The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-06-22

Insisting upon the reelection of the Press
ldeht challenges inquiry. as it puts him again
upon the country. But even if his pressure
for reelection did not
MENACE THE TRANQUILITY OF THE UNTRY.
1T is important that the personal pretensions
he has set up should be exposed, that no
President hereafter venture upon such ways.
and no Senator presume to defend them.
The case is
CLEAR AS NOON.
In opening this catalogue. l select two
typical instances of nepotism and gift-tak>
ing. officially compensated. each absolutely
Indefensible in the head of the Republic,
the most pernicious in example and showing
beyond question that surprising egotism
which changed the Presidential Office into a
personal nstrumentalitv,
NOT UNLIKE THE TRUNK OF AN ELEPHANT,
equal for all Things. small as well as great
from provision for a relative to pressing
treaty on a reluctant Senate, or forcing
relation on a reluctant people. Between
these two typical instances, hesitate which
to place foremost But since the nepotsm
of the President is the ruling passion reveal
ing the primary instincts Of his nature
since it is maintained by him in utter uncon-
sciousness of its effensive character; since
INSTEAD OF BLUsRING FOR IT
as-an unhappy mistake be continues to up
hold it; since it has been openly defended
by senators on this floor and since no true
patriot anxious for Republican instit utions.
can doubt that it ought to be driven with
hisses and scorn from all probability of repe>
titon. | begin with this undoubted abuse:
THE NUMBER OF GRANTS RELAT soNs IL OFFICE
There has been no call of Congress for
report of the relations holding office or sti-
pend or money making opportunity under
the President. 1t is evident that any resolu-
tion calling for it. moved by a senator not
known to be for his reelection, would meet
with opposition, aud an effort to vindicate
Republican institutions would be denounced
as an assault on the President But the
newspapers have placed enough beyond ques-
ton for Il Judgment on this extraordinary
case. Although thus far there has been no
attempt to appreciate it in the light of his
tory, our list makes the numhercf ben, fici-
aries as many as forty two. 1t will not be
questioned that there is at least.
BAKERS DOZEN IN THE CATEGORY
thirteen relatives of the President bIlleted OF
The country, not one Of whom, but for this
relationship, would have been brought for
ward, the " hole constituting a case of nepC-
tism rot unworthy of the,worst governments
whose office is family possession. Beyond
the list of tbiT teen are other revelations show
ing that this strange abuse did not stop with
the Presidents relatives. but
THESE RELATIONS OBTAINED APPoIS TIEETS
Fer OTHERS
10 their circle SO that every relation became
the center of influence while the Presidents
family extends Indefinitely.
Mr.. Sumner here quoted from American
authorities on NcpotisnI, and that but one
President. Adams, had ever appointed rela-
tives to office. and that the public sentiment
condemned these appointments.
Mr.. Sumner then answered the apologists
of the President and Continued, assuming
that if, in case positive merit designated a
citizen for particular post. the President
might appoint relation, but it should only
be ore whose merit was so shiny that his alb
sepce would be noticed. At least it must be
such as to make the citizen a candidate
without regard to family. But no such
merit is attributed to the 5cneficiares of our
President, some of whom have done little but
bring scandal upon the public service. At
least
ONE is TAINTED WITH FRAUD,
and another with a commission OF the Re-
public abroad has been guilty Of indiscretion
inconsistent with his trust. Appointed orl-
ginally in open defiance OF Republican prin-
ciples, they have been retained in office after
their unfituess became painfully conspicuous.
BY testimony before Congressional commit
tee. one OF these, a brother>in-law. was inn
plicated in bribery and corruption 1t is
said that at last, after considerable delay.
the President has consented to his removal.
Here leave for the present this enormous
pretension of nepotism swollen to elephant
iasis, which nobody can defend, and
PASS To GIFT-TAKIN6, &.
which with our President has assumed an
unprecedented form. Sometimes public men.
even in our country, have gifts; but it is not
known that any President has before repaid
patron with tffice. For public man to
take gifts is reprehensibe For President
to select Cabinet councillors ard other officers
among those from whom be bas taken gifts
is an anomaly in Republican annals. An
ancient patriarch feared the Greeks bearing
gifts and these words have become proverb:
But there are Greeks bearing gifts else
where than at Troy"
A public man can traffic with such only
at his peril. At its appearance the prayer
should be said
LEAD Us not into temptation"
The President notoriously has taken gifts.
while in public service, some at least after
he had been elected President. until the Ga
lena tanner. of a few hundred dollars year,
(to borrow the word of my colleague, one of
his supporters. is now erich in houses. lands
ard stock above his salary" being proba bly,
the richest president since George Washing
ton. He has appointed to his cabinet
"GREFKs BEARING GIFTS"
without seeming to see the indecorun, il not
the indecency of the transaction. AT least
two. if not three, of the Greeks. having no
known position in the Republican party or
influence in the country. have been selected
as councillors in national affairs and heads
of great departments of the Government.
Nor does the case of the first Secretary of
State appointed as a compliment differ in
character from the other two. The President
feeling under personal obligations to Mr..
Wash burne for mportant'support. gave him
ga "A COMPLIMENTARY NOMINATION.
with the understanding that after coDfirma-
ton he should forthwith resign. cannot
forget the indignant comment of the late
Senator EeSsendeu as we passed out of the