New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-06-22
THE CHINGE IN TIE TREASURY De
PERTINENT.

I4HI bEAJ
The resignation OF Secretary BristoT and
the simultaneous retirement from office of sew
eral officials holding subordinate but very I'M
portant positions i'll the Treasury Department
are events whose significance should not be
lost sight of or their possible bearing upon the
campaign just opening undcrcstimated. Inc
resignation of Dir. BristOw Immediately follow
ing his defeat as a candidate for the Presiden-
tial nomination seemed at first blush not to he
opDOrtune, for it was open to mIsconStructon
and the fact that his intention to resign Oh the
first of July had been announced before the
result of the Convention could be known,
would not be considered, in the haste with
which public opiDi II jumps to its conclusions
And yet the public has no business to sit in
Judgment upon the motives OF Mr. Bristow in
the matter The one great fact about
that gentlemans connection with pub
lie affairs is that lie has for more
than two years discharged the duties OF
one of the most important departments OF the
| Government with such signal ability, such
sterling integrity, such stubborn aud unflnch-
| ing honesty of purpose, as have made him the
one marked man OF his party, the one prac-
teal rcformer who has not talked, but has
acted who made no pledges when the air was
| resonant with promises, but who fulfilled ana
redeemed when the market was gutted with
false and fraudulent issues, and public conf
dencc was completely broken down and de-
| stroved by the volume of protested paper put
forth in platforms and indorsed by great
party. The public has 10 business and 70
right to say to such public servant upon his
retirement from Office, anything but " God
no done
$50 WE'LL" no business and no right to do
ANYTHING but gIaciously uncover and make oboi-
sance as he passes, with Well done, good
"and faithful servant" If ever man brought
an honest purpose and stubborn sense of
truth and justice to serve his country, even
though he at the same time served his own
ambitions ends, that man is Benjamin H..
Bristow and it neither lies in the mouth OF
captious critics and carping political opponents
/ to bclttie his motives, nor III the ear OF the
American public, whose good he has so honor
ably and faithfully labored to promote, to lis
ten to anything in his disparagement.
II has been no secret of course, that for many
months, without being openly at variance with
the Administration he has not been in cor
dial sympathy with it, nor it with him. II has
not needed great insight to discover this fact
and that from the nature Of things the Sccrc-
! Jarvis position could not be entirely comfort
able or agreeable. lie has remained at the
! head Of his department Notwithstanding, and
| las done most excellent work. With his rt'-
ignation and the retirement of number
/ ~ officials under him, some Of whom have
been identified with him in his labOrs Of reform,
and have rendered great and important public
service, the Republican party is exposed to
new danger. President Grant left to himself
/ Is not liable 10 do anything 70 promote reform
or strengthen his party. In the appointment
/ If Mr. Mofnli to thc Treasury Department he
/ has done a. well ~ We could have hoped, and
much better than We feared. Mr.. Morrill, has
I been long in the public scryicc, has always
I commanded confidence, and ba3 preserved n
I stainless name through lis whole Official
\ career Though never looked up to ~ ono Of
/ the highest financial authorities Of tho Senate,
I he has always been regarded ~ a sound, able
I and conscientious adviser, md there is no
/ donbt that be will administer the affairs Of
j The Department honestly. II Is question
7 however whether Mr.. Morrill, viii pursue the
/ yigo50us policy Of his predecessor, on put
/ himself 10 aecord wffl The easier metbods Of
| the Administration II IA not 10 be denied
| ptAt While the decadencc " enthusiasm, and
consequent deleais n be party, have been ai-
/ trbafable almost Hisly 10 the weakness ard
| isetGapetepcs VI Den. Cfangs administration,
! fbe b6eitlr yfsiDi,s fof ibe future which hng
I GsTned dp6ng he last IN months has bcon
dge IN Iggs degfoe b. The Guoncss and
yi1or With which seeroiay Bnstow has
administered he A6js ~ bis department
ssd E}yen me peOple The practical reality In
slssd d ne ernpty pfafiog and nnsnbs,antial
pgOI0iye 81 iefGf~, mi s:sp backward In tbe