernlng you For that they receive their patronage,
and by that patronage the Administration aids and
sustains them in their States. They distribute the
offices among their retainers who are equally faith
full Thus they organize their home forces through
whom they rule the party at home These forces
at their service and through them at the service
of the Administration. Thus this system furnishes
votes in Congress, delegations to National Conven-
lions boiling over with enthusiasm for the renemi-
nation of the President and it is expected to furnish
electoral votes TO continue him in power suspect,
however, it will not furnish enough. In the mean
time carpet bag government, sustained by the pat
of the ruling party. Justify plies its trade and fills its
pockets and you honest Republicans wonder why
the Republican ticket.
RECONCILIATION IMPOSSIBLE UNDER THE PRESENT
DIsPENsATIoN.
But to me this seems certain; as long as party as
tendency is maintained by such means, as long as
party selshness stands in the way honest govern
ment, as long as the national power appears the
ally and abettor of corruption and robbery in the
South, that hearty reconciliation, that universal
restoration of cordial feeling which this country
stands much in need of and which every patriotic
cannot and will not come. As long a system pre-
walls which sacrifices the welfare OF a part OF the
people on the altar OF party advantage, we shall be
not from such sources that affection springs.
l should be the last man to excite such
dstrust, and may say without boasting that have
done my share to remove it. And having done this,
may throw the responsibility for the failure upon
the accomplishment of the high objects for which
that power should have been directed. charge the
Administration and those who control the Republic
party that by their partisan seltshness they
have shown themselves utterly unit to encourage
and develop the good impulses slumber1ng in the
thorn
National reconciliation. that thus far they have
disappointed the hopes and forfeited the confidence of
the American people, and that the they WELD has
become barren of good and fruitful of danger in their
hands.
NEPoTISM OTHER SERVICE
The partisan selshuess which sacrificed the great OPP
portunity of renatonaZfng the South has shown its
evil tendency less garngly upon another field The
people looked this Administration for thorough
form of the abuses which had crept into the public
service. Corrupt and unworthy officers had to make
way for better men. Public servants to be made
that the interests of the people should be the
highest object their action that Republic they
their undivided devotion and their best efforts.
from their office beyond the strict allowance Of the law
expected of the President that he would inspire ali with
his example. The first period of the Administration,
employed provision for relatives and personal
humiliation, we should be glad to forget remember
ing only the many good appointments that
the beginning. But the disgrace of a nepotism more
scandalous than anything this Republic knows Of ne
opinion of the chief magistrate he might without i'm
pr0prety, exhaust his official opportunities to make
himself and his knsolk comfortable, was followed by
practices directly touching the character and n
of embezzement, defaication fraud, and down
right thcvery. which occurred under this Administra
ton, and the number and magnitude of which, they
accumulated, have startled the axpaying people. There
were things more deeply affecting our public morals
Will give instance characterizng the practice The
President, who in his inaugural address had promised
Of the people fell in love with scheme which he ur-
sued much longer than necessary convince any
OF the people.
THE sANIo DOMINGO scHENE-GRAvE CHARGES AGAINST
PRESIDENT.
mean the acquisition of santo Domingo. He pledged
himself through his aide camp and it may worthy
of note that here for time the Presidents aides
de camp appear diplomatic agents of the United
sates the President say pledged himself through his
aide de camp to the ruler of SantO Domingo privately TO
his influence in order that the idea of annextng the
Dominican Republic to the United states might acquire
such degree OF popularity among the members OF Con-
might be necessary for its accomplishment. 1t
pledge reasonable doubt that he lived
and it is no secret in Congress circles that
popular among members OF Congress, the patronage
heer reasaHs for # tban mere s1spic"n # has e
quentIy been charged that would not have made opro
stion to President Grant could have had all the pat
ronase wanted l never noticed the assertion, but
the same charge as ne Is reported TO nave GONE IN an
interview recently published, feel compelled to make
have withheld. when the santo Domingo scheme was
pending two gentlemen III somewhat intimate relations
the White House, each separately
soliciting my support to the project, and telling that
the President In January last having been sandereS
by the Administration press and tainted the floor
inquired Of one OF those gentlemen whether his remarks
concerning the Santo Domingo scheme and the patronage
were authorized by the President l quote the
language at his reply, referring to this subject
Regarding the conversation you refer in your note
Iremember it with the knowledge and consent
after had conversation with him THE President thai
Of Ny impression at this time is that the President
could be obtained. do remember any particu
and would hazard doing injustice by attempt
ing to quote from memory, but the impression made
upon my mind by the interview was fixed ana DISTINCT
This statement seems to indicate that 1 had
had concluded the President at tue expens
of nay convictions OF duty If one of us was in tn
ried, Others be better able to tell than myself
form when the nomination for the Presldentia
term became a matter of urgent interest.
CIVIL SERVICE REFoRM AND COLLECTOR CASEY.
In the mean time the demand for Civil Service Reform
had arisen with singular force from the people, AM
found voice in the press the floor of Congress
It threatened to become popular cry and could mo-
with safety be .dsregarded. The President took up
and reform promised. commission appointed
array of rules and regulations drawn up tn
| reform was solemny and with grand flourish an
noeo5 OF he CQ ey Gen F Bne i o0e
the Presidents fastest friends declared that Civil
Prise ne for this Civil Service Reform Certainly
great aa npm0 s as en Butler can n make IT. show
when the Civil Service of the. country wa
| more completely political machine than
| is nowq Does he remember time when tn
| service appeared more like thoroughly drille,
and disciplined organization of political agents than tO
dayf Does he remember time within the whole rang
Of his recollection T1en he Public interest was NOR
time the President, forced by the public voice
make show of deceDcy, permitted il to out that hi
brothernlaw Casey, the Collector of Customs at
Orleans, VIGOROUSLY of the officers in tn
service had been requested resgn The heart tn
country touched by SO unheard0f a thing as tn
dismissal of brotherin law 1t was Joyous surprise
n nDfh 0u
that nothing was impossible for, as to make merry
public, days afterward ii announced tina
delegation of politicians from Louisiana had urgently
requested the President to retain his brotheraw Case
office President suceumbed. course without
struggle for he has policy to enforce against the vii