Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-05-03

Independent Voter" of Vermont that in the
coming gubemntorial campaign ho could do
credit to himself and honor 30 the State 10y
oycrtuming or ignoring the old party ma
chimes, and upon his own responsibility
clecting for Governor some such ideal states
man and popular idol Cla- Edward j. Phelps
of Burlington. Charles N. Davenport of Brat
tleboro, on A. -. Gardner Of Bennington.
With what the Herald says regarding the
political status of these gentlemen, and their
attitude Of irreconcinbility toward the Re
publican party and its rinciples-reason
enough why such Il move as the Republican
desires could not be successful--we have no
criticism to make but the Herald in the
same article gocs on to picture the true n-
wardness of Vermont Republcanism ia Ian
guage as follows
"While they are not enthusiastic sup
porters of the President, the Republicans of
Vermont are nrdently devoted to their old
time party sympathies traditions and assoc
| cintons. and the .Dormau Il. Eaton h1bblCrs
do not number bakers dozen among their
influential leaders of thought and opinion
| The people of Vermont look upon the whole
business of civil service reform as originally
interpreted and superfcially enforced 10y the
administration us the cant of hypcreritical
idealsts. since its practical result is the ro5Nt
set ot pU6tir appointments. bOth far 0biitg dHd
character. that cr0 diSgrdcfd and d,gradt8
The pH5lic seyrice.'
Well may the Republican inquire after read
ing the above, is this editor cruzy. or is he
simply a fool; - Is it fact that the Repub-
icans of Vermont view the efforts put forth
by the administration in the interest Of civil
service reform. and their results in any such
| light as the Herald represents Really if
such is the fact. we hadn't heard the news.
| viii the Herald please tell us where and from
whom this information was obtained Does
the tone Of the Republican press OF Vermont
indicate the prevalence Of such views? On
the contrary, Republican newspapers of this
| State, with very few exceptions, are cordial
in their support of the Presidents policy in
| this regard. Do the people themselves oX-
/ press dissatisfaction with the Presidents civil
service ideas or the character of his appoint
melts at home or abroad We have vet to
! hear word of complaint on these points
| Has the editor of the Herald, or amy Of his
| friends, 1--WE ask it IN a whisper. met with
disappointment in his efforts TO become IAN
| humble instrument in the hands of the Prcsi-
dent to assist il carrying ont, etc, etc, or
anything which might Toe construed; We
know nothing in regard to the matter but,
really the sweeping language OF the Herald
in this instance and the many petty fling
and insinuations in the same vein which have
characterized its pages for some time past
would seem to justify the suspicion.
But what is the truth in regard to Pres-
dent Hayess attempts TO improve the charuc-
ter of the civil service. The Hcrald's charge
that the practical result Of these attempts is
the worst set Of public appointments. both
for ability and character, that ever disgraccd
and degraded the public service is 10 draw
it mildly, as base Islander as could well be
uttered The President undoubtedly, has
made some bad and some weak appointments,
but these have been the exception. The most
prominent officials at home and representa-
tives abroad are men worthy Of their several
stations The cabinet consists Of not only
representative men. but men Of high personal
character. who devote themselves assiduously
to the duties devolving upon them, and who
have so well fulfilled the Presidents expecta-
tons and desires concerning theni-and so
well satisfied the country. besides-that, to
all appearances they hold their offices as Sc
curely to-day as they did on the day when
they first assumed their duties
But there is something more than this To
show as n practical result of President Hayes
efforts in this direction. He has taught Con
gressmen to understand that appointments 10
office were not at their dctation, and would
not be bestowed rs rewards for party or per
sonal obligations.
Another thing the President has done in
the interest of reform which has had an un-
doubted effect for good, although scoiied at
and purposely misinterpreted by the old-lint
''spoils politicians We refer to his famou,
order to office-holders, issued last May, for
bidding them TO run political meetings and
campaigns, and prohibiting assessments fol
political purposes. The Herald like Other
papers Of the anti-reform stripe, pretends tC
see il u recent remark ascrihed 10 President
Hayes, the abandonment Of that order. II,
is credited with having said to Congressman
Campbell Of Pennsylvania in conversation
held few days since, that be himself pro
poses TO subscribe to campaign funds ant
does not object to others doing the same.
The inference drawn from this remark by
those who are so eager to decry the Pres
dents motives is entirely unwaranted Hi
original order TO ofhce-hdiders neither b,
word or implication forbade voluntary sub
scriptions for campaign or other political pun
r poses and even in the recent conversation
alluded to, he made it distinctly understoo,
. that Office holders should not be influenced t,
make such subscriptions through fear of Re
moval. His meaning il both instances j
4 plain, and uncontradictory, and accords witt
the dictates of common sense.
Whatever petulance and fault-hnding ma
r. be exhibited by one or two Of the party news
r papers the Republican, Of Vermont, as
n body, believe thoroughly in President Hayes
= personal purity and honesty of purpose
u Some, it is true, were dubious in regard /
G the wisdom and success Of his Southern poll
L cy but since, thus far, it has been justife
S by its results, they have no fault to find il
Il that regard. Others, doubtless, have desire
Y TO see him exhibit more of IA spirit of indie
70 pendence, holder taking of the bull by tn
i horns in carrying out his reform principle
IS But notwithstanding these qualifications, tn
y coming State campaign will demonstrate til
o factor We are no prophets-that the prou
e satisfaction which the people of Vermont fel
O in President Hayes on the day of his inaugui
l. alton has increased rather than diminished
II since, in his earnest struggles with the en-,
II mics Of political reform, and in the discharp
Y of the various duties of his office, he has MAJ
IT Tested moderation, a nobility Of aim, an
e a tenacity Of purpose which command the
e admiration aud esteem.
+, The Florida nuebeaI.
II The Democratic press. together with Il,