The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1877-07-13
CHANGE OF THE PRESIDENTS POLICY
In APPOINTMENTS.

ers at Washington represent President
Hayes as not satisfied with the results
OF his policy Of making appointments
to Federal Offices exclusively from the
Republican party. 1t is not improbable
that the President has discovered that
this policy has failed to conciliate the
Blaine and Packard opposition, or even
to mitigate the bitter, hostility which
the great majority OF the Republican
party have manifested towards him for
his alleged abandonment Of its plat
form and policy. A closer observa-
tion will confirm this conclusion
Of the President. In fact, we have
pretty strong convictions that
this hostility to him on the part OF the
Republican party Ia not limited to the
expelled and rejected Office seekers, and
to those who have been ousted by his
Southern policy, but that even among
his appointees to important positions
there exists the same sentiment. 1t
is a rather peculiar circumstance
that the acceptance Of Federal office
under President who is denounced by
the ''outs' az "a traitor" to his party,
has not involved any serious alienation
or separation OF such acceptors from
the party which has arrayed itself 30
fiercely In opposition to the President.
It is, indeed, worthy of inquiry on the
part OF the Presidents friends whether
his appointees even attempt to conceal
their sympathies and affiliations with
the Republican party as organized In
this State; whether any one of them
In this city and State has ever
since his appointment manifested any
honest and sincere approval of his poll
cy in It's application to Louisiana or any
modification of previously expressed
and emphatic denunciations OF the
Presidents whole programme. So far
as our knowledge and observation ex-
tend we scarcely know Of an appoint
ment or retention in Office by President
Hayes of man in this State
who was not bitterly opposed to
his policy and plan for the settle
ment Of our Louisiana case. They
were all followers and supporters Of
Packard and Of his opposition to the
Hayes policy, from the commencement
Of the controversy down to its settle
ment and even up to the date Of
their appointment to Federal office.
It has surprised us that In the distribu-
tion of his patronage President
Hayes should have picked out the most
tao nf ~ 1noAfnu
feature of his policy. Whilst we ac-
cept many of the propositions Of the
new civil service reforms which have
been announced by the President and
Secretary Schurz, we have not yet been
brought to an appreciation Of the wis
dom Of an administration in appoint
ing to high offices in the government
persons who are violently opposed to
Its chief ideas and policies. This is
certainly perilous experiment in civil
Office reform, and we are not surprised
that Mr.. Hayes should have discovered
it's unwisdorh and impracticability.
Doubtless the President could be JUS
titled in his original policy, as an
nounced by that weak vessel Of his
Cabinet, the Postmaster General, in
confining his appointments to Republi-
cans. We have not heard that the
Democrats make any complaints on
that score, though such might have been
made with some justice in view OF the
high.toned sentiments avowed by
Messrs. Schurz, Evarts and Hayes in
reference to the need Of a higher class
Of Federal appointees than mere
hired partisans and political managers.
But IL the Democrats Of Louisiana had
no claim to consideration as candidates
for Federal appointment, they had at
least claim on the President that he
should not appoint the enemies Of that
leading measure Of his Administration
which has gained him the support Of the
Democracy. It is doubtless the con-
sciousness of this mistake which has
led to recent manifestations Of regret
and of a determination to make a change
Of policy.
Good faith, as we'll as wise policy,
would appear to demand Of the Presi-
dent the appointment to offices Of
power and influence in the Federal Gov
erment Of such persons as give proofs
Of cordial support Of the policy OF his
government on so vital question as
that involved in the Louisiana settle
ment. We doubt whether the President
has Intentionally violated this obvious
dictate Of good faith and sound policy,
but it is a very evident fact that the
Federal offices in this State and city are
now filed with persons who are bound
by far stronger ties and sympathies to
the Packard and Kellogg factions than
to the men who have given and for the
future can alone be relied on to give the
Administration cordial and efficient
support.
THE BRITISH FLEET AT BEsIKA BAY.