The New York herald., 1877-09-14
SARATOGA.
a Brilliant Season at
the Springs.
A TALK WITH SECRETARY BRISTOW
Can the Civil Service be Separated
from Politics {?
THE EXTRA SESSION.
Senator Kernan'e Views on
the Democratic Policy.
THE EXTRA SESSION.
SARATOGA, Sept 8, 1877.


Grand Union Secretary Bristow and his family,
Judge Nblack, of Indiana and United States Senator
Herman and his wife, AT the United States, besides
Mr. William Fl. Vanderbilt and his party, nave been
ex-Mayor Opdyke Marshall O. Roberts Isaac Sher-
man. These gentlemen all representative men,
but their views the political topics OF the day
pretty carefully concealed at all events expressed
with great caution. ExSecretary Brlstow's opinion
ON the subject he may be considered to have most
at heart civil service reform, sought by the
HERALD correspondent, but with very marked sue.
cess as O sketch OF the conversation will show.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
81 have ceased to take any active part In politics
since left Washington" said Mr.. Brstow, in reply
question relating to the Presidents new rule, ''and
have in consequence declined express any Views
the subject Both my interests and my inclination
withdraw me from public life and attach to my
profession. The law Is jealous mistress, and does
not like its followers to inermeddls with politics. and
as Il is my intention 10 devote myself to the law
must Of course, submit to its oxactions"
''The Supreme Court Bench is not, however included
in politics. observed the HERALD correspondent.
The exsecretary was SILENT but Senator Kernan who
was present, intcrposed a remark.
"That is position,' said he "neither to be sought
nor declined"
The continued silence OF the ex-secretary seemed to
give assent to this proposition.
"You have had stormy experience yourself in civil
service REFORM Mr.. Secretary" remarked the HERALD
correspondent.
swell, certainly did not have a very enviabIe
time," replied Mr. Brlstow, ssmiingly; ~ had duty
to perform which l could not avoid but was very
well aware before commenced 1t that should find
!he task an unpleasant My experience conyn nced
me that reform in the civil of the government
IL greatly needed, and l sympathze with the Presi-
dents efforts to bring It about BY reform mean an
honest collection of the revenue, and integrity fidelity
efficiency in all the public Offices The effort to seps-
rate onlce-holders entirely from politics /. novel
experiment, and do not how Administrations
which lasts only four years. bind It's successors to
any such rule. should regard 1t sufficient credit
70 an administration to be able enforce strict hon.
esty, efficiency and economy all the public depart
ments and Offices, leaving the incumbents alter tho
proper discharge of their official duties with tho same
privileges as to politics which evory other citizen
possesses. Under system Of government with a
change in the President Cabinet every tour years
doubt whether II Is practicable to dissever the civil
service from politics to the apparently con-
tempated by the Presidents order But rgive these
opinions simply as private individual and without
any reference to the political effect OF the proposed
form. Looking at tho matter practically do not sed
how oihce holders. who are generally such reward
for efficient political services be Withdrawn wholly
from interference with political questions unless in.
nium''
SOUTHERN DEMOCRACY,
"Do you think the Presidents policy in the South
VIII win over 10 HIM the political support OF the South
Srn States y''
II do not believe President Hayes has spolicy,'
and think his friends do him injustice in calling his
course in regard TO the South by that name. His
scusive action IN regard 10 the troops has
politically. the Southern democracy was mover
stronger or better organized than tho present tme
Rut
doubtful whether 1t will not Just solid as 1t
now Is until alter the next Presidential election"
SENATOR MORroSs CONDITION.
Senator Morton's death would ! suppose be
garded as a heavy republican lossyn
III would, indeed, be great misfortune to the re
publican party and loss 10 the country Mr.. Morton
IS one OF my warmest friends aud regard HIM as ono
o. the most valuable public men Of the day He has
snce have been very apprehensve OF u fatal result
put sincerely hope for his recovery. HIS death
would be- much more than the loss of single vose TO
Inc republican party"
'ln case OF his death who do you think would be his
81 know nothing about it; but gentlemen of prom
nencc from Indiana have, believe, expressed tho
opinion the choice of tho Governor would fail on
Dan Noorhecs who one OF Governor Williams most
valued personal trendsp
TnE EXTRA SESSION UNITED STATES SENATE.
senator kerfan bears the stamp OF true ability
modesty. He isaverse to appearing the news papers
anu giving bis views as to the prospects extra
session Of the United States Senate / risk dispIeas-
ing him Tor the sake OF gratifying the thousands VINO
are always glad TO hear his opinions on any of tho
IL DO no; think lhere will be any postponement OF
tho extra session" " SAID the Senator In response 10
question because the soldiers wil want their pay.
Ihey nave been paid for the two mont ending
lst OF july ana next month they ought to be paid for
tue months OF July and August They bo put OF
until the end OF October very great incon
ence, but no longer The arrangements made Tor tho
advance OF the officers pay provides for the but tho
privates must be taken OF. think IL moro prob
able that the extra session VIII be INTO the
regular session than that II will be- pos,pouedn
What course do you think the democratic Senators
WIN pursue %
81 lave no doubt they will favor such policy as
Justice and iairness dictate We lind the adm nstra
tloh lawfully IN power and much bound to give
President Hayes iar support all good appoint.
ments and ia such measures as are and saiulary
IS We should II his election had been
IS that ot any Of his predecessors. The democratic
party never cease to dcnounce the and
wicked frauds by when their candidate was che cd
put ol tho oihco to which he was unquestionabIy
elected by the people or 10 oppose the party
rule OF which such frauds were possible But that
not relieve the United States Senate whether demo-
cratic or republican, from legisating In the interests
OF the country, or from doing those acts which
necessary TO enable the adm nstration carry the
government in IN cicent and respectable
,nannor Ny opinion Is that the democratic
Senators viii give the adminisl ration fair support
when II Is clearly right and oppose II when is wrong
Jut that IN 80 dong they VIII uct only from
'centious sense Of duty, and will stand ready as
ever 10 expose, denounce and PUNISH The Infamous
frauds pcrpetratcd by the republican party in the last
election and to call upon the people OF the country
the proper tmeto put the stamp of their reproDation
on those who wore guilty of the crime"
TIE SOUTHERN VACANCIES
'Do you think the vacancies In Louisiana and South
Carolina will be Ged?i'
~ tnnk they will look for the admission of both
the new applicants They WILL OF course, he friendly
tho administrators, and IT would seem to be poor
policy the part OF the ADM nisraon republicans
keep them out Certainty the democrats will not dc
any State deprived OF representative in
she Senate unnecessarily
THE NEW YORK STATE ELECTION
Wnat do you think o. the approaching election In
bur StateY'
"a think It exceedingly desirable that tho democracy
should succeed In New York this autumn, and hope
that they Will carry tho state Senate, not only ms
lust proper support 10 Governor Robinson's adj
nlraple administration, but az the groundwork or tho
election OF 4 democrat TO the tncd states Senate in
place o Mr.. Conklng see there are some rumors OF
Il conflict over pomnations but trust tins VIII 10 |
nv olded or Will at all events BE- than the
nary honorable contest Tor such positions Harmony
~ democratic councils is all the more desirable now