New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-24
Senate would do well to consider them IN
passing upon Mr.. Clark's qualifications.
THE PRESIDENTS ADVISERS.

THE PRESIDENTS ADFISERS.
| From somebody, President Hayes must needs
get knowledge of men. No man living can
possess the wide range of information to en-
able him to act without asking others, If bis
duty is to fill 10000 offices, in many depart
ments and in many lands. The personal
knowledge of the best man is apt to he de-
fectve, even where he thinks it enough. Pres
ident Hayes did some things, early in his
term, upon his own knowledge, and we do
him the Justice to believe that he feels that he
made some mistakes. SO it comes to pass that
a President must inquire, from somebody. In
the end, the question of questions comes 10 DC
this: From whom does he inquire !" III from
one set of men, his information Will have a
certain cast |; if from different set, another
cast This is as sure as that the hot rays Oh
the sun will melt frost work OH the windows.
So the question finally comes to this: Snail
the President ask information from those
"whO are friends, or from those who are foes
"Of the public credit 7"
He may ask from BOTH il is said. Very
true, and it is his practice to hear all sides.
But he gives the greater credit to- somebody
in the end. TO whom2 If the men who are
trying to destroy the Nations credit tell him
one thing, and the men who are trying to
save it tell him another, as to the fitness Of
any candidate for position, which does he be-
heve2 Does he give the preference to either 7
If not, would it not be wise for him to con-
slider why not
Under our form OF government, the men
who represent the Executive have consider
able natural influence. They are selected as
men of character and worth they are placed
in positions of trust and if they never lifted
finger to influence caucus or convention,
still they would have much weight in their
communities because of the testimony which the
Government gives that it esteems their char
actcr. In shaping public opinion, on any
question of doubt, their words CONT for much
The Government cannot have men representing
it who are hostile to its aims on any vital matter,
without throwing away n very important and
legitimate source of influence. II desires, let
us say. to maintain the public credit. 1fpre-
ference is given, in the selection of officials,
to men who sincerely accord with Its aims in
that respect. the just influence of the Govern
mcnt for good is greatly increased. If, on the
other hand, men are selected without regard
to their opinions in this question of greater
importance than any other. the legitimate in
tuence of the Government is thrown away.
Is there any reason why it should not be used
Men say, ."This power may be greatly
"abused." That is true, and when so abused,
it has always dwndlcd and vanished. When
an administration "fxcs things" To help the
private ambitions or piqucs of individuals, the
people soon find out the fact, despse the Adj
minstration, as they did that of Mr.. johnson.
and spun the suggestions of its tools. But
when, instead of small private end, n great
and honorable public aim governs the sclcc-
ton of all subordinatcs, there il an
exceedingly strong feeling in this coun-
try that this is right. All the influence
that officials are entitled to, they then have.
Voters distinguish, if politicians do not, be-
tween scheme to help some clique, faction,
or ambitious individual, and proper effort to
influence public opinion toward the public
good. Government by factions or leaders,
each seeking private advantage, the people
spurn. Government 10y parties, each seeking
by different means the public good, the people
uphold and demand. The distinction Is not
clear to some professional rcformcrs, but il is
very clear indeed to a great majority of
voters.
President Hayes could destroy his influence
in u week by using his power To serve private
ends The weakest point in his administra-
ton has been the impro s>i0n that some APP
pointments were prompted, not by sole regard
for the public good, but by desire To serve the
private interests of this or that individual.
On the other hand, he can destroy his in
hucncc entirely by mol using it in behalf of
the Nations honor. Custodian OF great power,
he is expected by the people to employ 1t
only for the common good, but he will
be held to strict account ii his talents
are hidden in "a napkin. All that he
can do to promote the public welfare
he ought to do. He has no right to do any
thing to promote the advancement of any in
diyidual. whether that individual he friend
of Mr.. Hayes himself, or Mr.. Evarts himself,
or Mr.. Matthews. That distinction, the peo-
pie see clearly. Forty volumes of rhetoric
about reform will not avert their ccnstrc, if
the power trdstcd to the President is used for
private ends. Forty volumes of rhetoric about
reform will not avert their Indignation if, by
failure to use that power, the public honor Is
sacrificed.
FEDERAL IATERFERENCE WITH STATE
SCHOOLS. ,
Shall the General Government distribute Ger
tain portions of its revenue among the several