New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-05

that having been Initiated by the present hu-
ministration it was essential to its success that
the Administration should BIO continued. 1t
can hardly be claimed that we have had much
or any of it in these twelve months. Leaving
out q large number OF unfortunate appoint
ments and reappointnents, the amount OF per-
Torrance in this regard may be sufficiently
indicated by the resignation of Mr.. George w.
Curtis, upon whose bond for the good faith of
the President the people depended more than
anything else. Should further comment be
necessary, the assessments OF Government clerks
IN st. Louis, Baltimore. Philadelphia, and
within q day or two in New York, furnish 1t.
But We take Mr.. Curtis's word for 1t, verified
as it has been by events, that tho Reform has
been virtually abandoned.
Concerning the national finances, it will he
remembered that the Administration was not
only profuse in promises but somewhat threat
ening with its warnings. 1t is so little time
ago that very few probably have forgotten
how eminent financial authorities urged the
importance of continuing the present Admin
istratIon 80 as not to disturb the finances and
the business of the country. nor how they
predicted financial disturbance in case or Mr.
Greeley's election. How well the promise OF
financial prosperity has been answered, the
assignees of these gentlemen may partly tell
while the PROSTATE business interests OF the
whole country furnish the story.
The promise Of Ietrenchment was followed
by q message from the President recommend
ing an enormous expenditure for wild scheme
of internal improvements, and by the passage
of n law doubling the Presidents salary, in
creasng the pay of Congressman 90 per cent,
having them over million dollars of I'M
earned money, and increasing all the appropr-
atoms. The promise of honest administration
in all departments was followed Immediately
by the pardon of some Of the most notorious
defaultcrs, and has since been followed by al
most daily revelations OF frauds, thefts and
defalcations in all branches Of the Govern
ment service.
Louisiana, under the government of usurping
authority, maintained by Federal power, and
other States similarly controlled from Wash
ington, are comment enough upon the promise
of law, and order, and peace at the South. The
boast of a successful peace policy with the
Indians had its sufficient commentary in the
ModOc war.
The protcslations of regard for The purity
of elections were followed by frauds in Penn
sylyania so sweeping that good men In the
Administration party could not refrain from
indignant denuncatiOn of them; and as il this
were not enough, the pardon Of the President
released from prison the only man who was
convicted of fraudulent voting, and so dis
couragcd the prosecution of hundreds more
equally guilty. Tammany exposures in
l.. laa
means for fastening worse rings of the Adj
ministration stripe upon other cities. The
party which claimed to be respectable, honest,
clean, decent, and to represent moral ideas,
was found to have in the Senate men who
bought their seats in open market; men who
received retaners from great corporations to
represent their interests in the National Leg
isature; men who in one form or another
received brides; men whose public life was
disgrace, and men whose private life was
scandal. 1t has not been n pleasant discovery
for the American people.
But one of the most conspicuous features Of
the campaign which ended year ago was the
indignation felt and expressed by some of the
best men in the country at the infamous
charges brought against our Christian states
men. 1t was resented almost as personal
afrront Wei, it is enough to say of that
matter that the last Congress investigated
tenderly but effectively tho Credit Mobilier
transactions. A great many honest and we'll
meaning persons were shocked too, at in
tmations that the President was not utterly
unselfsh and the embodiment of wisdom as
well as valOr. Some of them have recently
read Congressman Wizards account of the
passage of the Salary bill all of them saw
the alacrity with which the President signed
the bill doubling his own salary, and nearly
all of them have read how he refused to
" violate the law" in the issuance of the
100000 "rescrve," and went directly to
Washington and consented to the issue.
years performance is the comment on the
promises of the campaign. One thing that
was promised has been done. The Thanking
Privilege has been abolished. Would il be
unlind to set off against it that it was made
the pretext for stealing q million and a half
from the Treasury and increasing salaries at a
most runous rate1 The people have gathered
up these things in memory. A great many
thousandsaof them who voted for President
Grant year ago to-day have got tired of
"politics"S Is there any lesson in it Would MT
it be wise for parties hereafter to say what
they believe and perform what they promise
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THE CONFLICT AT VERSAILLES