The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-04-17
'iN a BAD BOX"

Uneasy lies the head that wears o
crowD," and the President OF the
American republic does not repose
upon a bed ofroses. Mr.. Garfield is
finding himself sorely perplexed. or,
as he expresses it, sin bad box. "
A few months ago be was, to all ap-
peArance, a hsppy man. He was 8
political, social. and intellectual
leader, enjoying the confidence,
esteem and respect Of q large and
intelligent congressional constituency,
of a great state, and of mighty
nation. He had served generation
in the House Of Representatives, and
was elected United States senator;
but ambition pursued him like q
villain, and he became President.
Then be wanted to make sure of a
second term; but there are other
villains than ambition pursuing him.
There are other men who want to
be president, and one of them james
G. Blaine) Garfield thought to quiet
by making him head OF his cabinet.
1t transpires that Blaine continues
the same willy politician and schemeT
that he always was. Ons OF his fret
acts was to lead Garfield into q trap
by which the latter has incurred the
political enmity OF one mightier than
he, for ConkliDg is greater than them
all. His dignity has been insulted
and THAT be regards g. his official
rights been Set aside, for which Mr..
Garfield will be made to suffer, through
four long yesrs at least. Another
stroke intended fox 1884, it now seems,
will react against the President. In
chCosing his cabinet it was evident
that while be desired honest men, he
was cautious 10 get nobody who could
dim his light. The consequence is
beginning TO manifest itself in minis
ters inadequate to the Oates OF Office.
The places are entirely too big for
them, Blaine b5ipg the only mem.
Der who fills the hole lssigned to him.
Il is beginning to be understood that
there must be reorganization OF the
cabinet. Greater ability is absolutely
necessary, and there must be less dis
trust and more harmony between the
President and his constitutional ad-
visers and department chiefs. The
breaking up of the cabinet SO early
in the term can but prove G serious
matter to the President, and put an
awkward obstacle in the way OF the
realization of his hopes concerning q
second term. Another thing that
has done Mr.. Garfield no good is bis
Hsyesian attempt to do little goody-
goody work in the way of harmonic
ing the party. Working for party
harmony, rather than being Presi'
dent regardless OF party. will not
prove profitable. Hsyee tried it and
made enemies of friends. Garfield is
liable to have no better success, if he
persists in his course.
The news from Washington COZ.
corning the bad box in which the
Presiden! finds himself, is not en-
couraging to the friends OF The execu-
tive. 1t Is ominous OF an sdministra-
ton that 6ill reflect no credit upon
Garfield nor add to mis- reputs-
ton as a statesman. 1t is possible
that the presidency is too big for Mr..
Garfield, as it was twice too large for
Hayes. The latter was equal to the
governorship OF Ohio, and Garfield
found nothing beyond bis capacity in
Congress; yet Hayes was q dwarf as
the head of government, and Gar
feld-regret it as va may, and dis
appointing as it Isis certainly not
showing the signs Of greatness that
the country expected. He mutt ce
velop into something larger, or bis
chance for 1884 will be .lipht indeed