davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18


Some Of the comments on Mr. Edmunds's
letter to the President seem to 90 upon the
assumption that he recommends some sweep
ing change in the mode of making appoint
ments; and that this indicates some great
change of views and practice on his part.
Neither Of these things are so. Mr.. Edmunds
recommends that hereafter Senators and Rep
resentatives cease to make recommendations
for appointments, eaoept when requested so to
do bY the appointing power. Now, if it had
never been the practice for the Departments
to ask Senators and Congressman to make
recommendations for appointments. and if no
such request were to be made in future and
IT, consequently, no such recommendations
were hereafter to be made by Congressmen
that would indeed be a very great change.
Bat 1t has been the practice, in relation to
large classes of appointments. for the heads
OF Departments to ask the Senators and Repre-
sentatives to make nominations for the places
Thus, if the commission of a postmaster were
ABOUT to expire in a district represented by
Republican, and no recommendation from the
Congressman in regard to it was on file, the
appointment clerk would address a note to
the Congressman informing him tina: such a
commission was about to expire and request
ing him to name man for the place Of
course, Senators and Congressman might cease
hereafter to volunteer recommendations for
Office yet, it. as heretofore, their endorse
ments should be requested, as regular
thing, where they were not volunteered and
should be allowed, as heretofore, to practical
ly decide the appointments, there would be
little change of methods but no very
material change a. to results,-no essential
change of the system
Nor Is it best to have a change of syste IN |
TILL something clearly better can take its
place. We see, as plainly as anybody, the
evils oi system which makes the civil |
officers dependent on the personal favor of |
the Congressman. If the Congressman Is an
intriguing, self-seeking man, such a de pend
ence becomes most humiliating to the Office
holders, and corrupting to the service On
the other hand, If the Congressman is a high
minded, and careful, and iudicious nun,
the best class Of appointments may be secur-
ed uncer such system. and the evils of it
be reduced to a minimum. But clearly there
must be some system of dividing response
bility in this matter The President, or the
Cabinet officers, who are bis clerks in the
matter of appointments, cannot know any
hing about one in a thousand of the ap-
1lIcants Tor appointments. Strings Of
James mean nothing, whatever, wit bout
ome guaranty that they are genu-
ne and entitled to respect Some
'erson or persons, 10 position to
,now, must practically decide between az
'lieants, and be held to responsibility for the
ecisions. There are evils about the present
Method, Would it be a better one to re
urn, for instance, TO the one in use in
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18

form The sage experience, the Lively dis
cusslOn-the iraternal greeting and faro
well, rise up before me in pleasant pictures
OF kindness and Dianly Intercourse. Over
these comes the pensiye hour OF sadness at
the absence Of some familiar and honored
forms that are painfully missed from the
scene. Sadness como over us as we look to
the vacant place once occupied by our fellow
member. and an honest and honOred fellow
citizen. Horace L. Hoxie. of Milton. lie
has gone to his rest, after a life OF useful
ness TO his town and this Association. In
justice to his memory. let US here acknow-
ledge that we never saw in him llstless or
an Improbable member. he was never with
out some valuable suggestion. Long may
his memory be cherished, and his example
emulated.
Let me close with my most earnest en-
treaties that you will not only preserve this
organization, but widen and pOpularlze it
more and more, and strive to educate the
farmer and dairyman up to higher plane.
The education needed is that which would
qualify the dairymsn for all his relations
and duties, both as farmer and citizen.
We want such schools as shall combine
theory and practice, science and art, labor
and study, and simultaneously teach the
head to devise, and the hand to execute.
We want such system OF physical and in
teliectual training for our sons, as shall
develop the man in the symmetry and glory
OF true mankind-a system which shall
couple the mental exercises of the school
room with the invigorating labor of the
field then science will pour her sunlight
upon agriculture, guiding and cheering her
on to nobler, discoveries and grander and
higher achievements. Applause,
The Association then adjourned for dinner.
Concluded next week
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18

