The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-11-23
Rough on Cameron.

1t TRANSFERRED at the October election in
Philadelphia, which, as all the world knows,
was conducted, under the supervision of 81.
mon Cameron, with such scrupulous honesty
and fairness as to excite universal admiration,
that the incumbent Postmaster of Philadel.
phia was elected to more lucrative local
ofice-that of registrar, we beieve-and that
therefore the office of postmaster of that vlr-
tuous city became vacant. Now it was one
OF Cameron's little arrangements, by which
he was materially aided in conducting SAID
election with such conspicuous honesty, that
a certain henchman of his-one Trueman by
name, who was mighty in the business of
Laying pipe" and spending money for the
"good cause" should succeed to the post
mastershlp. Accordingly, on the lapse of a
decent interval after the election-that is, one
day last week, the virtuous Simon, in accord.
ance with the previous understanding, deci.
ded to repair to Washington and have the
President r~tify his little arrangement in re-
gard to the succession to the Philadelphia
post office. To give the matter the greater
eclat, and to manifest forth more conspicu+
ously the greatness OF Cameron and the om-
impotence of his influence with the President,
he engaged for his trip special train, with a
Pullman palace Car, taking with him about
twenty of his leading creatures and toadies,
Including Gov Hartrauft, Mayor stokely,
district attorney Mann, &c. But imagine
Camerons "phelinx" when, at the head of
this formidable delegation, having proceeded
to the White House and made known his lit
tie demand, the "man Of destiny" and smoke
coolly told his mightness from Pennsylvania
that his demand could not be complied with,
as he, the "man Of destiny" &c, had made
up his mind to make the appointment in
question in accordance with the rules laid
down by the civil service commission, that
Is, that he would regard fitness rather than
claims arising from political services. sour
army swore terribly in Flanders" but it is
sad no modern language abouuds sufficiently
in objurgatory explosives to have enabled 81.
mon to do justice to the subject.
After all, there is no certainty but all this
might have been cooked up affair between
Cameron and the President for mere dramatic
effect; but :he meanest part connected with
1t Is, that now the New York Times, the
Erening Post, and the whole "loil" press of
the country is making 1t the occasion for
abusing poor Cameron, calling him all sorts
of bad names and accusing him of endless
rascalities, in spite of the brilliant service he
has done the party. Thus the Epening Post
That the President should consent to see
this scurvy delegation, with the rogue Cam
eron at their head, is only another proof of
his wonderful forbearance The time has
come when he and every other high officer
should cast of these pestiterous barnacles
that ellng to every successful party. They
are an impeachment to it, source Of corrup.
ton and weakness, and the disgrace and
degradation OF our whole system of practical
politics. We are indebted to it for the
weeds, Swecneys and Fentons of this state,
and tor the Camerons, Manns and Forneys OF
pennsylvania, who in themselves are men oil
little ability and less virtue, but who, by their
cunning and unscrupulousness ia pulling
wires, attain vaster influence than men Of
the most exalted capacity and character.
1t was mean enough to accept and profit
by Cameron's rascalities, but after enjoying
the fruits Of them thus to kick him off, is
suerly the essence of meanness.