The Portland daily press., 1878-10-01
TERMS $500 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE

lack OF magnanimity, even this small conces-
sion was refused and the first sentence in the
seventh resolution denounces the removal Of
Arthur and Cornell by claiming "the elevation
Oh tine public service on the basis of secure
tenure during the faithful performance OF Off
cial duties for fixed term"
However, at this stage of the PROCEEDINGS Mr..
Curtis was not disposed to be bellicose. There
would have been more of temerity than Of cour.
age in undertaking the advocacy of the best
cause In the world against such odds; there
were probably not forty men in the five hundred
who sympathized at all with his peculiar views
in respect of the Washington authorities, and
OF these, three quarters were restrained by in
structions from constituents, or considerations
OF expediency, from openly enlsting under his
banner. And whsn it came to defending an
administration that really was open to some
criticism for slight deviatons from that rigid
rule OF civil service reform, of which Mr.. Curtis
is the author and exponent, the difficulty grew
still more formidable. and prudence dictated
the policy of keeping open a line of retreat.
1t was not to be wondered at therefore, that
when the Convention was called to order and
the motion made that Senator Conkling should
preside over its deliberations, it was not only
carried without dissenting voice, but with an
enthusiasm which displays itself on such occa-
sions with tremendous vociferations; nor that
the speech with which the Senator initiated the
proceedings was listened to during the hour
and half it lasted, with the most profound
attention aud Interrupted by frequent cheers.
ALI was plain sailing after that The only 9th
er incident worthy of spscial note, was the ris-
ing of Mr.. Curtis Immediately following the
reafing OF the series of resolutions HIS en-
dorsement of them was anticipated. Ths only
alternative was retreat, bat that was some
thing which had merely to bs done gracefully
to relieve it of its disagreeableness. Mr.. Cur
tis availed himself of his opportunity aud In
laying down his arms and renewing his allegi-
anc' to the REPUBLICAN party he plantsi HIN.
self upon much more creditabls aud tenable
platform than he has occupied since he separ-
sted from his sixty-nine associates ia
the Cincinnati Convention in June, 1876
and voted at every ballot for a presidential
candidate who more than all others had used
official patronage for the fartherance of person.
al ambition.
The contrast between the attitude Of the city
papers on the Saratoga convention this year,
and the Rochester convention last, furnishes an
amusing commentary on the fickleness and in
constancy of the press. Last year Mr.. Conkline
was assailed with perfect TRADE of vulgar ep.
ithets; this year his course meets with a good
deal of praise, and those journalists who seem
to make it rule never to say decent word
about him gruut a sort Of sullsn acquiescencs
in the results of the convention. 1t will be per-
ceved that he occupies precisely the same
position now that he did then; that he hasn't
changed by 80 much as a hairs breadth, and
that all the adverse criticisms on the proceed
ings In Rochestersin 1877 have proved to be i'm
mitigable rubbish and nonsense. All which
goes to show thata statesman has only to fol-
low bis own convictions with calm Indifference
to popular clamor, aud the m altitude will
come round all right sooner or later.
1t is to be hoped tie Senator's sreech will
set at rest all doubts as to his soundnsss on the
currency question, though for that matter 1t is
not easy to believe that any person of ordinary
intelligence, who is at all observant Of passing
events could have felt any uncertainty about il.
He not only has been at all times hard money
man, but his views on that point are so radical
that he voted against the legal tender act be-
lieving it to be unconstitutional. Nobody here
abouts, who makes any pretensons to being
public instructor either as writer or speaker
has the slightest excuse for being ignorant Of
the uncompromisipg frmness with which the
New York Senator has adhered to his original
hard money tenets during his whole public ca
reer. His constituents have never felt any dis
trust of him either in that or any other matter.
The Convention besides all its other good ef-
fscts has shown conclusively what perfect con-
fidence the Republicans of New York have In
their representative in the Senate. 1t is q very
good sign of the manhood and worth of the
people that they are not lacking in appreciation
OF the services of public men who have been
Uniformly faithful to their interests.
YARMOUTH.