this State under President Pierce, when the
late Hon. D. A. Smalley controlled every
federal appointment in Vermont?
The problem is very difficult one but
Mr.. Edmunds believes that an improvement
may be made by the adoption of Flaw of
definite regulations " in regard to many of
fees and employments. Such system OF
definite regulations the Civil Service Com
mission, under President Grant, attempted
to establish, with what success the country
knows. Perhaps an effort to re establish
that system, or a modification of it, or bet
ter one, if one can he devised, would stand a
better chance now.
As to Senator Ed.aunds's individual course,
it is well known that he favored civil SER
vice reform under the administration of
General Grant, and protested to gov
ern himself by the principles laid
down by the Civil Service Commission.
His position now is consistent with his posi-
ton then. Nor is there any necessary in
consistency between his views, as expressed
in his letter, and his action in the case Of
the New York Custom House Offices. If he
voted to reject Mr.. Roosevelt simply because
not in accordance with his views as now ex-
pressed. But if he voted as he did because
,ha pr;nc;plaS If oivil sarviao raforp 70
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18
Senator EdmuuuS'S Letter.

Mr.. Edmunds's advocacy of sound doc
trine on this subject will be regarded with
satisfaction and, we are sorry to say, also
with surprise-surprise, because Mr.. Ed
munds's course in the Senate Of late has
been such as to suggest that he was not
on the Presidents side, but rather on the
side of the machine politicians. 1t is to
be hoped that this letter is new declar-
atioL of independence which will be made
good the next time the Senate is called
upon to say by its vote whether the appoint
ing power belongs to the President or is
the private property of its several members
N. Y. Erening Post.
Senator Edmunds's letter to the Presi-
dent is a political event of irst,rate i'm
portance, scarcely second to the extinction
of Bill Chandler in New Hampshire. 1t
shows the leading Senator from New Eng
land to be actively alive to the evils of
the present methods of distributing patron
age, and entirely in accord" with Mr.
Hayes's policy as to "what ought to be
the independence of the executive in max
ing nominations and submitting treaties,
and the independence of the Senate in act
ing thereon :" also that Mr. Edmunds be-
HeEcs IN tue prac.lchDlllty hencelOrth OF
dispensing the great body of patronage IN
der a system of definite regulations y Mr.
Edmunds, in other words, is ready to well
come reform in the appointments to the
civil ervice.-Sprinlteid Republican.
Senator Edmunds has written an elaborate
letter to show President Hayes how scnrvily
Senator Edmunds behaved in the matter OF
the New York nOminations.-N Y World.
The value of his letter, however, is not
50 much in its practical suggestions as in the
proof it affords that the disagreement be
tween the President and the Radical Re-
publican Senators is not so wide as many
people nave imagined, and that there is no
point of difference which may not be remov.
ed by the mutual exercise Of good temper
and good sense.-IriJme.
The letter of Senator Edmunds mas caused
a general stir here to-day, and has proved
serious blow to those who seemed to be
organizing against the Presidents positions,
which Mr. Edmunds now supports and de-
tends. The Presidents friends are greatly
pleased, both with the letter and its effect
" dshingioH Despatch.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18

SENATOR EpxUNDs has written a letter tc
the President upon the subject of the relations
of Congressman to the Executive in the mat
ter Of appointments, in response to request
from the President for his opinion. The sub
stance Of the letter, as given in Washing
ton despatch, is this: Edmunds is in accord
with the President views upon the subject
The Senate and Executive should be indeper
dent. Information from Congressman is to
some degree necessary, but the practical
usurpation of the appointing power by Con-
gressmen is wrong, and perversiOn of the
Constitution. L, is Injurious to the Office
holder, in that it destroys the liberty Of the
citizen, or cramps his liberty |: is even
more Injurious in the relations between the
Executive ard Congress. The Executive,
under such system is liable to be Influenced
by desire to secure appropriations Or have
nominations confirmed. and the action of
Congressman is liable to be Influenced by
what is expected to be done or omitted by
the Executive If this doe. not imply cor
ruption, it implies bias and self-interest. The
distinct separation Of the branches Of the
Government should be maintained. Mr.. Ed
munds thinks the best results could be &C
conplished if CongressmeD abstained from
recommending nominations Mr.. Edmunds
says be does this, but if his constituents in
Office are wronged, seeks to right wrongs.
Volunteer advice from Congressman should
cease Whatever course is pursued should
be Uniform. Any other system would be
vicious. Under such a system, Office holders
would be servants of the law and not tenant.
at the .ill Of Congressman.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18

