The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-14

any man in that body, and far less than
the majority of the house, Andy does
throw the constitution around rather pro-
miscuously, but it might do some good pro-
vlding senators could determine what he
was driving at-but let him talk constitu-
ton IL he wants to.
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APPOINTMENT AND REMOVALS.
Principles, if sound, ought to be of uni
vers1l application. However it may be
with rules of grammar, exceptions do not
prove the correctness of a principle. 1t is
not always easy to determine what is, or
what is not, correct principle-and this
ls especially SO in politics or the science of
government. And there is ne principle
which is 50 difficult of determination, or in
reference to which there is such wide
spread difference OF opinion, as relative to
that which should govern in appointments
to and removals from office. Perhaps the
extremes were reached in the rules govern
Ing appointments under what is called
''civil service reform" and in the ''tenure
of Office" law regulating removals from Of
fee. In the former, such system of cx-
animation was required, that, if the result
of the examination was to determine the
matter, offices would be filled with school
boys provided they were of the requisite
age. While some sort of civil service reform
isurgently needed, the prescribed questions,
to be answered by candidates, were so alb
surd, when their object was to test fitness
for particular office, that it is no wonder
that the plan adopted proved abortive or
that the whole system was abandoned in
disgust. The absurdty of the tenure of office
law had fitting illustration in the i'm
parchment of Andrew johnson for his at
tempt to remove Secretary Stanton. 1t
would seem no more than right tina, pres
idcnt should have the power to remove his
personal advisers at will, and so the coun-
try concluded. and the tnnn-a of of''oo low
went by the board.
There must be correct principle gov
erning these appointments and removals,
and we may possibly find it some day-but
1t is extremely doubtful. The rules of the
civil service reform were adhered to or dis
regarded as they might be of use in politics
In its lowest sense, or as they might or
might not interfere with the bestowal of
rewards for partisan services. The object
of the tenure of Office law was solely po-
litical, being to retain certain men of GER
tain political affiliations in power. 1t was
the good of the party, not of the country.
The only prosecution under 1.-THE i'm
parchment of Andrew Johnson-was po-
litical move and was decided as a party
question, and almost by a strict party vote
While several offices should be bestowed
Upon men of certain political opinions, al
ways provided they are otherwise qualified,
other offices should be entirely removed
from the political arena. While all men
will agree to this proposition theoretically,
practically they act otherwise. ITO the
victors belong the spoils" has become a
cardinal practical principle of American
politics, and governs the bestowal of office
from the president down to the postmaster,
from the governor to the pound keeper.
This principle will ever be derided by the
"outs" and fondly Rugged by the Gins
as their party is in or out of power.
The legislature of New York is just now
seriously considering the question of re-
movals from Office as presented by pro-
posed law which goes to the extreme verge
opposite to that occupied by the tenure of
office law. 1t is proposed to give the gov
ernor power to remove the secretary Of
state, controller, treasurer, attorney gene
raj, state engineer and surveyor, canal com.
missioner, or state prison inspector, fol
misconduct or malversation in office" on
charges, which the governor himself may
prefer, and after San opportunity of being
heard in his Defense" This would be bad
enough, as long as the governor is allowed
to be prosecutor and sole judge, and would
be in great danger of being exercised fol
partisan purposes or political ends-foi
governors, especially New York governors,
are human and rather fond of the exercise
of power-but this is not its full or worst
extent. The governor is further authorized
to suspend any one or more of these officers
during IN investigation, and TO appoint
suitable person" TO perform the duties Of
the suspended officer during suspension
The duration of such suspension is unlim
tied, as the time for hearing is not pre-
scribed-the governor can, therefore, de
lay or expedite the same as may please hi
sovereign will and pleasure. 1t hardly
seems possible that such proposition car
become law, but legislatures are not to b.
depended upon. 1t seems passing strange
that Governor Tilden should recommend
Its passage-but he has. 1t is almost pre-
posterous even to talk of permitting gov
ernor to override the will of the peopl,
upon his own motion, but the proposition
IL seriously made.
1t is proper, perhaps to confer upon al
executive power commensurate with hi
responsibility, but to make an executive
an absolute despot is altogether anothe
thing. Governor Tilden might not abus
this power, but we should regret to sc,
him or any other governor put to the ties
in times of great political excitement.
similar law would have suspended Andrew
johnson from the presidency, and nigh
suspend General Grant. Men will resor