New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-18
TIE CALIFORNIA MIMI.
THE SPECIAL COMM sion REPORT GENERAL GOOD
MANAGsMENT. BUT TOO MANY POLITICAL AP'


THE SPECIAL COMM sion REPORT GENERAL GOOD
MANAGEMENT BUT TOO MANY POLITICAL APP
PoINTMENTs.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.-THE Special Com
mission sent west EXAMINE INTO tue affairs OF the Min
in San Francisco report Tat its bullion ana coming
opertions are faithfully and efficiently conducted, and
that in bringing them their present hig1 state Of
efficiency Superintendent Lagrange has performed his
full share OF duty and is entitled to credit therefor Tho
commission report great length the results OF tier IN
vssugston OF the charges made by Geo. M Pinney against
SUPERINTENDENT Lagrange concerning alleged frauds on
the Government Ia the sale old materials etc IhoY
say that Pinney was by his own testimony an accom-
plics IN crime il any committed, that he received
the money! and portion OF has boon traced hv
any evidence except nneys into the hands OF General
Lagrange Tney report, however, in regard to these
alleged transactions and concerning certain others
In which it Is proved that Government mono
was mishpproprtted. that the duty OF The od'
pernendent protect the interests Of the Government
aud to exercise the utmost vigil over his subOid-
nates especially respect to the disbursements OF ruo
I've funds This IL appears plainly he did not do, and he
is therefore morally respOn ,be for these frauds upon
tie Treasury and legally responsible for such sums a'
the testimony establishes having been paid by the
sellers to PnDry undevered supplies aud 4or the
sales Of oh materials not accounted for"
The following is the portion OF the rp0st when treats
OF political appointments in the mint:
I'm regard to the general department which "a under
stood embrace al! employees other IMAM tho" III Tue
ass vcrs METERS refners, aud coners departments,
while the clerks have lis been found competent
ana efficient. "A q particularly those IN the most
res 2onsibe positions, u believed that number OF
jgcompeient AMI inefficient persons have received ai
pOLtnents and have been retained through pom ca or
o.nrr q ddrratiOus hut not OF peculiarly nature III
IN inst appointments have bern
made upon the recommendation and request o officials
occupy IN high positions at the seat OF GOyernmenL The
commission rega DIS such requests tending to emOar
,ss thr who Is likely, IN such cases, I'M
duly t. increase the number Of employ es thus rendering
Subsequent discharges ne cessiry -
TIE ef officer and the EN- loves OF the Mlntas gen
eri rule have no doubt artivcv participated IN politics
AID IN III ul uJIcal conventions which together
with the Influence exercised by tciaus III respect 10
the APRON meDs has subjected the Mint 10 severe cfit
csi TIc commission Is OF opinion that while the chlef
executive officers OF the Government may, ia some de-
gree correct the evils arising fro these causes, no
permanent system o. wi Service can b. established
unles- we'll considered law upon the sprct ne ense ed
II is ante clAIr exprrencd and aitulul omcers
and np owes of the Mint should be retained during good
behavior bat this can, however, hardly be expected II
snc employees lively participate IN political stfugges
The right q! citizens cSprcs- their views uiou All
o1~stons affecting the public veal, ana TO cast their
yges in ali elections according to their own CONVICTIONS
siOu q nOt and cannot he abridged; but when con
urcted with service Of such deicate functions as the
Mint they -OulJ at least not DO conspicuous III pOhtcS
and political struggles.