The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-04-02
philadelphia Pressl
The Cabinet and the Party.

We are very sure that the reported differ
ences in the Cabinet are greatly exaggerated
MIR. MacVeagh would very likely have pre-
ferred somewhat different type of man and
closer personal associate than Mr. William
E. Chandler for Solicitor General. Mr.. James
may very naturally feel that upon so impor-
tant an appointment as the Collector of New
York the member of the Cabinet from the
State should have been consulted; and it
would be singular if he did not share the feel
ing OF the other chosen representatives of the
State as to the political policy of the selection.
But neither Mr.. MacVeagh nor Mr.. James
will allow single difference TO precipitate
step which all their friends and all the friends
of the Administration would deprecate
Mr. MacVeagh and Mr.. Chandler represent
different topics of political thought and activ-
ity. Their ideals of the public service are not
measured by the same standard Mr.. Chand-
Ter is an ardent, impulsive, aggressive partisan;
a consummate politician master of all the
enginery of politics: and an adept in its appli-
cation to the machinery of administration.
Mr.. MacVeagh treats both the art of politics
and the science of government from another
standpoint, and makes them less a machine
and more a principle They differ in another
respect Mr.. Chandler was the most vehe-
ment advocate OF the policy of sustaining the
Republican Southern State Governments even
at the point of the bayonet. Mr.. MacVeagh,
on the other hand, was one of the Louisiana
Commission through whose action the Packard
Government was dissolved. But the Admins
tration of party should represent its different
elements, and it is strongest when it combines
and reconciles the energetic force of a Chand-
Ter with the high standards Of a MacVeagh.
In the attempt to produce an antagonism and
to insist that Mr.. MacVeagh must retire rather
than acquiesce in such choice the wish is
father to the thought. He would be unjust to
his State and unjust to the element of the
party he represents if for any such reason he
should resign, and there is the best ground for
believing he has no such thought.
The position of Mr. James is not dissimilar
He cherishes the broadcast and most liberal
views in politics, and is by instinct and convic-
tion opposed to any narrow or proscrptive poll
cy. He would advocate the just recognition of
all elements OF the party In harmony with
this sentiment he would urge fair treatment of
those Republicans in New York who are rep
resented by Judge Robertson; but he would
hold that this should be done after friendly
counsel with the chosen and accredited repre-
sentatives of the State. He is wise enough,
however, to see the surrounding difficulties
and embarrassments, and patriotic enough to
dent Garfield has had a very perplexing task
before him. He has earnestly sought TO hsr-
monize the various elements of the party and
give adequate recognition to one without do
ing injustice to another. But with the intens-
ity of feeling which prevails among contending
factions the problem is one which taxes the
highest political SKILL and it is not surprising
that it produces some friction. The duty of
the hour is to cultivate patience and seek