New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-23
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
No pEvovAIs EXCEPT FOR CAUSE.

NO REMOVALS EXCEPT FOR CAUSE.
corn CouPoRr FOR OFFICE sEEKERs-PREsIDENT
ARTHUR's DECIDED REFUSAL TO TUrN GOOD
MEN OUT OF OFFICE TO MAKE ROOM FOR FAC
TIoNAL FRIE >DS-THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
ADVISING AND ACTNG-FORECAsrs OF THE
NEW CABINET.
IeRoM AN AsIoNAL CORRESPONDENT oFTHE TRrBUSE'I
WASHINGTON, Nov. ga certain Congressman
came 10 this city few days ago to fix NJ" one oil
the post offices in his district. He is Stalwart'
was an active Grant man" last year, and Is a per-
sonal friend of President Arthur With these CIR
cumstance in his favor he made no doubt as 10 ms
ability To get the business which had brought MN
n The Capital transacted without delay. He came
away from his interview with the President, how
ever. in bad spirits and bad temper According to
his account of that interview, Mr. Arthur received
him wi great cordiality heard his plea in behalf
of his candidate for the post Office, and then asked
if there were any Iust grounds of complaint against
the way the office was now managed. The Con-
gresham replied that the Office was run
in manner satisfactory TO the publlc'
but that the postmaster was rampant
Blaine man." THIS he thought SUFFICIENT
ground for removing him. and putting one OF " our
friends" in his place. The President replied that
he had made up his mind that the only safe rule for
him to follow was to remove nobody without cause
parted from his rule in case, he would have TO
in anoth T. There was place 10 draw the line eX-
cept in front of it, He did not think, however. that
he was under any obligation to reappoint Office
holders at the expiration of their terms Wherever
the law had fixed definite term 1t was falr
to conclude that the intent Is to terminate
the claim of the incumbent on the place at the end
of that period and leave the appointing power en-
tirely free 10 select new man. The President went
4. 4 - 81 -,
the interest of harmony in the Republican party,
as well as of the good of the public service to OBJ
serve strictly the spirit and letter of the law. When
'he term of the postmaster was about to expire he
sbould be glad to confer with the Congress
man as to n proper 80 succeed him,
but it was useless to urge his removal.
The Congressman was not convinced by this
argument. He believes the true course for the Adj
ministraion to pursue is to turn ont all oce-hold
ers ~ho were opposed to Grant last year fill their
places with the faithful adherents of the Third
Term faction, and thus attempt to control the next
National Convention for Grant if he is a candidate,
or for Arthur if Grant is but of the wav. He adj
mits with some chagrn his surprise at finding that
the President had determined on quite another pol
lev and could not be talked out of it.
Somewhat in the same line was the experience of
a New-Yorker who has been for years political
lieutenant and intimate social friend Of President
Arthur. This gentleman fixed his eye on desir-
able Office and after thinking the matter over for
month told the President he would like 20 have 1t
&" Is the place vacant?" the President asked q" No ::
it's held by man who was appointed by Hayes.
. Do you know of any reason for removing him 7
90 know of none except that would like the Office
myself" Come and see me aboat it thirty days
before the incumbent's commission expires"
sand the President. g have made up
nv mind that all officials shall serve
ont their terms unless they fail to perform their
duties properly" This is in brief the report of the
conversation as given by the offceseeker himself
who says that the President is sbrewd and long
headed politician but poor distributor OF patron
age among his friends
Another interesting case is that of gentleman
whose recommendations for high office now vacant
were signed by Mr.. Arthur before General Garfield
was shot. This gentleman took it as quite a
matter of course that he would be ap-
pointed now that his friend who RECON-
mended him has become President After
waiting a few weeks and hearing nothing OF the
matter he logged Mr. Arthur's memory. The Presi-
dent told him he was rs much his friend ever but
his position was very different now that the respon
sibility of making the appointment was put upon
him. lie wanted to be quite frank, and in order
that there should be no misunderstanding he would
say that he did not feel in the least bound Pres
dent to appoint men whom he had recommended as
Vice-Presldent. 1t was tlung TO advise and
qute another TO act.
Such incidents as these are much talked abont
and have greatly cooled the ardor Of ofice-seekers
generally and particularly of those members of the
Grant faction at Chicago who have been expecting
to step into good places with more trouble than
to display their 1906" badges. There is some COM
fort for them, however in the fact that in all the
| 1 I, fr,
the close friends of the President no man has been
mentioned who was not an advocate Of Grants
nomination last year. with the exception of Mr..
Chaffee and he is now counted as. belonging to the
Grant element by reason of recent family ties.
FAILURE NUMBER TWO.
EX-DFPUIY AUDITOR LILLEY DISCHARGED By TIE