The Portland daily press., 1877-12-14
THE REJECTED NOMINATIONS.

Comments of the New York Press.
NEW YORK, Dec. 13.-The Herald in an edi-
torial on President Hayes defeat in the Senate
says:
1t is too early to indulge in conlectures as TO
the effect of this Notifying defeat on the fu-
ture course of the administration. 1t may or
may not lead to dissolution of the present
Cabinet. 1t is certain that the President has
been badly advised. and if he is wise he will Sc
lect better advisers. Having been led into -
bog and sunk up to his neck by following a
will-o' -the-wisp, he would do we'll to select a
different lantern to guide his footsteps. But
the President is slow man, and it may take
him several days to realize the situation. He
can blame only himself and his immediate ad-
visers for the position in which he finds him
self. We hope he will reorganze his Cabinet;
In any event let him have nothiog more to do
with the specious shams, and try and admiuis.
ter the government in the true spirit of our iu-
situations. 1t is still in his power to make a
successful administration, if he does not ex-
change one set of badedvisers for another set
of different stripe, but equally bad. He must
not surrender to the machine but to common
sense.
The Times says the President ought to I'M
derstand that if large part of the most ear
nest Republicans in this state and throughout
the country are either made Indifferent or
weary by the course of his administration. it is
not because they do not heartily desire reform,
or do not wish to see the standard of political
action made higher and the business Of the gov
ernment conducted in business method. 1t Is
because they cannot see in his acts sufficient
proof that be himself understands these all
important objects, or that he has any definite
intelligent or Ineligible idea as to how he will
pursue them. The mere trading politicians are
mistaken if they suppose that the sentiment of
the Republican party in favor of practical and
genuine reform is not strong. If Hayes had
followed reform principles as firmly as he hal
expressed them clearly, his strength in the
ranks of the Republican party would be almost
incalculable. 1t was on the principle of re-
form that President Hayes was nominated and
elected. Reform within the party does not
make pretencs of reform to cover traffic in
offices and a bodge-podge of some good and
more bad nominations.
The Tribune says, under the title of "The
President and his party" that the custom
house struggle at the last was short. sharp and
decisive. Those who encouraged the President
at such 3 political crisis. to insist on again
making fight, will do well now to consider
with some care the result. The Presidents
forces were mustered and led by j. B Gordon
twenty Democrats and five senators of his own
party. The situation is unfortunate and en-
barrassing for a Republican President who
must be supported by the Republican party,
unless his administration is to pass into the
limbo of Johnsonized or Tslerized failures.
After saying that it does not intend to $50
back" on the President, and commenting
many of his acts. it says: "We recognize the
dignity OF his character, but are provoked by
the blupders of his Cabinet advisers
Referring to several nominations which vo-
lated all his principles of reform. it says:
In the South, not only are Republicans ex-
cluded from office, bat as it appsars from the
extraordinary letter of Senator Gordon read in
the executive session of the Senate ten days
ago, Democratic senator is allowed to con-
troll the nomination of an important officer in
his section, recommends man precisely be-
cause he lisa strong Democrat, and the nomi-
nation is confirmed BY Democratic votes The
President cannot afford to be supported by
the Democrats, and at crisis like this, to
break up the party that elected him. There is
no need to abandon the civil service reform; it
is only necessary to abandon burlesques upon
IT, and to comprehend that the proper dis
charge of political duty is not incompatible
with the fitness for public Office: and that 9TH
er things being equal, an administration should
make appointments that will strengthen its
supporters.
The World lands the speeches of Senators
BaYard, Gordon and Herman in the executive
session, in favor of the President, and con-
dennis those Democrats who voted against
Hayes. 1t says the issue was petty one be-
tween two rival factions of Republicans, over
the possession of certain offices and the con-
troll of organizations in this state. 1t condemns
the whole affair, and does not see any more to
commend in the action of the Democrats than
in that of Republicans.
The Commercial Advertiser says the refusal
of the Senate to confirm the New York nomi-
Datio is a sharp rebuke to the President aud
bis advisers. Senators like Edmunds, An
thony, Booth, Davis Morrill,, Hamlin, ALI
son, Kirkwood and Blaine did not vote SO
much to sustain Conkng as to remind the
President that he is not in accord with the Re-
publican party. 1t is a great victory for Sena
tor Conkling. Let the administration be adj
monished and learn wisdom.