The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-27
Rclics in Office.

II has come to be the practice Of both par
ties 10 change the principal officers OF the
Senate and Of the House of Representatives
as one or other succeeds to power Whom
the Republicans got possession OF the sem
ate in 1861. they set the example which the
Democrats have now followed. Mr.. LIN
COLIN convened Congress by proclamation
on the 9TH Of July, lsGi and the Republicans
OF the Senate, holding caucuscs on the jth,
9th, 9th, and 18th of july. elected Mr. For
NEY Secretary, and all the other principal
officers In order to satisfy the hungry
hordes Of office seekers, they increased the
number OF subordinates largely, although
the Senate had been depleted b. the with
drawal OF most OF the Southern States In
a short time the new broons swept out the
old force, leaving here and there mouu-
ment OF clcmcncy at back door in the
shape of n dilapidated messenger or a
pleasing page with an attractive widowed
mother to urge his claims.
During the eighteen years that have
passed since that time the Republicans have
had full swing, and the Senate has been
little more than splendid pension Office
for the brothers, sons, cousins, sons-in-aw.
nephews, and other relations OF Republican
Senators.
The pay OF these favored officials was
raised one-third and in some cases ona-han
above the corresponding class in the House,
and every attempt to reduce IL was resisted
as an encroachment on the rights of q priv
LEGGED class! Twenty-eight standing COM
mittees five joint committees, ami nine
special committees had each clerk, some
OF them annual, with nearly $4,000 year,
and the others during the session, with Sc a
day. In this way every Senator was fur
nished with private secretary at the public
expense, irrespective OF his share of the
general patronage.
Senators who have been accustomed for
more than half generation TO these luxu-
ries, to say nothing Of yearly retainers for
great corporations, and other perquisites
attending chairmanships and influential
positions, naturally feel the change that
displaces them and takes away such COM
forts and benefits. But they might at least
submit gracefully, and not whine before the
public at loss which may possibly be re-
paired two years hence, # the Democrats
follow in their footsteps OF folly and ex-
travagance
When Mr.. CoNKLING stepped forward rs
tHe peculluT champion OF MI OOhHAM, ne
made mistake; for no man ever held the
Office OF Secretary who degraded it with as
much partisanship as he did. He converted
1t into a sort Of rough and ready Republic
can headquarters. Circulars demanding
contributions Of money for the last Con-
gressional campaign, and circulars filled
with the grossest Misrepresentation, were
issued in his name while the Senate was in
session and he was officiating as its nigh
est functionary at the desk. 1t is notorious
that there was no discipline or method
under his rule. He left the Office TO his sub
Ordlnates, more competent than himself for
most OF the duties, and made politics his
chief business, though he did not forget
some other things in the intervals OF that
occupation. For personal reasons Mr..
CoNKLINo stood up in defence Of his friend (;
but public man is expected to have higher
grounds for his action when he deals with
a subject like this, which concerns the adj
mlnistration Of an important trust.