The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-12-15

more prevalent will become the sentiment
of nationality, an indissoluble Union. How
ever, as an overwhelming majority of
this country, as well as the for
tunes of war, have settled beyond
successful controversy the fact of the
permanency and nationality of the Gov
eminent the resolution Of Mr.. Voorhees,
cannot be objected to from its tendency to
solidify and unity. And We apprehend
that it is likely to prove, on the other hand
a popular proposition from the increased
power and privileges it throws into the
hands of the citizen. We have nothing TO
do with the diplomatic corps and are, or
ought to be perfectly willing that the gov
ernment at Washington Should have full
control of the same, with one limitation on
ly, that tried and reputable diplomats should
be appointed and none others. Nor do the
people care who makes the army and navy
appointments, but if we are bound forever
to the government at Washington with the
rights of secession and notification denied
hliNNi any NllAA Nc Ni'llNNalbt
both, we ought, certainly, as people, to
have more power by ballot in the regula-
ton OF public affairs. 1t has been repeatedly
said, and wisely too that our danger lies in
the rapidly increasing power of the
Executive. In fact, as the powers of the
executive are multiplied in that same ratio,
the government, whether Monarchy or Re
public, approaches absolutsm, despotism
The President of the United
States to-day has more author
ity and influence in the administration of
the nations affairs than has the Queen of
England in her own dominions, and over
100000 offices are within his gift. And it
must be borne in mind, too, that the MAORI
ty of these Offices, as we have before said,
are those with which the people come most
directly in contact and through which the
most important and private affairs of the
people are directed and in the fllingol which
they have not a word to say, except very re-
motely in the choice Of Presidential cleo
tors, foisted upon them always by
party conventions. II seems to us incredi-
blc that any State or citizen should oppose
any movement looking to the correction of
this defect in our political organism, or a
disposition to, curtail the enormous and
dangerous powers of the executive. And
this, as We understand it, is the real pur-
pose and would prove the practical signih-
canoe oftho resolution of Mr.. Voorhees,. 1t
would admit the people still further into
the management of the government and
their most vital interests, and il would take
away from the President powers not prop.
erly belonging to him, and invaria-
bly, exercised for the good of "the
party" and as means for par.
tlsan or personal service. The "spoils sys-
tenn" in the United States is disgrace
nothing more or less, but the trouble has
been how to correct it. II is useless to tall;
about civil service reform, The maxim
ito the victor belongs the spoilsn has be.
come too attractive as an article of faith in
American politics to be dcthroned by cries
of civil service reform. So long as parties
remain and the reigning power has tho
right to make appointments, such
us we have referred to, the ma.
chnery Of the national government
will be manipulated for parti
san and improper uses. Mr.. Voorhees, hn,
struck the corrective. The only remedy /,
by giving the matter Of appointments, 81
far as possible, over TO tho ballots OF tn,
masses. Some will object to this process,
perhaps, on the ground that judicial cflccr
should be appointed and rendered indie
pendent of the fluctuations of the popula
pulse. This would all be well enough /
the appointing power were controlled b,
considerations Of fitness and merit rattle
than by party politics, but as Il is, Il is infn
itely better that the majority of each com
muni,y to be Affected should select, in &C
cordance with true Republican principles
their own postmasttrs, revenue collector,
United States District Judges and Attoi
neys and marshals. They have a right In
deed that men sointimatcly connected wit
them and manipulating their bushes
should be answerable to them for the mar
ner in which they discharge so sacred
trust tits repulsive to representative 20,
eminent that men should be placed In at
thorty other than by direct ballot Of IN
people, when their province is to handl
, the business and property and lives and IN
| erty OF the citizen. Sotremcndous pow,
0 ought not to be entrusted 10 one man, N
'creature Of q political party, with only Ii