Smyrna times., 1876-06-28

\ BAD APPoINTMENT-Whc it was an |
nounced last Friday that ex-Judge Fisher
had been appointed L. S. District Attorney
for this State. there was some disposition to
diScredit il. notwithstanding President
Grants known faculty for making reckless
appointments. 1t was not known that a
change was desired. Except by those who
were trying TO effect it, and it was not
supposed that such a questionable change
could be attempted even if a change were
contemplated. The announcement read
Ike joke on the civil service.
Where Is the wisdom Of the change? \
Wilmington man tells us that Mr.. Higgins
has not pulled in the traces right; that he
was one of those instrumental in defeating
the Republican candidate for Mayor at the
last city election: that Judge Fisher will
do more for the party in one month than
Higgins has done all his official career;
that the old officeholdcrs in that city have
become stiff-necked and arrogant, and act
more as if they thought the people were
their servants than they the peoples serv-
ants, &c. He says the whole of them
ought to be wiped out and reduced to the
ranks and made to feel that they belong to
the common herd once more.
We do not know how this may be, nor
10 We know how much of public sentiment
our city jriend represented in his remarks,
but of one thing We feel sure, viz: all the
work judge Fisher could do would not
atone for his appointment. We fear that
he would be such a load that the party
could not carry him. His record would
neutralize all his labors and more too.
The case stands thus: The only record
Judge Fisher has is a bad one. OF twenty
notices or criticisms that have come under
cur eye with reference to this appointment,
every one Of them is against the Judge
Most of them bring up his character in nc
enviable light. Whether it is Just or not
10 tins criticise him we are not able to say
But just or not it is none the less true, anC
what is more, public opinion is on the side
Of the critics. Is it expedient then to pu
a man of bad odor in the place of one wh'
has good record in every way? Tn
appointment, under the circumstances
looks as if it were made right in the face @
public decency.
The friends of the Judge assert that n
charges can be alleged again ...a. IA.
IL was his assistants, lIu.4- .u. ia
son Charley, who had criminal charge
D,k. vi
satisfy the public mind TO make scapegoa
of his assistants. lie declined to discharC
them until he and they were force
out together under fre-the associat
even under indictments. 1t was free
and repeatedly charged by all Il
leading journals Of the country tn
NO criminal could be convicted in Il
District Court at Washington, during Il
latter part of the Judges Attorneyshi
provided the criminal had enough mon
TO buy the indictment against him. The
IS no question on one point: he was fore
out of Office and out of Washington to sa
the civil service from reproach, and if
is not fit TO hold Office there he is not
to hold Office here. However much
could wish his innocence established,
are free to confess that circumstances POI
hard against him--far too hard TO just
the President in removing a compete
faithful oficsbolder merely to make roc
for him.
The worst aspect of the affair Is thai
makes the Office appear as nothing m,
than party spoils /; commits the party
that baiieful Democratic idea.