SENATOR'S EDNuNDs AND MORRILL, have re-
Gently made application to the Secretary of
the Treasury to reverse the order of the de-
partment issued over r. year ago permitting
goods transported through the United States
from Canada, for expectation from Portland,
Boston or New York, to be carried through
in sealed cars to the port from which they
are to be exported, without examination or
entry at the custom house at Island Pond.
This is an old controversy. When Mr..
Bristow was Secretary Of the Treasury he re-
yersed the former action of the department,
and issued an order requiring the entry OF
all such goods to be made at the first port on
the frontier, which was Island Pond. The
collector of Portland, of course. was not
suited and Sir Edward Thornton submitted
a protest on behalf of the Dominion, against
the order, maintaining that it was not in &C
cordance with the stipulations of the treaty
of Washington. When the Hon. Lot NJ.
horTlll, Vi hdlue, succeeueu NIX DEisto" as
Secretary of the Treasury, he revoked the
order and decided that goots in sealed cars,
destined for expectation, could be sent from
any point in Canada through the United
States to the ports from which they were to
be exported. Senator Edmunds, in asking
to have the matter reopened, claims that the
order of Mr.. Bristow stopping and unload
ing the cars at Island Pond was not contrary
to the treaty of Washington. and that the
present system of permitting the cars to 20
through to Portland or Boston, without ex-
animation, results in considerable loss of rev.
enue to the Government. Secretary Sherman
has the subject under consideration.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18

The House of Representatives having (by
the meagre majority of four yotes) carried
Mr.. Woods resolution for general Sc
ries of Congressional Investigations, We
may expect TO see the drag net for Dem
ocratic capital in active operation, dur
ing the rest of the present Congress. If
the Republicans cannot stand it as well as
the Democrats, the result will be different
from those of previous Investigations. Among
the subjects which the scandal crusaders espe-
cially desire to investigate are these Alleged
frauds in the letting of valuable mail routes
in the later part of General Grants Admins
tration alleged frauds in construction con-.
tracts let by Secretary Robinson, a few days
before he ceased to have control of the Navy
the old Jobs of the District ring the alleged
combinations which resulted in the defeat of
the filibusters against the Electoral bill
the Louisiana, Florida and South Carolina
Presidential votes the restoration to rank
In the Army and Navy OF hunkle anu IRA
per; expenditures on public buildings
throughout the country the alleged mis-
management of the Agricultural Bureau
under the former Commissioner the Indian
ring question the secret history of the
of troops in the South the alleg-
ed violation of law in refusing arms to South
ern militia; the allegations of duplicity in
the diplomatic relations of the United States
with Mexico and in connection with the nom
Of Diaz the Offices of the Terri
tories the accounts of the expenditures OF
the House from the Nth Congress until
now, including all the Investigations; pry-
ing inquest into the operations of every de-
and bureau of the Government,
especially into alleged frauds in the reissue
Of bonds and currency and whatever other
subjects the malice and ingenuity of parti-
sans can invent.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18

OVER THE LAKE.-The Plattsburgh Sen
incl thus waileth 1.-The taxes on the real
estate OF our small property owners is from
one-fourth to One-th!rd larger this wear
than ever before. Personal property escapes
easier. and some of our capitalists get off
with less taxes than usual. There is great
inequality and injustice somewhere and we
hope some one Will give the matter thor
ough investigation, with the view of apply
ing remedy"
A son of Julia Garrant, of Plattsburgh,
aged four years, was burned to death the
other day. by playing with matches. Its
clothes were burned off completely, and its
flesh burned to a crisp.
John Z. Earl, of Whitehall. has been ap-
pointed assignee of Henry COssey, the we'll
known boat builder OF Ticonderogs.
The Crown Point Iron Company will re-
light the fires in their blast furnace Feb.
ruary l-t, it having been closed since July
4th, for repairs.
Congress, was accompanied by Mrs VIII
liams. and their daughter. Miss Ina Williams
Col. IL. J. Persons. the widely known
landlord of Westport. died of apoplexy.
Saturday, Dec %, 1877, aged "A years.
The Adjutant- General OF New York urges
the organization of military company in
each county in the State where there is no
regiment or battalion
Plattsburgh is to have horse nail fac
tory, operated by a company having S4O,-
900 capital stock
Port Henry will be Illuminated with gas
about the 25th inst. The price is placed at
$3.50 per thousand cubic feet.
The other day, near Plattsburgh, two
hunters killed 3l0-pound black bear.
A 3O0-pound deer ran into Plattsburgh,
last week, and thereby met with a violent
death
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18

