The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-02
Mr.. H.ys.' civil service Order.


| In the long line Of our American Chief
Magistrates none have excelled MIR. Hayes
in satisfaction with himself Assuredly the
Washington correspondents who describe
Mr. Hayes supreme self-complacency over
the fancied success of his civil service order
do not intend to caricature him, but their
serious accounts are really the most anus
ing of caricatures. Assuming that they cor
rectly represent Mr.. Hayes own view OF his
achievements his thirst for reputation
would seem to be Of pretty much the
same order as that of the prize fighter
and the walking gentlemen who aspire to
what is called the championship. Mr.
Hayes. regards himself as the champion civil
service reformer. What could more belittle
President Of the United States than to
represent him rs pluming himself in his
small coterie Of personal admirers upon
having done something noteworthy and
praiscworthy in promulgating the civil SER
vice order last year? Jefferson won reputa-
ton by his purchase Of Louisiana Jackson
by his bank veto and naturalization
manifesto; Lincoln by his emancipation
proclamation and we are sorry to have 1t
told us with much solemnity, as II SO
trivial o thing were worth authentica-
ton, that Mr.. Hayes is shallow enough
to think his civil service order
important. II this trumpery order is the
measure Of his mind his mind must be OF o
remarkably small pattern. He processes
to have made the important discovery that
while it is perfectly legitimate for federal
ofhce-holders to contribute money, write ar
ticles and make speeches in favor of repub-
lican candidates after they are nominated,
it is improper for them to exert any open
influence Ill controlling the nominations.
That IS to- shy, the postmaster in d rural
district may not preside in person at a eau
Gus, although there is nothing IN the civil
service order to prevent q local postmaster
from standing behind the scehes and
pulling the wires and virtually APP
pointing tool of his to pack, preside
over and run the caucus. The sham distinc-
ton between the activity of office-holders
before nominations and after nominations
is "too thin" Those jealous and superser-
viceable friends of the President who think
to do him honor by representing him as
noodle who does not know that it is as easy
for federal office holders to act through tools
as to act directly in packing and controlling
caucuses and conventions must have unlim-
tied confidence in the stupidity of the peo-
pie whom they expect to bamboozle. II
their representations arc really inspired
by Mr.. Hayes he is the slliest and
pettiest man that ever held so high an
Office Mr.. Hayes fetch about contribu-
tions to election funds is equally paltry
and ridiculous. The President is repre-
scented as saying that all federal office-hold-
ers may contribute, but that he will not
turn them out of Office If they refuse.
This is the feat of the ostrich which hid
its head in the sand without knowing that
its body was exposed. II in the New York
Custom House or Washington department
the employees are asked to tax themselves
for election expenses every body knows that
the social pressure will suffice for extorting
contributions without any threat of loss
Of Office. There is nothing in Mr.. Hayes
order to interfere with this social coercion.
The order, even with the now interpreta-
ton, is, therefore, piece of weak claptrap.
A President who wants 10 be boosted on SO
small a matter would make o very respect
able member of Dorcas society, but what
are We to think Of him as n statesman?