The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-09-12

Glle lou Vi OuS fOgtttS, LOT size was
fool, and so too good-hearted to give
any one much pain of heart Wish
ington Capital.
A Specimen Of Reform.
Messrs. Wells and Anderson re-
turn from Washington with victory
perched upon their banners. What
ever doubts there may have been as
to the influence of these gentlemen
with the administration are now dis
sipated. They come back with a
long list of appointees, vice various
officers removed against whom no
suspicious have been publicly ex-
pressed. One of them comes with
his own appointment as the success
or of a gentleman who has had long
experience in the Office from which
he is now removed, and in which he
secured the confidence of the mer-
chants here. No charges are made;
no explanations are offered. Certain
persons have been removed, and GER
tain others have been Approximations
reasons best known to the Admins.
tration, but very shrewdly suspected
by all to whom the movement is of
interest. When our reporters called
upon Collector King that official sta
ted that he had for months been in
possession of Mr.. Champlin's resig-
nation. When the matter was re-
ferred to Mr.. Champlin, he answered
directly and detiantly, "Let him
show it!'a go 1t1
The fundamental principle Of Mr..
Hayes's boasted civil service reform
system is summed up in Secretary
Schurz's pithy order, aNo removals
except for cause, and no promotions
except for merit" It is for the Ad-
ministration, therefore, to declare
what was Mr.. Champlin's fault, and
what was Mr.. Anderson's merit. If
some further explanation is not made
public we shall be compelled to re-
gard Joe Bradley's President as q
failure in the role Of reformer. Mr..
Champlin is an old and experienced
revenue officer, whose capacity and
fidelity remain unquestioned. Mr..
Anderson is totally devoid of expe-
rience. Mr. Champlin has the con-
fidence of the business community.
Mr. Anderson is regarded with uni
versal distrust. Mr.. Anderson, who
is man of large fortune, accepts
position at a salary of something
like $1,000 or, $500 per annum.
Does anybody suppose that this
wealthy man has taken this place for
such pittance merely?
When Collector King was FIRST ap-
pointed it was understood to be at
the solicitation Of Mr.. Anderson. and
it was the current opinion that the
former was mere figure head, while
the latter would be the real power
behind the throne. The President
was under personal obligations to
Mr.. Anderson for his course in the
Returning Board; but it would have
had an appearance of indecency to
reward him openly with a remunera-
tive Office. So. recourse was had toa
catspaw. That was the solution
generally adopted by reason of evil
dent indications and superior plausi-
bility. Now, under the rules of the
service the deputy becomes Collec-
tor in the event of the Senate's refu-
sal to confirm his chief Thus, BY a
little .f'esse, may the real hero of
this farce be ushered into that posi-
ton of prominence to which his en-
inent services entitle him. But the
play is not over yet. There are
awkward questions to be put in
Congress, and there is a certain mat
ter, not altogether impertinent to the
issue, now pending before the crimi-
nal courts of this city. The proba-
bility is that we shall eventually dis
cover Mr.. Champlin's fault and Mr..
Anderson's merit. We shall devote
ourselves sedulously to that inter
esting inquiry. In the meantime
the attention of Miss Gail Hamilton
is especially requested. New Or,
leans Picayune.
TINS story is travelling about
Ben DeBar, who was called close
manager: "Daring an engagement in
st. Louis Edwin Booth notified the
frugal Ben that lime light was
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