New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-10
nLScOURAGLNG ID OfFICNSEEKERS.

General Garfield Is reported 10 nave sdlu INC
other day, in conversation with one OF his
visitors, that he did not propose to turn good
Republicans out of Office merely because they
are doing well and others want their places.
Ihls remark is not calculated to encourage
the large number of ambitious men who are
waiting for the fourth OF March TO press their
claims for appointments upon the new flesl-
dent. 1t means that there are to be no sweep
ing changes III the public service made solely
to crafty aspirants 10 office who can urge
personal friendship or recent party service
as a reason Tor giving them the places
of worthy AID efficient officials APP
pointed by former Administrations. This
declaration comes in good time. There are
many Signs tlat in unusual pressure for APP
pointments will be- made upon the new Preol-
deaf. General Grant was able to repcl the
oflice-seckcrs by his imperturbabiliy and d
chilling rctIccncc OF manner which made per
sIsteucc almost impossible. President Hayes
ia gOod-natuIed and accessible bat he came
TO the White House from rather narrow
circle of political activity, and his range o.
personal friendship had not been large.
General Garfield probably enjoys IA larger
acquaintance among the politicians OF the
cnuntry than any previous President had when
entering upon the Office, and his personal
friends are legion. His waIm-hcarted, frank
aud hospitable nature and his remarkable in
iclcctud gifts and requirements, have
attached to him IL great number OF
intelligent, 81, liable people who feel that they
hove the nigh. to account themselves some
thing more than mere acqualntanccs OF the
new President. COmrIdcshIp III the Army
and III Congress CONT Efforts In the fields Of
educational aud religious work, and the ex-
change of home hUspItalitlc-. establish strong
personal ties. 1t will not be at all
strange if many people think they have
the night to make use OF such ties for their
own benefit, now that their Old friend and
conlade Is to occupy the high office OF Chlef
Executive. Nor is there anything wrong in
their doing 80, or III Il Presidents IecOg-
nzng such claims, and prelerrlng for appoint
mcnts when other things are equal, the
men he knows and trusts to the men hr
does not know aud must take upon trust if
at all. Nevertheless, it is well that people
who are fortunate TO enjoy the
friendship OF the new President should he
reminded that the offices are now IN the pos
session of Republicans, who, it is to be
supposed, are performing their duties accept
ably, and who 1t is quite certain, possess con-
siderable political influence and will make an
effort TO retain their places and that tn, y
should also not forget that General Garfield
Is not at all the sort of man to look upon
the public offices "a his individual property,
to be distributed among the persons whom,
from motives oil friendship, he would be glad
to crafty.
Perhaps, after all, the new President will
find safety instead of danger in the circum-
stance of possessing such large number of
intimate fricnds. Ii he were disposed 20 rec
ognlzr their claims he could not possibly pro-
vide places for more than small hactiOp Of
them. Knowing this, lie may be better
able to hit himself above personal feelings
and adopt broad views of public policy in
making appointments, than he would be il he
were man of fewer attachments. AT all
events the country expects that his appoint
mcnts will need no apology. 1t does not believe
he will make the mistake of putting small
men in big places because of Il friendly liking
for them. He is unusually well equipped for
a i.dicous and sucresslul exercise of the APP
polntlng power III his wide and thorough ac-
aulintance with the characters and careers Of
the public men OF the country.