New-York tribune., 1877-03-13


impeachng persons of their appointment, and
that consequently the civil service be better adj
ministered if appointments made by other per-
sons. These rules will be promulgated within
week, and undoubtedly will excite the opposition of
some of the working politicians in the country. 1t
is known that some members of the Cabinet have
been studying the various civil service reports made
under President Grants administration.
SENATOR CAMERON'S RESIGNATION.
THR VENERABLE SENATOR RETIREs TO MAKE
PLACE FOR HIS sOS-NO UNKISDLY FEELING
FOR THE ADMINIsrRATIoN-HIs LIFE AND PUB
Lie SERVICES
iBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, March Ex-senator Cameron has
sent his resignation to the Governor of Pennsylva-
mia, to take effect when his successor is chosen lie
leaves the Senate with two more of his present
term to serve and with almost a certainty of being
reelected for another six years if he should desire
A resignation under such circumstances is probably
without example in the history of the Senate. There
have been members of that body who have left it to
take foreign missions Cabinet appointments, and
there have been others who have dropped out under
a cloud to escape threatened exposure; but 1t IS
doubtful if any voluntarily laid down
his office, with influence unmpaired, to return to
private life When asked for the reasons that in
duced him to take this step, Senator Cameron said
Tonight 81 am 7S years old, and think that
have been in public life long enough and that will
never find a better time to retire. am tired of the
care and worry of Office of having 10 turn away
good people whom would be glad to serve if / had
the power and of being annoyed by bad people seek
ing to make use of me. am rich and need not sub
ject myself to all this trouble"
Although the veteran politician thus pleads his
nearly four score years and his WEAKNESS of public
station as the of his retirement and says that
he has medtated taking the step for Il year. 1t is
well known that the immediate incentive is desire
to push the political fortunes of his son. whom he
feels assured will be chosen his The pres
ent Legislature of Pennsylvania is Republican and
is controlled by the Cameron family j. Don Cameron
goes back to Harrisburg with the prestige of
creditable administration of the War Department.
Now is the time if for him to get a firm foot
hold in National affairs, and make himself instead
of the accident of an eccentric Presidents choice "a
powerful and permanent factor in the politics of the
country. His father with self sacrifice and
devotion to the sons interest and ambition, steps
aside and gives him his place. He does not wait
until his present term expires because the Legisla-
ture then may be Democratic. or, if Republican, the
power of the Camerons may have waDed under the
influence of the era in politics which President
Hayes is naugurating.
Senator Cameron said, in conversation with a
TRIBUNE correspondent this evening that lie would
like to have it understood that he does not resign in
any spirit of vexaton or anger with the Admins
tration. He should give the President his cordial
support He hoped he would succeed but feared
he would not. His Don had given the President
three days ago the of his own hearty sup
port As to the Cabinet. he had objection to any
member Of it except Schurz. who sueered at his ap
pontlnent to the War Department in 1861. He had
voted for Mr. Sherman's confirmation, but-remem-
bering that that gentleman had held back his name
several days when he appointed Minister to
Russia and had joined with Others in securing mme
diate action upon the nomination of his successor i'll
the War Department (Mr. Stantonl, he had thought
it no harm to make him wait little. He felt no
grudge against him, but only wanted to return a
compliment in kind.
Senator Cameron is the oldest member Of the SEN
ate. having completed last Thursday his 18th year.
His service in the body long antedates that of any
other Senator, but has not been continuous. He
was first elected in 1915 to out the uneX-
pircd term of James Buchanan, who resigned to
20 into President Folks Cabinet as Secretary OF
State. 1t was not until sixteen years after that
the Senators next longest in service-McssIs Howe
and Hamlin-entered the Chamber. Mr.. Cameron
was a Democrat during his first term, but
had decided tendencies against slavery. After four
years in the Senate he returned TO his business not
having been reelected. He one of the fathers
of the Republican party, attending its first national
convention and running as of the Fremont cleo
tors in 1856. In 1857 he again elected to the
Senate capturing three Democratic votes and de-
feating John W. Forney, who was President Bu-
chanan's candidate. At the Chicago Convention OF
1860 he was of the prominent candidates for the
Presidency, and might perhaps have been nominated
if it had not been for the active, though secret hos
tity of Gov. Curtin Mr.. Cameron never forgave Gov.
Curtin for what he called act of treachery. He
resigned the SenatOrshp in 1861 to 90 into President
IincOlns Cabinet as Secretary of War; from which
position he soon resigned to take the Russian
mission. He remained only short time abroad, and
on returning resumed the control of his party in
PENNSYLVANIA, and was third time elected to the
Senate taking his seat in 1867. In 1872 he was
elected Old as he is, the retiring Senator is still
vigorous physically and intellectually, and il would
not be surprising if he should again appear in public
life He has lost nothing of his wonderful skill IN
politics. and his control of the Republican party III
PENNSYLVANIA seems to be as absolute ever.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION BY THE PosiMAsTER-
GENERAL-NO MAN TO BE REMOVED EXCEPT
FOR CAUSE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUNRl
WAsHrSGToN, March 12.-POstmaster-General
Kew had talk with South Carolina gentleman to-
Do talxe aa N Indication of