The Portland daily press., 1875-05-18
An Oyerhauling.

There is said to be great deal OF specula-
tion and no little anxiety among politicians
at the national capital. They cannot clearly
discern the result of the recent raid upon the
whiskey ring, but have feeling that it is
part of a stupendous political scheme to re-
move large number of prominent officials
and replace them with the followers of other
magnates-the new cabinet officers, for in
stance If Commissioner Douglass was re-
post, what will become of those who are never
at their posts, or have been the tools of the
whiskey swindlers? They see their political
heads in the basket and the ghastly sight
makes them faint at heart.
There appears to be some ground for this
fiery Indignation" The fact is that President
Grant in calling to his cabinet such men as
Bristow, Jewell and Pierrepont. has sur
rounded himself with class of men who have
shown themselves eager and competent to res
form the public service wherever corruption
appears or incompetency has allowed abuses
to creep in. The Postmaster-General has
shown his firm purpose by the summary
course he has pursued toward the straw-bid-
ders, the cheating contractors, the clerks who
sold themselves to plunderers, the mailbag
swindlers, and in snubbing such ofic-
ials as Sam Baird. General Bristow
began early in the Treasury Depart
ment. He surprised the Muletts by
showing them that the Minister of Finance
was not simply an official to sign papers as
matter of course. Now he has stepped out
side of the regular channels and surprised the
internal revenue bureau by exposing the
iniquities of the whiskey ring and taking
measures to bring these swindlers to justice.
Judge Pierrepont who takes the Department
of Justice is supposed to be man of the
same mould. Such cabinet changes look like
purpose on the part of President Grant to
inaugurate reform of the civil service which
will amount to something and the first move
against the whiskey ring; and those officials
who have allowed the combination to grow
while neglecting their duty, is certainly an in
dication that the work has begun in earnest
1t may be a stupendous secret political
scheme, but it is one which promises more
for good government than the score of inde-
pendent party movements which reformers
have attempted the past ten years. Let us
hope that the work may be carried on with
the same zeal and determination with which
it has been begun. Let the inefficient l re-
moved and the guilty punished to the full ex-
tent of the law,
We do not, however, think that this move
ment against the whiskey ring is part of
"stupendous secret political scheme" In
deed, we think that it disposes of the third
term nonsense more effectually than formal
declaration. All along we have been told
that the President was going to secure a
third nomination by the aid of the well
trained army of office-hoiders. IF such was
the case, he would not now be taking measures
which will most certainly ALLEVIATE many of
this efficient corps of helpers. The fact is
there is reckoning day at hand and we shall
not be surprised to witness very respectfully
sized procession of sorrowing gentlemen who
have seen service but will see it no more.
At least, such is the impression of the best in
formed Republican journals and things DO
point that way. Well, let 1t move.