Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-18
A spesch by General Grant.

II seems that General Grant can make a
speech after all. That's to say the real General
Grant has an advantage over the General Grant
OF popular tradition, similar TO that claimed by
Mark Twain over the father of his country.
General Washington, according to his own
statement, II correctly reported, could not tell
lie, while Mark claims tina. he can, but won't.
Even Ga. Grants capacity TO make effective
eleytouecring speeches cannot any longer be
successfully denied, but he, unlike his competi-
tor, defers them until after the election. He
has lately made very good one in Washington
in response to the request Of Pennsylvania
delegation, that he should appoint one Truman,
postmaster at Philadelphia. The story was
briefly told in cur Washington dispatches on
Saturday. Senator Cameron, Gov. H1rtranit
and other Pennsylvania notlbles were among
the company who made the rcq lest, which seems
to have been quite IN the customary line
and reasonable enough, as such things 70,
or have teen in the habIoi goIag. Mr. Truman
was recommended as capable and deserving
man, and especially as an efficient political
worker, to whom, noticeably among others, the
great republican victory in his state was due.
To this personal recommendation it was signif-
cantly added by the spokesman of the party that
the president was himself greatly indebted to
the state of Pennsylvania, with hint that he
could not afford to disregard the wishes of the
gentlemen before him, representing the republi-
can party OF that state, which had not, in the
speakers opinion, much regard for the civil
service rules. According to the general practice
nj fba C,ry
request would have been granted almost of
course. Some difficulty seems to have been
anticipated in this case, however, or so many
important persons would hardly have taken the
trouble to present themselves in Washington to
attend TO so simple matter Of business. If
they had misgivings, the event proved that there
was reason for them, for the president replied to
their address as follows:
81 do not we'll see how it would be proper for
me 10 set aside the rules and regulations OF the
civil service commission. [ some time AFRO
determined to enforce those regulations on every
proper occasion. What have we here2 There
are two candidates presented, both republicans;
one OF them, Mr. Fairman, has been an empoye
Of the Philadelphia post Office for some time
and am satisfied he is fully competent to dis
charge the duties of postmaster If was dis
posed TO set aside the civil service rules and 20
outside. might appoint Mr.. Truman, but can
not consclenuously do this"
The correspondent of the New York Tribune
describes this as "the most surprising and effec-
tive speech ever listened to by the gentlemen
present." and we are inclined for once to agree
with the Tribune's estimate of a speech of Gen.
Grant. The delegation, we are told, had moth
ing to say in reply and departed for Philadelphia
on the first train, very much disappointed and
chagrined. Some of the younger men declared
that Gen. Grant was getting 10 "put on airs"
meaning, we suppose, that he preferred to per-
form the dulies imposed upon him by the laws
and the choice of the people, rather than to dele
gate them to a seliappointed committee of
Pennsylvania politicians. There is no doubt
that he will do this, and our Pennsylvania
friends may as well make up their minds to it
and bear their sorrow with such equanimity
as they can command. 1t is not quite four
years since another PENNSYLVANIA, who has of
late been an ardent champion OF Mr.. Greeley
and civil service reform, had a similar interview
with the president from which he departed in
much the same frame Of mind as that in iuced
in these afflicted politicians. Colonel Mcclure
then ventured 10 urge upon the president an
appointment with the reminder that the voice
Of Pennsylvania must be needed in such mat
tiers. When the president assured him that be
must make these appointments on his own re-
spoasb.A,y and not in obedience to anybody's
dictation, the Colonel thought that General
Grant was putting on airs" What Pennsyl-
vau.4 thought Of Colonel Mcclure and bis
grievance NAV be inferred from her majority