Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-09-07

!
years ago the Republicans elected the Cover
nor by 100 majority. Hayes had only G,l4l
plurality over Tilden last year, and the
Cooper ticket also received 800 votes. The
State is close, and the result this, Fall, in
doubt
Colonel Mosby called on President Hayes,
a day or two since, to say that twenty thou
sand ex-Confederates in Virginia voted for
Hayes at the last election. and that not one
of these had received any recognition at the
hands of the administration. This fact,
Mosby said, was hurting the admnistratij IN
in Virginia among the men who accepted
the results of the war in good faith, and
were SUPPORTING the Republican party. For
the administration now to ignore them, and
to give large share of the federal appoint
mentS in the State to men who still enter
tain the opinion that the South was right in
rebelling against the general government,
was, in his (Mosby's) opinion, not the
proper course to pursue, if the President de-
sires to build up an administration party to
be composed OF men holding conservative
sentiments. The President listened and
took notes.
The Newark 4drerdiScr makes what is
| doubtless an authorized statement of Judge
Bradley's conduct on the electoral commits
sion. correcting, as follows, the Suns story
that he had prepared an opinion different
| from The one he delivered and had read it TO
various members of the commission Judge
Bradley had already decided on the Florida
case that he could not 90 behind the returns
of the State officials In the Louisiana case
he finally, and after anxious thought, held
to the same opinion, but of two sets Of re-
turns be chose the one he thought most au-
thentic and legal. That elected Hayes. As
to the doubt whether Judge Bradley could
have prepared a written opinion on one side
while he was expressing different opinions
orally on the other, the facts are worth tel
ling, and We dare to assert them without
any other authorization than our challenge
that they cannot be cOntradicted. The
morning before the opinion was given, Sena-
tor Edmunds had guessed out Judge Brad
ley's decision, but he did not know it. Up
TO that time, as we understand, the opinions
delivered had been oral. There may have
been one or two exceptions. At the session
next day, Senator Edmunds whispered to
Judge Bradley that as the opinion he was to
give was to be decisive, it ought to be in
writing. The argument had not then closed.
Bradley accepted the suggestion, and sitting
at his place dashed down the decision on
paper within an hour. in the presence and
during the debate of his colleagues. lie |
WAS subsequently urged to enlarge the argu- |
ment, but 1t stands in the printed report Just |
as it was then written. And therefore |
Judge Field is very correct in saying that !
Judge Bradley did not, at any time before,
read to him an opinion"
Torrevent removal except for cause, and
to prevent illicit political activity, and to
put the public service upon business basis,
there must be some system, some principle,
something more permanent than we'll
meaning discretion. The limitation of com
missions must be repealed there must be
appointment to the lowest grade upon
proved fitness among all applicants, and
sound system of probation and promotion
HdrpT'S Weekly
When the electoral commission was pro-
posed. the Times ventured to say that the
result would be that gossips and
would bcfOul the supreme
court, the highest and most august tribunal
in the land. 1t was felt that the justices of
the supreme bench ought TO be left above the
reach of partisan rancor. The result has
been justification of our worst fears. But,
until lately, We had supposed that the
Judges were of themselves free of tendency
to blab. We evidently overlooked Mr..
Justice Field.-Nev York Times.
The demand is strenuously made that be-
,ause Mr. Cornell presided at the late meet
ne of the Republican State Committee he
hould be removed from the position he
Ids as naval officer of the port of New
York. Slppose Mr.. Cornell were removed.
md for the cause stated Would tina: re-
orm the administration of his office? Mr..
Cornell is probably as competent to dis
barge the duties of the position he holds as
ny uan in the State. lie devotes his en-
ire time to the office. His ability and his
integrity are not questioned. No successor
.ould more competently and faithfully dis =
barge the duties that are devolyed upon
lin, and no one Just entering upon the office {
ould do it as well. Mr.. Cornell's removal
gould be in violation Of Mr.. Curtis's theo- {
les with respect to official employment, and Q
Tould be indefensible upon every ground a
hat relates to an honest and faithful dis a
barge of public duty. But Mr.. Cornell pre- =
ided at the meeting of Il political commit
&c True enough and he had right to |.
0 it, and there is no law or authority vest. =
d anywhere or in anybody which takes q
way from him that right, provided he
looses to exercise it. The President may !;
emove him, but when he shall have done y
nat he will not have promoted reform Of c
lie civil service in any respect, though he u
ay have sown other seeds which can bring il
nth only the most lamentable results II
ron Times v