Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-12-21

Inc new tOrh CustOm mouse Appointments.
The Administration comes of the worst
in the contest over the New York Custom
House appointments. Mr.. Conkling has
carried his point thus far, has kept his
friends in their places, and has secured the
rejection of the Presidents appointees. And
we think that beyond question, in this Eat
ter, and to the extent Of approving the re-
sult,-thOugh not sharing Mr.. Conkling's
yindictive feeling towards the President
the masses of the Republican party are with
the New York Senator.
The whole thing shows remarkable want
Of practical tact. on the part of the Admin
straton. The design of the President and
Mr.. Evarts, of course, was to make point
for civil service reform. But they have made
no such point and would not have made it,
if the nominations of Messrs. Roosevelt and
Prince had been confirmed.
The testimony is overwhelming that Col
leotor Arthur is good man in his place.
He has kept his Office remarkably clean from
charges Of corruption and malfeasance.
lie co-operated cheerfully with the
Congressional committee in their investiga-
tions of the Office; and adopted promptly
and thoroughly their recommendations. He
has the strong endorsement of high-minded
men of all parties, as faithful and honest
official with especial qualifications for his
place. The President wishes 20 have the Gus
tom House run ION business principles"
But no business principle requires the re-
moval of an experienced, trusty and capable
servant, in the middle of the term for which
he was appointed, to make room for new
man, wholly inexperienced. and whose prac-
tical judgment and capacity for such place
have yet to be tested. Mr.. Roosevelt's
honesty and high character are beyond ques-
ton; but what sort of collector he would
make is quite uncertain. Mr.. Arthur is
good one, and the bottom principle of civil
service reform and of business wisdom re-
quired his retention. Mr. Cornell has
probably given less personal attention to his
Office; but his friends are able to say that
there are no charges against him, and that
his honesty and capacity are unquestioned.
What the man appointed to supercede him
as naval officer would be in that place is not
known. Yet, if the President, retaining
Collector Arthur, had confined himself to in
sisting on change in the naval office, be
probably could have carried majority of
his party in the Senate with him.
The case of Mr.. Sharpe, as Surveyor stood
on different footing. His commission had
expired, and the Senate has confirmed his
successor. But here no step forward in the
line of civil service reform has been made.
Gen. Merritt is as thoroughgoing a politi-
clan as his predecessor and his appointment
is due solely to his political prominence.
1t is not pleasant sight, that of a Repub-
lican President depending almost solely on
Democratic support of his nominations in
the Senate, and failing to get them confirm
ed, at that, in a case Of such prominence as
this. But if the result shall show President
Hayes and his nearest advisers that they
cannot safely cut loose from the only organi-
zation which can render them effective sup
port, the lesson may be worth its cost.