The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-02-08


land. and whose appointment bv Prcsi-
dent HAYES was Well calculated To cx-
ritc disirust a. In the sincerity of the
reform professions Of the Admins
tratiun
Mslci a the President Was a. To the
character Of tie man To whose hands
he bad entrusted 80 large a share Of the
Federal patronage of the State. and
which had il fallen into WORTHY hands.
could have been legitmatrlv and hon
estly used To build up and strengthen
Repuhlicanism in MARYLAND. there were
s,i!lsom Republicans in the State weak
cnoughto hope that the pecuniarv emolu-
mcntS Of the office would satisfy the
cupidIty of Thomas. and that he would
recognize the obligation he owed the
President "a well a. his party. bv re-
framing from participation in partisan
work, and from which he was also de-
i
officially promulgated and alike obliga.
tory upon all oilice-holderS But they
little knew the character of the man
Scarcely had be warmed his official
seat, ere he renewed the personal and
prOScripiive policy that had brought
his former custom house administration
into contempt and di>reputc Not ONLY
did he. in violation of the President.
express order ,o the contrary, begin his
offensive manipulation of party politics
by the means that his official position
afforded him. oulrivaling therein the
mcanest Democratic methods Of ballot
stulllug ANA packing Of primaries. but
the lines every where Throughout, the
Custom House were. and still are. closely
drawn between the personal adhcren MS
and >vcophantIc rctanere oc john l..
Thomas on the one hand, and those
who. on the other hand. could not he
Suborncd 10 the base personal uses Of
an INSCRIPTIONS partisan. Ii i, true
that the Secretary Of the Treasury has
prudcnIly refused 10 allow tue whole
sale prescription and removals that Mr.
Thomas would otherwise have inauyur.
ated. But the Collectors designs have
always been plain, and when the black
lists have failed Of approval st Wash
ington. the fault was not the Collectors.
No man to-day. no matter what his Re
publican record or party service, other
than Mr.. Thomas own devoted per
sonai rclalners. holds a place in the Bal,
timorc Custom House for any other
reason. than hecau>e the Collector is
powcrieS> to dispacc him. except upon
charge of official incomprtcncy or
dcrclIciion. stated in writing and fully
established 10y competent testimony.
Has he then. in the Presidents Ian.
guage. "mads The Custom House Il center Of
partisan l'olitieai mana ement' or has he
not: The facts above stated have al
ready been made the ground of specific
charges against Mr. Thomas the
President. Up TO this time. however
they ~umnvcSiigatcd In view
-ticn of the Presidents recent declara-
tons and acts. unless it he supposed
that he can >iultifv himself and con-
tradict the professions ON which the
changes have been made in the New
York Custom House. how can he toler-
ate the offensive participation 10y Mr.
Thomas in the politics of this State
Ii Is, indeed. already minated that the
most ardent friends of the Administra-
lion are now convinced that the best
elements of the Republican party were
ignored when the Maryland appoint
ments were mat.c. and the hope is uni
versal, that the President vii! find sue
ccsscr for Mr. Thomas. who will at once
be worthy the gift of the office, and who,
bv reason of his high character and
standing. can command the respect and
confidence uf the n.opl, of the State