Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-10-12


Correspondence of the New York Tribune.
In the nomination and election of Gov
Hayes for the presidency, heartily eioned
believed that with the aid and support o
Republicans throughout the Union he woulC
render good service to his country. still
believe he is earnestly endeavoring to do so
and while am not quite sure that his
methods arc such as will realize his expecta
tons, am willing to wait until they are
fairly tested.
saw in the Presidential Southern policy
an enlarged, patriotic and confiding desire
and belief that prosperity and fraternity
could be restored. That belief, 20 far as the
prosperity of the South is concerned, seems
to have been well founded. How far "fra-
ternitY'' will he restored, remains to be seen.
! greatly fear that all the concessions will be
required and made from, and by, one side.
II, however, material prosperity should be
accomplished, We can afford to see political
differences work out their solutions as for
merly.
What | especially regret is the "Ciyil
Service reform policy of the Administration.
Not that such reform was uncalled for, but
that it should have magniied itself into a
feature or measure of administration The
things to be reformed should have been, in
my Judgment, treated as abuses requiring
correction. As abuses they had grown into
formidable dimensions. Federal oifce-hOld-
ers IN the city have for many years exercised
supreme control in primary meetings, in dis
trict, city, and sometimes in State c0nyen-
tons. For several years this abuse has oc-
casiOned serious dissensons in the party.
This evil was aggravated by virtual surren-
der oil the appointing power to senators and
representatives, in Congress. In so much,
reforms were imperativelv demanded, and
such reforms could have been etfectually
accomplished by the President and his cabi-
net in Il manner so quiet that, in the Ian
guage of the late President Lincoln. nobody
would have been hurt"
Objections to the "civil service reform"
are as plenty as blackberries" | submit
ted some of these objections to the people
through the Hcrdd when Gen. Grant COM
mlttcd the error of attempting to reduce a
theory to practice. The prediction of failure
was soon realized, and the scheme abandon
ed. My hope, early and earnestly expressed
to the only member of President I1aye-' =
cabinet whom have been fortunate enough
to meet, was that the Administration would
not allow "history to repeat ITSELF by
adopting romantic and exploded "civil SER
vice reform" idea. | will, however, now
content myself with single objection to
this policy &; and that is that the Presidents
practice will conlound his prOverb." Pres
idcnt Hayes, like President Grant, will dis
regard the "civil service rule. Indeed he
has already done so in two important ap-
pOintmcnts. If civil service reform means
ANYTHING, it is in an especial manner appli-
cable to the Diplomatic service. where expe-
rience, language, etc, acquired by lengthen-
| ed residence in Europe, are Of essential i'm
portance When it was deemed proper to
recall our capable and popular minister to
| France, "civil service reform would have
suggested the promotion of Mr.. Marsh, who
has been for more than twenty years ably
and creditnbly di>charging diplomatic duties.
| But in what the Administration considers
| grave requirement, "ciyil service reform"
was here ignored. Gov. Noyes, of Ohio,
was appointed minister to France, and, in
my judgment that, in the language of Mr..
Webster, was an appointment "tt to be
made lie was the Presidents friend,
and his appointment to France was fit
ting recognition and appreciation OF his
gallantry as a soldier, his fidelity as a poll
tcian. and his worth as citizen. In the
appointment of John L. Stevens as minister
to Sweden, the President did very hand
Il or It
reward for long, faithful and efficient politi
cal service. have known Mr.. Stevens well
for more than 20 years as the foremost and
best, if not the most influential Whig and
Republican of the State of Maine. Although
never abroad, and best known as chairman
of the Wing and Republican committees of
the State of Maine. his appointment to
foreign mission is alike creditable to the
President and himself. But his appoint
ment, like that of Gov. Moves, both excellent.
knocks "Civil Service Reform" as was
recently said oi an unfinished book, "higher
than kite" Again, the cabinet announc-
ed its determination, three weeks ago, to re
move Collector Arthur, Surveyor Sharpe and
Naval Officer Coruell And here the Civil
Service Reform" policy comes to the front.
This offers the most favorable opportunity to
signalizc that policy. The experienced and
capable deputies Of Messrs. Arthur, Sharpe
and Cornell. who have served so long, so
usefuly and crcditably to the government:
and to themselves, will, upon "Civil Service
Reform" principles, be promoted.
The Presidents civil service and Southern
policies occsSioned anxiety and apprehension
throughout the State, but the masses Of the
party were =" waiting and watching" in the
hope tha; results would vindicate their WIS
dom. Senator Conkling was largely indeht-
ed to this state of feeling for his power to
control three -fourthS of the delegates of the
State Convention. The selection of dele
gate soured by IN abortiye effort 10 obtain
seat in the cabinet, as temporary chairman
of the Convention, promised anything but
harmony but when that gentleman, IN
taking his seat, avalei himself of the occa-
sion to make a gratuitors assault upon the
Administration, and was. on Senator Conk-
ling : motion, made permanent president ot
the Convention, the Senator's attitude be-
came one of uneduivOcal and defiant hostility
to the President and his cabinet. That this
was a fragrant and indefensiblc perversion,
both of the objects of the Convention and the
duties of a trusted delegate, cannot be de-
MED. The injustice of indulging personal
griefs, and disappointed aspirations, at the
| hazard of ruin t. our party, cannot iail 70
unite and stimulate Republicans throughout
| the State to renewed and jealous efforts for
the success of their tickets.
Mr. Weed goes on to say that President
| TAYLOR entered on his office with - views
similar to the civil service reform programme
of the present day; but became satisfied
that it would not work, and changed his
policy. lie adds
The Postmaster General. Judge Collamer,
to whom | was authorized to communicate
the Presidents views. lost no time in ap-
pointing meri;orious Wing postmasters
throughout the Union. New life was there
by infused into the Whig party. The Wing
press and the people rallied with enthusiasm
to the support of the Administration, and
had Providence spared the life of that gal
liant soldier and intlcxihly honest President,
his administration would have been more
beneficial to the country and more glorious
to himself than any since that of Washing
ton. If | understand President Hayes, he is
animated by a PATRIOTISM a. exalted AS that
which warmed the hearts of Zachary Taylor
and Abraham Lincoln. I. W.
Sept. %, lSI,.
General summary.
An elevator cDstinp < 900 Is to be erect