SENATOR EDNUNps's letter to the President
will commend itself generally, as sound
and iudicious utterance. His suggestion that
it will hardly do to have one rule for ap-
poiptments in one section OF the country
and another in another section, touches a
pretty sensitive spot il the practice of the
present Administration, and 1t is to be hop
ed il will be heeded.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18

Tx Washington Department of Agrlc ul-
ture, which recently made the announce
ment that tea could be made profitable crop
in some portions of the country, has followed
up the statement by declaring that coffee can
be successfully cultivated in Florida, Texas,
and the southern portions of California. To
compete with the imported article in price,
ho,vever- cheap labor i necessary.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18

LONDON DISPATCHES say that the British
feet have been ordered to the Levant, and
the homeward bound troops from India have
been detained at Malta.
Constantinople advices say that the popu-
lation are irritated against England, who, it
is declared, is morally responsible for Tur-
keys misfortunes.
The Porte has sent two plenipotentiaries
to the Russian headquarters, fully empower
ed to treat for an armi,tce without any fur
Their reference to Constantinople.
Vienna letters state that at the Shipka
Pass the Russians captured 2S, 900 men,
1000 horses, u mortars, IL siege guns and
so field guns.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18

THERE seems to be no reason to doubt that
the Office of United States District-Attorpey
of South Carolina was offered to Hon ID. T.
Corbin, and that he declined the office The
President thereupon re- nominated for the
place, Lucius c. Northrop. Northrop was
nominated at the extra session, and was re-
ported adversely by the Judiciary committee,
after which bis name was Withdrawn by the
President, A despatch to the New York
Times says: sit would seem, therefore, that
the President had it in his mind to renomin-
ate NOrthrup, unless Corbin would accept
the position ; but, of course, no one bat
himself can explain the operation of his
mind in making the selection. Corbin is one
OF the strongest opponents of the Hampton
regime and of their political schemes, while
Northrup is to all intents and purposes
Hampton man, and it is very singular
thing, to Republican Senators who have had
their attention called to the matter, that the
President could have in contemplation at the
same time two appointments so opposed in
character. Northrup was reported adverse
ly from the Judiciary committee on two
grounds; First, that he made an unseemy
and discredita6le speech after his appoint
ment as District-Attorney, last Summer, and,
secondly. and, some members of the com
mittee would say, chiefly, because he is not
regarded a. lawyer of sufficient ability and
standing to fill the office. 1t can hardly be
doubted that the report of the committee
will again be adverse. and unless the Re-
publican Senators soiidly vote for Northrup's
rejection there will be somewhat exciting
contest whenever his case is reached in
executive session"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18
THE TEXAS BORDER TROUBLES.
A LETTER FRO. cav. HUBBARD TO THE PREsI-
DENT.

