Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-05-10
The Rutland Herald ON she Civil Ser.
vice Reform.

AS we suspected, the Rutland Herald's opin-
inally interpreted and specifically enforced
by the administration" was not product of
home growth, but an importation from that
purest and most reliable CD of all sources of in
formation and Washington. And it
also appears that the ''fitful conduct and fatal
inconsistency of the President in the matter
of certain appointments North and South
precisely what appointments, the Herald fails
to specfy-is the basis of its broad declara-
ton that the practical result of President
Hayes's civil service reform ideas is ''the
worst set of public appointments, both for
ability and character, that ever disgraced and
degraded the public service :" and this in full
view of the fact, which is patent to the whole
country, that so far, at least, as the higher
classes of presidential appointees are con-
cerned-and it is not claimed that those of
lesser importance are essentially different in
character-the country was never, AS u whole
more creditably represented nor its affairs
more ably and faithfully administered. To
see such fact as this, one does not need to
journey to Washington, nor even to inquire
of senators or representatives III Congress.
Some objects are best seen at a distance
and however distorted "itful" certain
things in the direction of the White House
may appear Ms viewed from congressional
windows, they may, nevertheless, be looked
upon by the country as entirely right and
proper or, at least cxcusable.
If it is matter of moment to the editor of
the Herald to know exactly what proportion
of Vermont Republicans are prepared to en-
dorsc the administration without stint or
qualification" he is Mt perfect liberty to insti-
tute canvass but We are content in the as
surance that the great body of Republican
voters throughout the State are in substantial
sympathy with the ideas which President
| Hayes has expressed on the subject of civil
service reform, and in view of the opposition
which lie has met with from Congress, are
not disposed to lay the blame for partial fail
ure at his door
OF course, the Herald is gracious enough to
offer the stcreotyped apology about the Pres
| ident's purity and honesty of intention, -
coupled with his singular lack of political
sagacity and common sense :" but that sort
of back handed apology is about worn out
it is becoming threadbare. Rutherford b.
Hayes representative in Congress and thrice
honored Governor of Ohio, political green
ey! Tell it not to the Democrats of his ma
tive State. Tell it not to the delegates at the
Cincinnati convention. Tell it not to Sam
uel J. Tilden. Tell it not to James G. Blaine
or Roscoe Conkling. No! let no such ex-
cuse for the President as this be offered let
him be held fully accountable for his acts, If,
by his acceptance of false and impracticable'
theories, and an "amiable stubbornness' in
declining to accept the counsel of politicians
of the bread and butter persuasion, the charge
is laid upon him of having brought ruin upon
his party, let not the offence be paliated on
the ground of inexperience in the field OF
politics or ignorance of the requirements OF
party obligations No believers in the
adoption of higher code of political morali-
ty, and in the dawning of n nobler future foi
the party to which Mr.. Hayes has never YET
abandoned his allegiance, desire to ask nj
apologies for his course in seeking TO carry
out, in accordance with the light tat is il
him, the reform sentiments TO which both h,
and his party stand committed; and neither
do they-nor will the country-forget tina
the calamities which have so weakened ant
distracted the Republican party were brough
! upon it by agencies which long antedate Mr.