Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-07
The New York Custom House Nominations.

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removal of Collector Arthur was clearly
blunder. While the New York custOI
house is not and never has been a perfeC
institution, it is true that wide and II
telligent public opinion credited Mr.. Arthu
with marked improvement in its manage
ment He had the confidence and approve
of the New York merchants as class
and few stronger papers ever went iron
New York to Washington than that which
after the President indicated his intention
OF making change. requested the reten
ton of Collector Arthur in his office. Ii
was removed, not because he was ba
collector, or a bad man,-it was ADMITTED
by President Hayes and his advisers ina
he was neither, and they emphasized the al
mission by rendering him an imporIan
oih,e, after his REMOVAL because th'
President was then running his hobby o
diyorciag tho public service from politics
Federal oficeholders must let politics alone
Gen. Arthur was something OF politician
ne represented Senator Conkling who wa
a politician or nothing the machine was
to be reformed, and the collector was part
of the machine. The custom house mus
hereafter be run purely "On business
principles, and it was strangely consider
cd to he a sound business method to tarn
out public servant who had the conf
dencc Of the public and of the business
men who had most to do with the custom
house, and to give the place to man
who was, and is, more Of politician than
Mr. Arthur.
Senator Conklins had at that time the
party in New York State and elsewhere
strongly with him. The Presiden; thought
it beneath him to put any pressure on Sena-
tors to secure the confirmation Of his ap-
poiutnents, and they were rejected, and
Arthur was reinstated. 1t vas triumph
for Mr.. Conkling, and if he had been wise
he would have been content Herewith.
When the Senate adjourned, Collector Ar
thur was again suspended and Gen. Merritt
appointed lie was in the Office long enough,
before Congress met again and the case could
be re-opened, to get sOmewha. wonted in the
place, and to strengthen himself therein.
He. too, made very good collector. He is
a man Of ability and good character, and it
bo- hoo,, tb, oil liara N
o: prudence On the part of Senator Conk-
ling to make him his friend rather than his
en7mv. The Senator probably could not
renstste Arthur again, certainly could not
Ietain him permanently. Had Mr.. COnk-
ling been willing to acquiesce in the con-
frmation of Gen. Merritt, he would have
saved serious trouble for him1elf and for the
Republican party in the Empire State. But
he could not or would not sec it. lie re-
newed the contest with the Administration,
and forced the fighting. Secretary Sherman
took up the gauntlet in the Presidents
behalf, and having no scruples against the
use of necessary means TO secure desired
ends. he made it warm for the Senator.
His charges against Collector Arthur, though
promptly answered by the latter, and though
open to the objection thst they were an
afterthought, cOncocted II justify removal
really made on other grounds, had their eff
feet. His personsl influence and some of
the influence which the Administration
ought to possess was successfully exerted for
the confirmation of Gen. Merritt. The
aid of a majority OF the Democratic votes
md a minority Of the Republican votes.
What the result will be, politically, remains
TO be seen. That the controversy and its
,nting have left very sore feeling in the
minds Of many New York Republicans
md that it will not be an easy matter to
'ecure restoration of peace and harmony
between the Administration and the Conk-
ing men OF New York, who control abso-
utely the Republican party of the State,
: certain. We trust, however, that each |
idc Of the qrarrel mas learned something in
he course Of the dispute, and that personal |
will not be allowed to imperil |
he Republican ascendency in the Empire
state
1HE Pension arrearages law, which is |
likely . draw So heavily on the United
states Treasury. If Congress makes tho ap-
,ropriation of from $50,000,000 to $780,
100 900, which it is estimated will be re-
Iuired. under it, simply removes certain
csirictions in the previously existing pen
ion laws. The act of 1867, provided that
'ensions ijr disability incurred in the war
or the Union should commence from the
axe o! discharge, if the claim therefor was
led within one year from the date of dis
harge, but if not - filed. the pension should
from the date Of filing the ap-
lication. The subsequent act Of 1861,
AIRED ont all claims not prosecuted to a
lccessfu issue within FIVE years from the
ate OF filing, and provided that in every
asc in which claim for pension shall have
cen filed for more than three years after
le discharge or deceais Of the party, on
hose account the claim is made, the pen
on, II allowed, shall commence from the
ate OF filing toe last paper in the case.
he present law removes these limitations
eTmits claims to be filed at any time and
rovi1es that all pensioners be allowed
leir pensions from the tune Of discharge.
ms scare IN regard II American cattle, in
ngland and Canada, was a result Of the fact
lat 4 cargo o. cattle from Portland. Me-.
7 the steamer Ontario, arrived in London,
nd was condemned as being infected with
euro-paeumonih, and ordered to be slaugh- d,
red on the dock. A shipper. Mr.. I. C. ,
lstman, one of the largest dealers in cattle '
this country, very heavy shipper Of live
tile In Slmmcr, and Of dressed beef in ,
inter, when asked about the matter by a {
ew York Times reporter, DAY or two Il
nee, said really do not think
ere Is seiy much in H. handle +