The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-03-29

That IulS gentleman Is u6au III eAEueSb
upon this subject Civil service re-
form. l have it from the highest au-
thority-his next and most confidential
friend. l am ready to believe 1t. He
hiss called two Democrats to his cabi-
net, appointed a Democratic postmas-
ter, snubbed all the officeseekers so far.
l believe he will carry out his notion
of reform. And he csa do it. The
man who is pledged not TO solicit sec
ond term, and knows confoundedly
weA he could not get it were he to ask
for il, Is very impudent sort of fell
low. The leading Republicans of the
Senate haf q realizing sense of this
when they undertook to bull-doze him
in his Southern policy. Blame has
been severely criticised and commented
upon for. his speech on the occasion,
but, the fact is, he led off on q clear
understanding, gotten In caucus, that
this was the thing to do, and that he
was to be sustained by the entire Re-
publican side OF the Senate, with the
exception of Conkling. Morton, some
time before, in response 10 a serenade,
gotten up by himself, went further than
Blaine. II was supposed that by this
old and well known course the
| President would be intimidated
and the party committed. But
Rutherford B. HAYES. whatever else
may be said of him, is not timid. He
does not scare to my extent. One of
the Senators, full of the milk of human
| kindness, called on the administration
to VAIN and advise. Rutherford very
politely took the aged Scion to cor
ner, accompanied by his little girl, who
amused herself by swinging to the Ad-
ministration's coat tail with an entreaty
to go somewhere or do something with
far more earnestness than the anxious
Senator. Rutherford smiled and list
ened attentively, and when through
thanked his friend in the kindest way,
and so ended the interview. The next
day, believe it was, he sent in his
obnoxious cabinet.
What could party of bald headed
Senators do under these circumstances Z
They have counted him in he is there
for four years. He asks nothing of
them. There was nothing to do but
come down as gracefully as they could,
but come down all the same-and come
they did. Old Cameron resigned; the
old widow and the new President were
too much for him. Blaine growled for
few hours, and then dined with this
damnably absurd man. Bob Ingersoll
swore by God he does not believe in,
and then went off to lecture upon the
opening glories of new administra.
ton. They can do nothing for Ruth
erford, nut Rutherford can do some
thing for them-only he won't. l am
glad of it. Not that hate Rutherford
less, but those aged specimens of dig
nified rot more.
Mr.. James 3. Simpson, the late ex-
cellent editor of the Dallas Herald, re,
ferring to a statement of that paper
affecting Judge Hancock's fidelity to
the Democratic party and to the South,
says: 4...r .... ...-.
| The portfolio of Postmaster Gen
eral of the United States was placed al
the disposal of Judge Hancock. HI
was requested to accept it-as Demo
crat of the straitest sect. He was moi
called upon to become an apostate, OIL
to darken his reputation with the
charge of beng recreant to his faith
He was invited as Southerner and 9
Democrat to administer the affairs anC
bestow the patronage of one of The
NEST important departments of the Fed
eral government. He sought the ad
vice of the Texas Senators aud Con
gressmen, and l was invited to be pres
ent at their conference. The delega
ton met at the rooms of Judge Reagan
and consisted of Senators Coke anC
Maxey and Congressman Mills, Schlei.
cher, Reagan, Culberson and ThrOck
morton. will not undertake to out
line the discussion that tnsucd, nor to
give the views expressed by the gentle
men present, but it will suffice fer mt
to say that the delegation was disposed
to let Judge Hancock exercise his OWL
judgment, which was in effect to de
cline to advise him as to the course h
should pursue.
Mr.. Editor, permit me, in all truth,
to say that this was a rare exhibition
of matchless generosity, and doe:
merit, at the hands of all Texans, un
reserve praise. Hancock could have
been of Unreasonable benefit to Texa
and to the South. He felt this, bu
his peerless sense of honor forbade hin
to place his former associates In tn,
position of apologists for their actor
and his, or to have the faintest suspi-
cion of unfaithfulness visited upo1
them by their constituents. Senator
Coke was swift to appreciate thi!
most manly act, and in discussing THU
matter subsequently with him, ht
warmly expressed the highest admira-
ton for Judge Hancock, and declared
that he felt higher regard for thai
gentleman than he had ever before ex.
perienced.
Need 1 say, Mr.. Editor, that the
Texas delegation respect Judge Han
cock for this act, and that it ii
cruelty unjust to charge him with
being a recreant to his trust and al
apostate to his party.
When this fact was communicated
to Judge Hancock the tender of the
portfolio was declined. l am perfect
ly familiar with the motives which
prompted that gentleman to decline
this great trust and the exercise of it
tremendous power, for the honor o
that position IS tremendous. Judg,
Hancock and his colleagues (save Mr.
Mllls) had supported the electoral bill
and in doing SO had been charged will
selling out to the Republicans. Ii
other words, 1t was avowed that il
consideration of the bestowal of certain
important offices upon Southern mel
no disturbance should be created, anG
that the determination of the electora
commission should be accepted and en-
forcee.
Judge Hancock thought that should
he accept this Office coloring would bt
given to this most unjust and ungener
GUS charge, and with that exalted spirit
of self-abnegation that has more o.
grandeur in ir than aught have wit
messed in political life, he put asid,
power and place and honor and emolu
ments for the sake of these, his asso.
ciates and friends.
Personal.
| DIR. slade, the Spiritualist, is about