Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-01-16

VT
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 16, 1878.
A Change.

When Congress adjourned in December
for the holidays the opponents of the pres
ident were very happy. They interpreted
the vote of the Senate refusing to confirm
the New York nominations as indicating
in irreparable breach between the presi-
dent and republican leaders. They could
not see how the president could do what
he thought his duty, and the senators what
they thought their duty, without having a
quarrel arise from disagreement. Then
there came the manifesto from William f..
Chandler which was intended to array the
old guard of republicanism in New IIamp-
shire against the president and his title.
The week just past has changed much of
this premature exultation into serious
establishment and unlocked for meditation
Last Wednesday the New Hampshire re-
publican convention met and after renom
mating Gov. Prescott, passed resolutions
of praise instead of condemnation of the
president. The meeting of the state COM
mittee the evening before the convention
was an exceedingly lively one and Mr..
Chandler found himself without support in
his fierce onslaughter. He was told much
truth in vigorous language; and the re-
buke to him came not only from such nm
old lree-soer and republican us Amos
Tuek who called him political tramp
and from such veteran office holder and
stump-speaker rs Gen. Hartman who
said he was himself tired of swinging the
bloody shirt, but from the brave Major
Farr who was losing an arm in the wal
while Mr.. Chandler was getting gain in
politics.
1t was not doubted that New HAMPSHIRE
republicans would declare for good money
and good government, for the preservation
of the nations credit and the maintenance
of the equal rights of all citizens. But
Chandler and his friends did not expect
approval of civil service reform or appro-
baton of the presidents efforts in any
other direction. Their disappointment is
great. The New Hampshire republicans
by their platform of last week have done
much toward putting the party in line on
living, practical issues They leave bour-
bonism for the democracy.
Not second to the New Hampshire plat.
form is the letter of Senator Edmunds to
the president in prospective influence on
politics. The evil effects of the spoils sys-
tenn have never been more clearly, or with
more absence Of nonsense, pointed out
than by the leading republican senator
The remedies suggested 60 to the root Of
the matter, too.
Mr.. EdmundS' letter is more remarkable
for its clearness and precision than for any
new doctrine. We well remember when
Mr.. Willard for advocating such notions
was accused of riding Il hobby, of being a
follower after an impracticable theory and
Il foolish marplot in practical working.
politics. But those Were the days when
Gen. Buffers sneers, Credit MObiler stock
and back pay carried more votes than
honest argument. The denunciation oil
cvil-service reform as not practical, came
from men who hated it Just because it was
practical and its advocates were unpopu-
lar because they trod on the toes of men
who profted by the distribution of patron
age. 1t was the hurt that caused the cry.
Mr.. Hayes belief in the Cincinnati
platform on this subject has been
the subject of much amusement and
then of more anger on the part of men
who regard platform resolution US bait
and not as n working chart. Their
establishment will be great that the words
of Mr.. Edmunds' letter appear above his
signature-the dispensation will be to
them most mysterious.
The practical outcome will be more sue
cess in breaking up the spols system and
establishing n reasonable and business,
like one instead than it before seemed the
president could attain. Sure enough if the
republicans should 60 out of power and
the democrats come in, it would all be
knocked over for time, but the advance
is worth making, and, once made, the
ground gained would be more easily won
oUoin