New-York tribune., 1877-05-16
RELATIVES IN OFFICE.
PRESIDENT HnYFs'S POSITION THE TRUE ONE
WHAT JEFFERSON SAID-ONE WAY AND ONLY
ONE IL TIE PREsENT ENnRGENCY

PRESIDENT HtYFs'S POSITION THE True ONE
WHAT JEFFERSON sAID-ONE WAY AND ONLY
ONE IL THE PRESENT EMERGENCY.
70 the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: VIII you permit a few suggestions for
the consideration OF H. W. B.' and those who think as
he docs, who in late nuuIber Of THE TRIBUNE. has
taken exceptions President Hayess position in regard
to granting office 10 relatives Several Things may be
urged in defense this position, approving is sounduess
a. Relationship may not bc disqualification IN fact,
but il may very properly be in effect for the sCmdcst
reasons of public policy. 1t be tne WiSest cNpci
cncy. tc necessary preliminary To an effective reform OF
The governmental service Nobody hN put tho case
mo.c strongly a.ri coucsiyely than Jefferson. recently
quoted by you but overlooked by II. w. b." In letter
10 nephew ho writes:
TIE IIblc viii never be made to believe that On aY-
uoIutncut o relative Is made ON thC ground oi MCut
alone. urnlura crd by family views nor can they ever
with appreciation .rc- the disposal oI Whlch they
lntu,t IS. BIhc Offices ara trusts not perqui-tos 20
t,i. Tf,~ c;t, for pHnc pur1ose' :. B.Pu3lic, not
Adams DEGRADED binSclf intimately by hs conduct on
tHs subject, Gen Washington had done himself the
greatest honor WIN tN0 slcil eAlle~ 10 proc, ca p
! ,rou.d DE oouby incScds1hle 10 err Ii Is true ilat
h. places the relations OF the President IN worse stu
alton imn II He were stranger put 'ie l,l'I .,",a' w.
which cannot De effected II IT'S confidence he lost re-
gurc. the sacrifice.
This is tl,r higlcst political wisdom. The position
taken in the closing sentence is mprc1abie ii would
cut off, and ought to of every relation except for
pre, n!ncnt uuquesiioned and uuequa.cd fitness That
could hardly for office IN nation Of forty mil
lions Good :; bat thea tEcrc if always
more than one for each Office even when there are
10000 to hl.
,2J would Mr siilvell have applied for oh'e II his
cousin had not been President Was not the relation
ship ,hr cause of tie application Would II not have
n,,u the most ggobabe motive OF his appointment had
he received commission think I'd out OF every % OF
the puIic will answer. Yes" Then the conclusion Of
Inc ibic sentiment inevitable. President Haycs pu1S
b,sclf under c suspicion ana tIe Ci5iEc 90 L1fult-
.ru Tie puts tc first obstacle right IN the track OF the
uail 10 reform which he has marked Oh, FOR himself II
fhe Vtr4ilut iayuI his friends why should not SEN
ators and Rcpleseutatiycsi ; That Is 40 answer
CD SDoud Mr.. Stilwcll have received an appointment
from another Administration equally hgGtonc with the
rscUt so l,r as tested Even them to 20 back 10 JET
fcrsou's MAXIM 1t would JUSTIFY his appointments II
any one could justified in appointing relative GER
taiuly Adams had ground for giving office to son.
John Ouincy Men were not so plentiful then aud he
was q rare man jefferson den0moed this act Who Will
q in hc face OF recent history that he not rSht
Was moi the tendency Of Adlns's cOursr evil, while tie
coursc Of Washington followed by Jefferson, was sai-
ary Il r. wise 70 avoid the appearance OF cl even III
public as well in private life. Cesdrs wc mus he
above suspicion 50, tOo, must Crsaf, NJ = DJDLLl'
Cr0mtrtH, conn.,, April II, 1871