New-York tribune., 1881-03-26
be decided to take any further action in the cOrean
THE RECENT APPOINTMENTS.


WITH HIS AvowED POLICY NO PRO- BILITY
OF OPPOSITION TO CONFIRMATION - GENERAL
MERRITI'6 SURPRISE EFFECT OF DEMOCRATIC
MOCK ECONOMY.
lFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE'l
WASHINGTON, March 25.-A great deal OK silly
talk has gone on here during the last few days about
the NewYork appointments among people who are
too stupid to understand the plain frank and openly
declared purpose of the Administration There has
been the least concealment orindeclson about
the plan Of the President in dealing with the Repub-
licans of New-York Months ago he said that he
meant to recognize all elements Of the party which
contributed to its success last fall and intended TO
do all his power to heal the old factional hight ana
make the party harmonious organization.
Yet in spite of these explicit declarations there
were plenty of men who could not see which way
the wind was blowing, though it struck them
squarely in the face Some went on asserting, until
the new nominations were made, that the President
was going 10 put the entire patronage of NeW-Iork
into the hands of Senator COnkllng, and thus turn
the cold shoulder to the men who voted for him at
Chicago and brought about his nomination. Others,
equally blind, insisted that he would pay no atten-
ton to Mr.. Conkling or his friends and would
fill I'D the offices from the ranks OF the antl-machlne
faction.
He has taken neither course. he has done Just
what every man of sagacIty and experience in poll
tics. not self-deceivod by his own interests or
prejudices, knew he would do; just what he said
at Mentor he meant to do, when the New-York poll
ticians went out sngly and by twos and threes TO
sound him just what he was bound to do as prsc-
tical statesman studying the welfare of his party
and desiring to strengthen it for future contests he
made up his list of appointments from representa-
tive men of the two Republican elements in the
State If the factions continue to fight after this it
will not be his fault.
"Ahi but the anti-machine men get the big
place. say the malcontents. Their best man is put
IN the Custom House, and will control its vast pat
ronage" Well. did any one suppose the Admnistra-
tion dotic enough to put there one of the 3O6 who
decorated themselves with medals and pledged
themselves at Chicago to keep up the contest for
Grant until 1891 Self-preseryatiOn is the first law
of Nature, and no Administration can be expected
to nut a sharp knife in the hands Of man who has
taken a vow to cut its throat at the cad OF its first
term. Very naturally aud very properly. say Re-
publicaus of all sOrts-save few who cherish old
resentments-the President prefers man for Col
lector at New-YOrk who was his friend at Chicago,
and the friend of the cause he represented to ono
who was not. At the same time he shows by his
sslectlon of some Of the most prominent Grant
mon for other important offices that he
has no feeling of unfriendliness toward
the element which opposed his nomination
and afterward labored Leaously and efficiently for
his election. He stands as near to them as to any
body. and they have his confidence and esteem; but
in flng an Office which might be made powerful
political agency, he prefers Of his old friends to
one of his new ones That is all there is about it,
and the sooner few small men get over their bad
temper the better for their own peace Of mind
The big mon in New-York politics, there In found
reason for saying. are neither surprised nor angry.
'Aat0 the talk Of Mr. Ccnkling antagonizng Mr..
Robertson's confirmation, do not believe there Is
anything in 1t. The distinguished Senator has
many enemies but no one ever accused him OF lack
ing good sense. He has never claimed the New
York appointments as his personal property.
When Mr.. Hayes removed General Arthur aud his
associates Mr.. Conkling opposed the confirmation
of their SUCCESSORS because he believed the old
men were excellent officers who had been displaced
solely because they were his friends. Nobody has
been turned out now for beng his friend. Nobody
has bsen appointed to make war on him. There has
been a fair disposition Of places, among men who
formerly represented different elements as an ear
nest of the desire Of the Administration that they
should work together in the future and forget the
quarrels of the past. That is all.
Nobody was more surprised by Wednesdays APP
pointments than Collector Merritt and General
Baleau The London Cousul-General has BEEN sew
eral months in this country on leave of absence,
doing some literary work. He and the Col
lector came over from NewYork on the same train
and appeared at the White House with
long faces yesterday morning. Badeau gets a pro-
motion for there is more dignity and honor IN
being Charge dAfaires at Copenhagen than in hold
ine the business Office Of Consul at London but the
Danish post only pays $4,000, while the London
Office is salared at $4,000 and is believed, with the
fees which legtimately belong TO the occupant, to
be worth $4,000 year. A man can afford
TO forego the social charms of petty
court for the difference between $4,000
and $4,000 General Merritt expected
TO hold the COectoTship until the expiration OF ms
term next year. He was not consulted about his
appointment to London and was disposed at first
the the conntry and 90 ont Of New-York politics. |
think the information he got here about the London
Consulship makes him look moro faV0rably upon
The transfer of Mr. Cramer from Copenhagen to
Berpe is said to the wishes OF that fortunate
gentleman. There is practically nothing to do in
either place but to extend as many cOurtesies to
travelling Americans as the very moderate salary OF
the Charge will permit. Three or four years ago
their policy of saving at the ,spiRot and
wasting at the bung, cut down the salaries OF the
Missions to Denmark. Portugal, Switzerland ana
rank from Minister Resident 10 Charge d Ataires:
Inc reduction of the salaries was mean piece OF
busneSs but Int hS mpcte for Oh it WAS blow
at the dignity of the United States as
nation Our representatives in these countries are
ontranked by the representatives OF every petty
cOintry on earth. On ceremonial Occasons ana at
audiences with sOverelgns or other high dlgnita-
res they are forced to give precedence to the MID
isters from Guatemala, Paraguay, the Sandwich
islands and a score Of other Insignificant little
nations. , 49,, .e . L..
+hs annontment of William Walter Phelps Min
ister 10 Austria Mr.. Phelps has left in Washington
many agreeable recolections of his brief career IN
N aA md
The House and his admirable social qualities are still
talked Of by large circle OF the best people ~
politics and society %no R are snsaEs ths apgnsSe
~ ~ the counrry where be is to livc-a rare qualIf-