The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-12-17
AN INCONSISTENT ARGUMENT.

AN INCONSISTENT ARGUMENT.
The Baltimore lmcrictn thinks it has
discovered an argument for the reap
pointment Of Mr.. John l.. Thomas as Col
lector of the Port of Baltimore. in the
fact that. i'll his recent message, Presi-
dent Arthur has taken the most positive
ground in favor of civil service reform.
and that. as Mr.. Fulton thinks. IAN OIL
Ger who has discharged his duties with
faithfulness, ability, and integrity. should
not be disturbed on the demands of poll
ticians.@ Now, as mere sentimental
ism III politics, we make no objection 10
the civil service formula. i'll which Nv.
Fulton pretends to see SO much force
bat in the practical violation Of the un-
DERIVING principle, Of which no man who
ever held Il prominent official position in
Maryland has been more conspicuous
than Mr.. Thomas, ard of whose cabinet
of advisers no one has proved himself Il
broader and more consistent advocate of
the spoils system than Mr. Fulton But
notwithstanding the fact that the admin
iStratiou OF Mr.. Thomas has been in every
sense a partisan one and the personal
and official character of his subordinatcs
constituted no claim to his considerations
favor outside of the political service they
could render him. how is it that he aud
his friend Mr. Fulton now see 50 much
virtue i'll the same civil service reform ca
idea that removed General (now PreSi-
denD Arthur from the Collectorship OF
the Port of New York, in the face of I
list of Endorsements by the business men
of that great commercial metropolis. in
volv:ng millions of dollars of personal
interest. and by he side of which Mr.
Thomas parade of Baltimore business
men dwindles into comparative insigniii-
cance.
The principle behind which Mr.Thomas
i'll his present strait takes refuge. had no
weight with his superior in the Treasury
Department at Washington-Secreta
sherman. The latter was candidate FOR
the Presidency. Gen. Chester a. Arthur
had. i'll his position as Collector of the
Port Of New York. made reputation for
ability, high personal character and intey-
rity, certainly never eNcelled. if epualIed.
by any one of the predecessors in that
important office. But he preferred Gen.
Grant for the Presidency, and the record
of his political service. the recital of his
admirable personal qualifications for the
office he then held the plea of his I'M
usual and exceptional popularity with
the great business classes OF the Port
that collects three lourthS Of the Gus
toms revenue Of the country. were all of
no avail to save his devoted head. Sec
rotary Sherman removed him to smooth
his own path to the Presidency. and Mr.
Fulton approved the act. In the mean
time, how did Mr.. Thomas. as Collector
of the Port of Baltimore. manage to save
his own political head: BY surrender
ing his preference for the Presidency
Blaine-to the aspirations of the higher
official authority of the Treasury Depart
ment. lie became Il rampant Sherman
man. on OCCASION but still with predilec-
tons for Mr.. Blaine Like the old apple
woman who, when asked by her Gus
toner whether her apples were sweet or
sour, made the polite reply, that natu-
rally they are sweet, but still very much
inclined to the sour, he was by turns. as
interest suited, either for Mr.. Sherman
orthe Senator from Maine. At all events.
he adroitly managed 10 retain his official
position by espousing the caus2 CT the
man. for whose advocacy General Arthur
lost his. notwithstanding the latter pos
sessed. in an exceptional degree, every
qualification for the position he held, to
say nothing of the high personal esteem
in which he was held by Republicans of
New York.
"All Indispensable requirements cen
says Mr.. Fulton, and therefore he should
not be removed upon the demand of poll
ticianS.
In all eminentiy. incomparably higher
degree, far above the sentimental civil ser
vice dreamers lofticst Fultonian stand
ard, the Indispensable requirements OF a
model Collector centercd i'll the person of
Chester \. Arthur
But still the Sherman axe spared not
the neck, around which both Mr.. Thomas
and Mr.. Fulton would nov throw their
loving arms and beg President A.tEHr
to sec i3r"c in an argument which Sec
rotary Sherman acnld not see for CoLc~'or
-irthur's benefit anu w:.:&h Mr. Fulton
and Mr.. Thomas both thought secretary
Sherman ,.sht in not seeing.