New-York tribune., 1877-09-15


lack Of good square issue. The Republicans had
chance to supply this need by taking firm, honest
stand in favor of the Resumption Act, but they had
not the courage to do it. The consequence is their
speakers, those Of them who are on the stump, arc
talking with great amount Of forcible feeble
ness about everything in general and about
nothing in particular. Some of the ablest
men in tho party are not on the stump
at all, for fear they will talk too plainly about
delicate subjects The Democrats still worse off,
and in their greater demoralzed condition il the Re-
publican hope. All of their best men are taking no
part in the canvass Ewing and Pendeton are talk
ing the worst kind OF demagoguery about finance,
labor and other questions, but Payne aud Thurman
are silent. shrewd observer who Is not In tho
fight at ALL estimates alling off of at least 100000
in the aggregate vote, and Republican victory by
a small majority.
Here is another vicious growl from Portland
correspondent, who insists that tho Administration
has not yet extended the Civil Service rules 20 Mane
He says the post of chief appraiser in the Portland
Custom House became vacant By the resignation
of old and experienced officer Leonard Valentine.
Next in rank stood Franklin Sawyer, a spotless
officer, with perfect record, and thirteen years ex-
perience in the complicated duties Of the
place. But he was passed over without the
slightest ceremony, and exGov. Perham appointed
to the appraisershp. Mr. Perham is a worthy and
tACclicHJ lHdH, Dut he never na1 an nOtlrS eXDe-
rience as custom house officer and being WELL
nigh sixty years of age rather old to learn. The
place was given to Mr.. Perham simply because he
needed it. No Senator or Representative from
Maine had anything TO do with the appoint
ment, 1t being made on altogether too
high a plane for Senatorial or Representative
interference. Had these politicians been
asked to advise continues this vicious correspond
emf, " / have good reason to know that Mr. Sawyer
would have been promoted. But we must have
form, If the collection of custom house duties
has to be embarrassed by inexperienced and lncon-
petent men to secure it, There is pleasing some
people.
Cameron. COnkling & Co. are in swearing mood
about the notion that the Republican defeat in Cali
fornia is due to Senator Sargents opposition to the
Presidents policy. There is some reason for their
wrath They point out the facts ~ that the Republic
can Convention in California ndorsed the Pres-
dents policy, and (2 that Sargent himself
warmly in favor of it, He was the first Re-
publican Senator to come out fat-footed for
it in March last and has been extraordinarily zeal
ous ever since. He was too eager, they say.
to wait for an opportunity to declare himself in the
senate and 80 employed the convenient Wetmore
TO telegraph to his California papers very full in
terview, in winch Senator Sargent sustained
the President and Cabinet unreseryedly He was
almost as enthusiastic for the IN Artemus Ward
was for the last war; the present war and the next
war; Mr. Sargent was for the policy announced,
aud for what might be announced. Whatever tho
cause OF the defeat o. the Republicans in California
none Of it can be lald TO lack Of zeal on Sargents
part. He more prompt and ready IN indOrslng
the Administration han even Senator Bootn.