New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-29
Tux SIGNIFICANT OF IOWA.

n is useless for the friends of the President
TO try to hide ! themselves the unwelcOme
truth disclosed Des Moines The Repub-
lican party in Iowa is not pleased with Mr..
Hayes, and the discussion of his policy by the
convention has been exceedingly acrimonious
large majority of the delegates manifestng
their hostility to the Administration In the
most open and we might almost say the most
contemptuous manner. 1t will be urged per-
hans that conventions are managed by Office
holders and that the resolutions adopted on
Wednesday were only the expression of the
sentiments Of this class, a manifestation of re-
sentiment at the latest civil service order which
excludes them from their favoritc occupation.
But conventions nevertheless do represent
pretty fairly the opinions of the average
voier-tbey have something to do with max
inc his opini0ns-apd the existence OF great
dissatisfaction in Iowa has for some time been
main enough to all observers of the political
situation.
This domestic opposition comes from three
sources Undoubtedly there are many earnest
old-fashioned Republicans, with more zeal
than discretion, who do not believe III what
they persist in styling the "Southern expert
"ment.r They would have Republican State
Governments set up and maintained by force
in Louisiana, South Carolina, and Mississippi.
They would hold the Federal Government
responsible for ell breaches Of the peace in the
Southern States, and for al bad laws that
may be passed by Southern Legislatures.
They look upon Southern Governors as moth
ing more, by rights, than lieutenants Of the
President, and whenever Wade Hampton
body
commits assault and battery in New
Orleans, they exclaim that Mr.. Hayes
has made great mistake" and his
"plan has broken down" These critics re-
gard the Presidents observance Of the cOnsti-
tutional limitations upon his authority as
surrender to the rebellion. The second class
Of malcOntents comprises the ofico-h 'lGers
who make business of politics, and embraces
Laei les these a considerable number of peOIc
who, while they desire no offices for them
selves. are convinced that the party cannot
win except by laying the expense and trouble
of managing the campaign upon those who
have a direct personal interest III the distIibu-
ton of the plunder. They have always seen
victories won in this way; they do not believe
they can be won in any other way and hence,
while they approve Of civil service reform ID
the abstract, they look upon the dreadfully
practical rules established by tho President as
a pernicious humbug.
These two classes oppose the President OH
one side, and on the other it must he confessed
stand a great many of the sincere refomers
who believe in the neod of purifying the civil
service, conducting the business of the nation
on business principles, and keeping every
f H. ~ Until it,
proper sphere, but who are quite at "A loss
how TO reconcile the professions of President
HAYES with some of his recent performances
1t is hard 10 convince them OF the sincerity OF
reform which allows some OF the remarkable
amendments and equally remarkable remov-
ais which have been the occasion OF so much
comment In fact they begin to say that the
President should either quit appointing Buffers,
Schneders, Logans, Leducs, and The like, and,
on the other hand, quit such things rs retain
ing the old Custom-lOuse Ring to reform the
custom houses, or else stop Gen. Cart SchuTz
from parading over the country, preaching
Civil Service Reform. They say that, with
such practice behind it, the preaching begins
10 sound like cant. We dare say these censurcs
i'm some instances are unreasonable. They make
no allowances for the extraordinary difficulties
and embarTassments of the Presidents position,
or for the proneness Of all men to make mis-
takes. But the fact that many OF the true
civil service reiormers are losing confidence IN
the Administration cannot be disguised. II is
well to consider the causes of discomfort care
fully and to state them frankly then perhaps
the President will see how to remove Them.
1t would be a pity if between two stools he
should fall to the ground.
EAIPHHIJTD0 fkCTER