The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-11-08
ARTHUR AS A CIVIL SERVICE
REFORMER.

REFORMER.
-EaNsau s#t a5a-g4--1a as frasrr~ .
Bluff old Ben Hill saw or thought he
saw a rather healthy negro in the woodpile
when the nomination of Mr.. Stratham for
postmaster at Lynchburg was sent to the
Senate for confirmation For the purpose of
extracting the fanes of the hidden darkey,
Mr.. Hill introduced a resolution providing
''that the appointment of officers under the
to control or influence the election of
Senators of Southern States and that appoint
ments made with such intentions and if con-
tin,led without rebuhe by the people will be-
dangerous to the popularity OF our institu-
tians.' Here is a plain sensible statement of
truth which it is supposed every Republican
in the Senate could and should have en-
uorscd. The resolution embodles the essence
of the civil service reform planks which have
regularly appeared in The platform adopted
by the Republican party in state and nation
al conventions. The resolution itself simply
challenged an expression from republican
Senators touching their sincerity in advocat-
ing civil service reform, anG at the same time
through its adoption to checkmate President
Arth"r's move in the direction OF aiding the
reputation movement in Virginia by the
nomination of Stratham. The Republican
Senators were fully aware of the latter fact
and hence when Nir. Hill asked for the i'm
mediate consideration of the resolution, Mr..
Mcmillan. a Republican Senator from Min
nesota, objected Il the offensive resolution
was laid over.
That It's consideration would develop some
unpleasant things in connection with the
part the Administration is playing in tie
pre- ent canvass in Virginia is 100 plainly ap-
parent to Republican Senators for them to
hazard a debate upon ii. For tie direct in
tervention OF the government TO procure the
success Of tie Republican ticket would lave
Ueen exposed and such exposition at this
would j4opardiZe Mr.. Mahone's
plan 10 aud another repud!atols 10 that
Of the Republicans in the United States Sen
ate. The postmastership at LyncIburg, in a
.pecuniary point Of view, probably does not
TO much, but il is claimed that if hII.
can obtain il he can carry sufficient
influence Ia the canvass to assure
lie election of a Repudiating leg
ami consequently the election of
4 Repudiator to the United States Senate in
he place of John W. Johnston, whose term
IF office expires March 3, 1882. This is the
)rize which the Administration is fighting to
There can be no fault found with
lie present incumbent Of tie Lynchburg
3ostoffice. His administration OF the affairs
If his office is not made the pretext for his
On the contrary, since Stratham's
the people of that city have re-
hin aud requested his retention in
Turing the Rebellion, came out a cripple and
" as honorably discharged. On the score of
oyalty, integrity Of character, ability and de-
1otion to his party he stands above
But he is not a Readjuster.
He don't wear Mahone's collar, neither willI
be sit Town with Raum and Jorgensen and
eat Malone crow. He is a straight-out Re-
and swears by Blaine. Herein he
the objectionable sin and offends
he powers at Washington, hence he must be
and Mr.. Stratham. u gentleman who
las been baptized in the MahoLe faith and
ully ans wers to to its requirements accorded
he position. The Democrats in the Senate
their determination to defeat his
confirmation. The Republicans declared
hey would fight for it to the bitter end. But
he Democrats had the best of the battle this
line. Their refusal TO answer to their names
1t roll call would leave the Senate with
tut d quroum, and the Republicans con-
that discretion is the better part
If valor, agreed to the desire of the Demo-
rats and united with them for an adjourn
neut Sine DE. Mr.. Stratlam's domination
avs over, but it is held that the President will
esppoint him and trust to the Senate, which
meets again in December, to confirm it. In
his appointment Mr.. Arthur has sounded
he keynote Of his administl alton. 1t will
De stalwart to the backbone, aud the half
breed Federal officials who will not "Bend
he pregnant hinges OF the knee" and slav-
SHY obey the mandates from Washington
will eXpiate his cltense by retirement to pri-
life. AS q Civil Service reforiner, it
he conceded Mr.. Arthur has moi, thus
given any evidence of success.