The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1879-12-11
TIE PRESIDENT AS 4 PREACH


L b.. l-,'cs 0f acceptance, in bis ir-
apgur7l, snd il a.! his my,s ges, Mr.
H4ys isas proaouzced for civil service
r.;cTm. SUI as s-esrDes'ls in the past, as
he does Ya1, di he cls.m that ccDps.
ti,ive tests sbou q 6e applied ,n es;i
plste The csud!Gait's Il l.ss for posi-
tior. just a. positively in the pat as
be does yow, too, did he condlmn his
psr;y'a ;feoIy of demanding per cent
contributions upon salaries for the fur
therence of political aims. His theories
are pretty erough, and If carried out
would undoubtedly put the civil ser
vice in a condition of the greatest efi-
cheney, but while he sermonises he
signally fails to practice that which he
breaches. When NJ. Hayes, in bis first
mes age, placed hiusslf on the record
in favor of this very Lice sys-
TEN Of civil service reform be received
the unqualified plau'!i,s OF all honest
people, ard his pol cal opponents felt
satisfied. in fpi.e of his unrighteous
induction into office, that he would at
least justly and righteously administer
the sffairs of government. Iu' honest
ly expressing himself, however. he did
violence to the law!ess aud corrupt
party which secured him power, and
crIngiDg ct last before its uncomprom-
ising and unholy leaders he succumbed
fell frcm lhe exalted position he had
assumed and became at last the suppli-
ant tool of those whom lie had Offend
ed. in what We may believe was nat
ural impulse to be just. Tie picture
is rot calcu a!ed to charm those pos
sesslpg purity OF sentiment, nor
does it exhalt HIM 10 the estimstiou O.
those who cOatrol him. Mr.. HAyes
has lest on all sides, by apparent il
sincerity in oce direction, and 3y ina
b;lity to command or control IN the
other. He says, aud has said before
that the number Of applications for
# flee make it necessary t, inquire iuto
both the character and the competency
of applicants, when the pittiable fact
presents iteelf that there is not a villain
of returning board rotoriety who has
been unrewarded by him fer iraudu-
lent p aGtices with the best of offices.
Besides, he has made appointments
ime and again purely upon par
tisau grounds, and entirely regardless
of fitness for position. Ia doing these
things he was simply rewardiug
men for dlsbonest services
rendered to himself, and to
ubserve the purposes of his party,
and to CRAFTY Inc wishes of those
controlling il. TIE pfs ton assumed
by sir. Hayes towards Cjfnsll, while
the latter pesiGei over ,be Gus. ON
hLuse and itsring in Ncw Y 'ik, is cot
forgotten. lis movement sgainst Cor
nell was successful, bu: directly there
alter he uncoidirnnally surrendered to
, nkling and tie otber s'alwaTts. and
utterly bereE OF individuality be
bas funk to the positit n Of a tool in
the hands o. bold and wicked par,i-
sane. Cornell was dismissed from tie
service becsuse of his refusal t. adopt
the reforms demanded OF him, but il
the humblest submission mas Mr.. H4yIs
repented L honesty and We have just
seen him lending the Influence of gov
ernment 10 the election ofthis self same
man as Governor of the 8 ate of
New Yok, where he may especislly
enjoy the benefits accorded offi.ia's Of
tsstes not entirely peculiar to Cornell.
The President should have said little
if anything in his messale upon civil
service reform. Faith has been lost in
his professions, and while he breaches
the same pretty sermoD, the third time,
he only calls public attention to the
fact that he Goes not mesn what he
says, that he has 30 idea Or ability to
practice what he breaches.