The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-07-02
Hon. Milton G.. Urner interviewed


political affairs, and sent long report
to his paper under date of June ii.
From it we select some of the most
salient points, which may interest
our readers:
Herald Man-What do you think
of the political situation in Mary
land /?
Mr.. Urner-Well, as Republican,
7 think it is in the main encouraging.
If the Republican party was as har-
monious as it ought to be, l would
think the outlook exceedingly bright,
and with a fair prospect of carrying
the State this fall. | do not despair
as it is. [ do not see how the antag-
onism in the Democratic party can
be harmOnized. The Governor has
arraigned his party for mal-adminis-
tration. 1t is generally believed that
except for fraud Mr.. Harris would
have been elected Governor in 1875.
The Democratic platform of 1879
conceded the necessity for reform still
to exist, but as Mr.. Hamilton, who
was considered the special champion
of reform, was the international cam
didate, he received the votes of many
who voted for Mr.. Harris in 1875;
but now Mr.. Hamilton cOnfesses that
he has been powerleSs to correct the
abuses, and / should think it was
about time for Democrats, who really
desire better administration OF State
affairs, to be convinced that the only
way to effectually remedy the wrongs
of which they complain is to vote the
Republican ticket. If we make
iudicious nomination [ think our
chances of electing a Republican
comptroller this year are first class
AS to Federal appointments in
Maryland, Mr.. Urner says :
I am IN favor of that which will
best promote the interests of the Re
publican party. What that may beitis
difficult to determine. am on friend
ly terms with all the present Office
holders in Baltimore, and personally.
/ like them, but, if convinced that
the best interests of the party would
be promoted by change, would
recommend change. l have friends
in office and friends out of Office who
want to get in. l cannot favor them
all. and the only course left for me,
which is the right course, is to have
an eye single to the public good.
We want men to fill the Federal
offices in Maryland who will not only
faithfully discharge their duties, but
who will labor honestly and unselfish-
ly to build up the Republican party
in the State and make its principles
triumphant, and if the present off
Gals do not meet this requirement
we should make changes to secure
such as will. We want the offices
manned with men who consider
party above faction, and who COM
mand the respect and confidence of
all.
Mr.. Urner thinks the Federal pat
onage very unequally distributed in
Maryland, and that Baltimore City
in proportion to her Republican vote.
has received very much more than
her share of the spoils that naturally
fall to the victors, while to the coun-
ties, more especially Western Mary
land and Washington county, the
9th District, the only section where
Republican victories are recorded,
receives less than any other District
except the Second. Mr.. Urner con-
tesses his inability to correct this.
In answer to the question whether
there were many persons desiring
Office he said:
Many? They are without number.
DO you see this pile of letters on my
desk d? They are nearly all about
Office. have been industriously en-
ployed for months answering letters
and trying to secure offices for my
constituents, and yet the letters accu-
mulate faster than | can answer
them. With the assistance of my
partner, Mr.. Eichleberger, and Mr..
Norwood, who also occupies our
Office, we have written more than
sixty letters in single day, and yet
they accumulate. The public mind
seems to be given up largely to Office
seeking. / am told the rage for
Office was never so great as now, and
more applications are being filed In
the departments in Washington than
were ever known before. | would
like to serve my friends and consti-
tuents who want Office, but l have nc
appointing power, and can only rec
ommend, and of course, can only
successfully serve but few. 1t neces-
sarily takes up great al of my
time.
Upon the question o. il service
reform he thinks there ~ room fol
improvement, and says:
cannot say am friend of what
is commonly known as "civil service
REFORM" am in favor of reform ir
the civil service, and think there
should be some additional Legislation
or constitutional provision upon tn,
subject. Just what 1t should be
have not yet given the subject suffi
Gent thought to say. 1 haye always
been somewhat of believer in tn,
Jacksonian theory, "to the victor be
long the spoils," and l am opposed
to the comparative examination prin
ciple as conducted by Secretar,
Schurz, because do not believe it /
the best method to secure employee
OF competency and efficiency. TIL