New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-22
THE dpPOINTlfEVTS.

The problem of the new appointments be-
comes more and more complicated with every
DAYS delay. The programme for the New
York Offices remains 10 doubt, as The TRIB-
UNE announced il; but about the others there
are constantly fresh difficulties, and there is
still camor even about the Custom House.
Plans are made at night and changed Ill the
morning; solutions which seem perfect at DIN
ner- time are discovered before tea to be no
solutions at all. The politicians are bothered;
the claimants are more impOrtunate ami more
exasperated; and the great patient public, IL II
has not lost hope, has greatly moderated It's
expectations.
Mr.. Hayes has undertaken the task OF pnfi-
fying New-YoIk politics with so much zeal
and sincerity that we have especial rea-
son 10 lament the fatality which threatens to
mar his work in this most important reform.
1t would have been 80 easy if he had gone
about il in the right way. III, for instance ne
had civily intimated 20 the collector ana MS
principal subordinates at the beginning OF MS
term that it would aid bin in the execution OF
certain of his plans to have their offices M MS
disposal, they would doubtless have offered thclr
resjcnations in a perfectly friendly spirit, and
their places could have been filed without all
this uproar and quarrel. The new men, going
into Office with full comprehension OF the
Presidents theory of REFORM would have kept
away from the caucus, and abstained from too
much meddling with the convention; the " dis
establishment of the machine would not
have involved the dissolution OF the organlza-
ton of the party; and there would have been
no revolt of the office holders. But ever since
last March Mr.. Hayes has been kept by his
Cabinet advisers Ill the position OF walking BACK
and forth in front of the Newly ork party lead
ers, inviting them to tread upon the tail OF
his coat. He has put the case OF Clvli
Service reform in such way that the work
ing politicians are irrltated INTO the Ditterest
hostility, while at the same time they are lett
in fpI control of the machine all through the
campaign, with ample opportunity to turn II
against the Administration, If they arc disposed
to do so. 1t would have been more polite, at
least to act promptly, and refrain from these
eight months of threatening. There is a great
deal OF human nature i'll politicians, even OF
the Custom House variety
Moreover, a superiuty of proclamation and
manifesto has, perhaps, led the people to de-
mand IN the new officers an ideal fitness which
it will be found difficult TO satisfy. The Presi-
dent. or some of his garrulous advisers, who
have not learned the darger Of talking too
much have authorized us to require in these
Custom House appointments something only
little short of perfection. Collectors, Survey
ors. Naval Officers, Appraisers, Inspectors
Weirhers, Clerks, Watchmcn, ali grades
Of officers and employoe, are to be
chosen entirely on the GROUND of fitness. They
ore to be not only good and capable men, but
absolutely the best and the most capable men
that can be found No political friendships
are TO be consulted in selecting them. No IN
trigues at Washington are to nave any intiu-
epce upon Their fortunes. There is to be no
thought of harmOnizng any party Disagree
ments by means of them, or satisfying the
claims" of any locality or any faction. With
ample liberty of choice, the President cannot
blame his friends if they subject his choice TO
very close criticism.
At fho same time il will be only kind ard
reasonable to remember that Mr.. Hayes has
discovered G great many embarrassmentS I'D
the way of the reformer, OF which he was not
aware when he issued his sweeping general
order and if he falls short of his promises, 1t
is not because he was insincere in max
ing them, but because some of his trusted
Cabinet advisers were "a importunate
as they were inconsiderate. lie was
thus led to set up a standard which was
the right one in theory, but, under the
the present conditions of public life, was pos
sib!y too nigh for practical use. We should
give him full credit for all the steps he takes
in the right direction, all real reforms he sue
ceeds in establishing in our political system,
all the patriotic purposes and noble impulses
by which he honors his Office and endcars him
self personally to his countrymcn. And for
the rest, let us hope that troublesome expert
eoce will teach him to moderate the occasional
rashness of his speech and to check the boy
ish Impotence of those hendong statesmen
who boast of the victory before they have
fought the battle.