LETTER FROG GOV. HUBBARD TO TIE FRESI-
DENT.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas. Jan. Ex-Governor
Hubbard has forwarded to President Hayes
a full statement Of the border troubles since
the beginning, over a score of years ago,
quoting authorities that bear upon the
duties of the United States in respect to its
citizens when their rights are invaded
and citing at least the most outrageous of
these invasions since the treaty of Guada
lupe Hidalgo was signed.
CHAPTER OF oUTRAGEs AND HORRORS.
The Governors charges are first. i. has
been depredatory war, second, the custom
house officials have been murdered, custom
houses taken and robbed, pOstOfiices robbed
and burned, hundreds OF citizens killed and
some tortured. Vim. Mcmahon, for instance.
had his legs cut off and was forced to walk
on the s.umps. Another was chained and a
harrow placed on him, and was burned
while in his own house. within five miles of
Corpus Christi. Women had been made pris-
oners and subjected to horrible treatment
third. many millions worth of property
had been taken from Texas owners carried
into Mexico and sold in public markets
fourth, Mexico has furnished an asylum for
robbers and place of deposit for stolen
goods fifth, the Mexican government has
been notified many times by ours of the ex-
istence Of these evils but has not restrained
its citizens and refuses to permit the United
States to break up the hostile bands which
commit the atrocities and declared the at
tempt to do 50 cause for war; sixth,
Mexico has refused to execute the eItradi-
ton treaty bv not surrendering raiders
who were themselves the enemies OF
mankind, BY breaking the Jail of
Starr county. releasing the prisoners
therefrom and mortally wounding our peace
officers and by turning loose fugitives under
indictment for murder in Texas and regu-
larly demanded by our commissioner of ex-
tradition seventh, Mexico has afforded
asylums to the Indians and permitted them
to use her territory to set on foot expedi-
tions to invade the territory of the United
States and to urge savage warfare upon the
people o. Texas, including within its scope
every age and sex. Children have been
captured in Texas and carried into Mexico
and held as slaves The governor
asserts that Texas does not want war but
simply protection from Mexican violence.
He charges that the San Elizari0 mob who
shot Howard, Mcbride and Atkinson was
composed largely of Mexican citizens, and
says Mexico should make amends for the
crimes committed by her citizens.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18
A Thrifty Community.

The statistics of the productions of Grand
Isle, published by Us in last weeks issue
reveal what was indeed well-known before,
that the farmers of the island form thrifty
community. The products of their farms
divided equally among the population would
have given to every man, woman and child
on the island, last year, over hrty-sir
bushels of grain (ineluding beans and peas)
fit for the food of man !; .torty-eigM bushels
of oats; fifteen bushels of potatoes; fifteen
bushels of apples; serenfy-t,ro pounds Of
butter; ticenty-sar dozen eggs, and thirty
fire pounds of wool, besides other products.
The value of the products to each cultivated
acre, we have not computed; but it is plain
that the Grand Islander, raise enough to eat,
and handsome surplus to sell.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18

The New York World has noticeable
article on the project to formally impeaeh
President i!ayes's title to his office. 1t asks
Do those Democrats, in or out of Con
gress, who inspired or constructed or de-
Tended or tolerated the Electoral Commits
sion, or those Democrats in the House who
agreed to consent that Mr.. Hayes should 60
into Office if he would promise to execute
certain pledges when in power, Just as every
candidate does in his letter of acceptance,
propose now to repudiate their own work so
long as Mr.. Hayes remains faithful to his
part of the understanding
1t further calls attention to the "signif-
cant fact that whatever demand has been
made anywhere in this country for re-ex-
posure of the corruptions and rascalities of
the last Presidential campaign, has come
either from notorious Northern Radicals of
the machine class or from recent supporters
of Mr.. Tilden who before his nomination
had in one way or another identified them
selves since the outbreak of the civil war
with the worst and bitterest elements of the
Radical party
The practical futility of the performance is
thus pointed out by the World
When they have got the facts out, let
them devise process by which President
in Office can be impeached for deeds done
before he became President, and then lay
the whole matter before the country and the
Democrats in Congress, If Hayes can then
be expelled from power, Wheeler, We sup
pose, would reign in his stead, unless in
deed, while they are at it, the Radical inves-
tigaiors can invent means by which to get
a Vice President impeached for acts done
without his knowledge by another man who
through those acts became President. In
that case, We suppose the Presidency would
devolye on the President of the Senate pro
tenpOre. Perhaps Senator Conkling might
not object to that
In fine, the World strongly advises the
Democrats to have nothing to do with the
business. But there is little likelihood that
Tilden, Blair and Company, will follow its
advice.