Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-09-25
CARPET.BAGGERS, GO HOME.

Southern Men for Federal Oniees In
the soufh-A Change of Policy In
the treasury and Postenice Depart
meuts-Ineapable and irresponsible
OnieIaIs to be Removed-The Pro-
nosed Concessions 10 Southern Opi-
mons.
vasbington Corr. fSept. 21) of the Charleston
News and Courier.
The Postmaster General and Secre-
tary of the Treasury, under whom the
vast bulk of the Federal offices in the
Southern States are held, have deter
mined to dismiss any person holding
Office against whom any charges of in
capacity or doubtful official responsible
lity NAV be made with sufficient SUBJ
sanitation In the way of facts and up
ON competent authority. 1t is admitted
by both these officers that large num-
Der of persons, entirely unfit by
social status or education, have worked
their way into these positions. 1t
is now proposed to make so
much of concession to the respectable
element of Southern society as to weed
these miserable creatures out, as fast as
they can be reached. The late troubles
in the South have brought not few of
these characters to the surface, and it
is not wondered that there was so much
dissatisfaction expressed. Without re-
fecting upon the character of the for
mer Postmaster General and Secretary
of the Treasury, it is quite evident that
they were grossly deceived, and if a
healthier state of feeling is encouraged
in the South it is admitted that the
Federal patronage must be in the hands
of only superior men. 1t is possible
that this sentiment viii soon prevail in
every one of the executive departments
of the government. This importation
of Federal ofice-holders from other
States than those In which they are
appointed has long been looked upon
as a glaring mistake, and steps will be
taken to remedytheeyil. Nowthat there
are indications of a cessation of the
hostile spirit recently exhibited in por-
tions of the Southern States the causes
of the troubles are beginning to be an
alyzed and commented upon. The
President, it appears, In the light of re-
cent events has not improved his opin-
ions of the political guerillas whOinfest
the South and fill the Southern Offices,
National and State. Pending the up
rising In New Orleans he was constant
ly beset by pet-baggers, who poured
in here from the South and infested the
Presidential Office with highly elabor-
ate tales of blood, murder and uncheck-
| ed devastation. 1t is learned that the
| President remarked of these worthless,
speaking of Senators and Representa-
tives, that, whenever there was a shot
fired or any sort of disturbanceOf the
peace, these people atonce congregated
at Washington, instead of remain
ing among their constituents and
using their efforts to preserve
order and to bring the refractory ele-
ment back to quiet and peace. This is
a phase of theirofficial functions which
they do not appreciate, and, preferring
a whole skin to the glory of heroic
martyrdOm, their appearance at Wash
ington is generally the fOrerunner OF
another outburst of irrepressible popu-
lar indignation. The situation of af-
fairs in the South is to-day commented
upon more favorably. 1t is admitted
in high official quarters to be impOssi-
bic to say what a moment may bring
forth. At this time, however, there is
encouragement to hope for healthier
condition of things. 1t is admitted
however, that nothing short of radi-
cal change of policy will bring endur-
ing peace and prosperity in the un.
fortunate States of the South. Such
change, however, cannot be dictated in
| any State.