The New York herald., 1878-02-11

Kellogg is SO bad man. but because his admis-
sion seemed show that tho President
did not clearly comprehend his own policy; and also
because the times are such that the President, II he
saw Into the future, as he ought. being President
ought have taken great pains the Sem
ate u thoroughly sound man all the questions now
TO arise, Spodord Is, instead OF adventurer
and political gambler like Kellogg. Sponord would
have heped by speech and vote defeat the Silver
bill but what will Kellogg do Who knowss The
defeat OF tho New York nominations gave
me another shock; not because the Pros-
dent beaten by Mr.. ConKling; but because
OF tho causes which led TO that defeat, and
which lay primarily in the feeling among Senators that
Mr. Hayes was not consistent He had nominated 10
Office his own favortes and now he sought to expel
the iavortes OF Senator there lay OF tho
Of his defeat But even than this he endeavored
to remove Arthur and Cornell while he retained
Simmons, reappointed Flley in st. Louis and,
worst OF all, kept In Office Madison Wells In
New Orleans, man OF whom General
Shoridan's report spoke In just terms, as
both dsreputabls and mischevous That Ia TO say,
the President had destroyed his moral predoninance
over the Senate by his acts, and he either did
not choose or did not know how TO make friends In
the common way by tho use OF patronage His defeat
IN the New York nominations placed Mr.. Conkling at
than that, prostratsd the Presidents influence.
Since then the Senate has fought over the nomipa-
,ons on no principle whatever; and a good nomina-
ton like that OF Williamson in New Orleans 10 as
likely 10 be beaten bad one. II Is not proper 70
blame the Senate for this II ID the President who
has demoralized the Senate In October and Novem-
Der he could have commanded the confirmation OF
every nomination, and not merely by democratic
voIes A firm, consistent and courageous course
would have brought MIN the greater and best part
Of the republicans large majority OF the Senate,
taking both parties together favor good government
but they looked to the President Tor example and
leadership and he has shown mother. Hence the de
morazltion which has come about and which has
dent on the silver question, which does not
seem TO TO be cbargeabic TO masterlv
inactivity 1t may be that his veto will deeat tho
BILL though that Is by no means certain in my judg
ment But meantime the agitation, permitted by his
inactlon to to such dangerous lengths, has already
brought calamies tho country, in the sta2nation
Of trade, the Increase OF bankruptcies and the return
of our bonds. Sound craftsmanship In the White
House would have taken the greatest pains to give
assurance to the country and permancnce to its
affairs"
This is q toerably severe judgment, but 1t Is in the
words OF member of Congress who has been one Of
the sincerest well wishers OF the President, and 1t
presses the opinions Of many good men herewho arc
not affected by political hopes or rescntments
MR.. BELMONr's LETTER IN WASHINGTON GEN:
LRAL ATTENTION ATTRACTED.
Tho letter Of Mr. August Belmont in yesterday's
HERALD has attracted general attention here and Is
spoken of Of the abest clearest cxpositons
of the silver question which has anywhere appeared.
1t has been sent In number oil cases by opponents Of
tho Bland bull TO their colleagues supporting that bill
In the belief that 1t cannot fail 10 produce impress
sion them If they desire to do right and there is
strong desire among tho opponents OF the bill that
Mr. Bolmont's letter shall be immediately aud very
widely circulated throughout thascountry a docu-
ment which will DO OF the greatest to enlighten
and inform public opinion.
at covers tho whole ground and states the question
clearly in every Wow of 1t and in direct and
manly style that t will appeal to honesty and good
wherever It Is read, Representative remarked
TO- day aboutit
THE PATRONAGE OF THE POST OFFICE DEPART
MENT-A NEW RULE AND ANOTHER elbow
AT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY"
new rule just adopted by the Postmaster General
creates furry in republican circles here. 1t has
been the custom to ask republican representatives
and Senators to nominate Posmasters for the
smaller towns and Tor country districts, and tho
HERALD Days ago commented oditoriaIy
on tho printed circulars sent to represen tatves
from the Post Oaico Department, asking them to
recommend to these petty postmastcrships. Post
master General Key has now detcrmincG, with tho
approval Of the President that when vacancies OF this
kind arc to be ned the postmaster OF the largest
neghboring city shall be required select rocom.
mend tho persons to eli them The department here Of
course passing upon such recommendation and hold.
ing tho larger postmastcrs responsible where their
selections confirmed by tho Postmaster General
Some Western members OF Congress feel Indignant
ut this loss Of patronage They believe 1t TO be
another insidious blow at the republican party and
are more than convinced that the Presidents
Southern policy Is o failure. Those however, who re-
member how viciously tho country postmaster used
to kick up his heels under the last adm inistraton,
and who the exact relation between the appoint
ment Of petty postmasters ana tho denomination OF
some members Of Congress do not feel badly about
the change. 1t will generally bo found that man
really At 10 be 10 Congress noshng about such
patronage aud is glad to have Il taken away