National Republican., 1878-07-13


declaration that they were, beyond all other |
officials of the civil service, the two officers
Of high grade in the enjoyment of Execu-
tive Patronage who ought not to have been
disturbed. The Senate examined, faithfully
and carefully, all the circumstances con-
neCtcd with their official transactions The
scrutiny Of this examination served to in
duce even the Presidents sympathizer5 and
warm friends IN the Senate to withhold seri-
ous opposition to their retention in office.
The rejection Of the nominees to suppant
them. which then followed, could not have
been and cannot now be, construed as any
thing more nor less than the most emphatic
Endorsement of their abilities as officers, and
an exculpation from any and every intima-
tion or charge that they were unworthy to
I've retained in the Government service. In
short the action Of the Senate clothed them
with every safeguard provided for by the
theory Of civil-service reform with which to
protect their tenure.
This Is the calm and dispassionate view
of the case that follows from its serious con-
sideratiou and O close analysis of all the
facts connected with II and it Is q view
that is not disturbed or weakened by the
fact that Mcssrs. MERRITT and BURT were
promoted to I'LL the vacancies occasioncd by
these removals. In truth, these promotions
are thereby exposed in their true light Ms
sham prctenses and flimsy excuses, intended
to gull the public with an ostcntatious show
| of adherence to the civil service humbug.
But they are Of q piece with nearly all the
appointments or nominations made by Pres
idcnt HAYES. Where he has de-
parted from the inspirations that led
him to make these snowy promo
tions, he has deviated from his per-
sistent policy of being governed by personal
influences and the preiudices of the mon
grel Cabinet with which he has surrounded
himself At the outset Of his Presidential
career, even in his letter accepting the Gin
cinnati nomination, he announced his de-
termination not to permit Congressman to
influence him as regards the distribution of
Executive patronage, and impudently arro-
gated to himself superior knowledge and
efficiency in selecting proper persons TO
hold offices in every section of the
country. The fact that the per-
sonal acquaintance with Office
seekers enjoyed by Congressman with ap-
plicants from their respective localities
would enable them to give him an intelli-
gent idea of their qualifications was ig-
norcd, and, with unblushing effrontcry, he
assumed the powers Of dictator rs regards
that patronage assumed one-man power
so to speak, to the exclusion Of the advice
and information of men who were In every
way his equals in ability to make the selec-
tons in question, and who were certainly
his superiors in the matter of especial
knowledge regarding the immediate re.
quirements of each individual case. In
nine cases out Of ten he has adhered TO this
onc-man power policy but in those wherein
he did not he confessed its impudent
and imprudent nature. As rule, how,
ever, he has called upon the open enc
mics of the Republican party, who wcr'
by the same token the enemies of III,
Republic, for advice in the premises. A few
variations from this practice furnished evi
dence of his inclination 10 further disregard
the consistent propricties of his elcctiy,
position by calling upon the malcontcnt
within the party, upon men who few year
ago acted with the Democracy in a fusioi
: which was boldly and openly announce,
I to be designed for the overthrow o
Republican principles, for additional ant
: clinching advice. In short, he seems Il
be so constituted that he cannot look arOun,
him for friends among those who electe,
: him to Office, and who formulated the plat
form of principles and devotion to good gov
, ernment, for which the people voted whe
I they voted the Republican ticket in 1871
On the contrary, he constantly gropes abou
:, among his natural enemies, and the natura
a enemies Of the party to which he is, by tn
grace of great imaginative powers, suppose
10 belong.
But there is q development Of cowardice
and of sneaking intrigue in this last act O
/, his that was unexpected. He did not dar
- to attempt second time while the Senat
was yet in session to remove these tw
!, officials The first attempt met witt
!, such an emphatic rebukc that he kue,
:, a second one would be accepted as an in
4 suit to the majority of the Senate an
:. treated rs an open declaration of war by tn
:, so-calIed Stalwarts of the party. Besides
:, his tenure of office was insecure and he ha
~ need in preserving it of the aid of thos
- whom lie has now snubbed and disr
garded. At that time it was lis habit t
talk about the possibility of aare-up,
n meaning thereby serious difficulty regard
r ing his retention of his own office. In
e. pressed with this fear of personal or of
d cial safety, he allowed the political watel
lo to remain undisturbed by any troublesom
10 agency for which he might be held respor
rs siblc. Meanwhile the StalwaIts and tn
al weak -kneed, the Radicals and the tru
" conservatives Of the country, rallied for Il
" preservation of peace and tranquil goverl
lie ment As it was pointedly expressed
as these columns the marriage certihcate-i.
Of the Presidential title-was assaied and Il
c. Stalwarts defended it, regardless Of subs
< quent lack of political chastity by one