Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-14
Washineton Correspondence.

Aeprnus LABOR OF THE PRESIDENT
SrALwARr PoLIcr OF THE ADNINIsTRA-
| Irox.-SEcRErARr BLAINE.-FRfE FOR
| SENATOR LINDSEY AND CoNSoR-
| WASHINGTON. ID. c., March 10th, 1851.
| Editors of the Kenne5ee Journal:
| President Garfield is now fully settled
down to the arduous duties devolving upon
bim-duties becoming year by year more la
borious and perplexing. To be the President
of over fifty millions of unusually active, in
| ,elligent. discerning and criticising persons
more or less-is no small task. In fact, none
| of the European. or Asiatic sovereigns have
half the troubles and perplexities directly con-
nected with their positions "a our President,
because a very large share of the less i'm
portant and minor details pertain or are as
| signed To their subordinates which surround
their thrones. Here much of the drudgery
(Which might be by law taken out Of his
way) has TO be done by the chief himself.
He can consult his cabinet as TO what ought
| TO be done and how to do it..but he must be
/
" growing country, come greater and great
er legal, financial. territorial and other Ia
bors. together with a corresponding rapid
growth of official positions and their
attendant wants and responsibilities,
and with them come multitudnous and vex-
atious care and responsibilities upon the Ex-
ecutive. Ii would seem, in view of all these
| facts which cannot be gainsaid. overlooked
or avoided that sooner OF later legislative
enactments must ensue whereby much OF
this labor of a minor nature. now entailed
upon the President, can be properly given to
his cabinet and other subordinate officials.
This, indeed. in Tightening his burdens
| " ouid enable him to devote more of his time
to the greater and more important duties per-
tanning to his high Office.
| ADMINISTRATIONS Policy.
The policy of the new administration.
from all can learn, while being of Il broad
and statesmanlike Bature-truly national in
| its character-wiu be firmly and consistently
| repubIican-otherwises fairarf.
The President recognizes the fact that to
keep party strong 1t must have
strong consistent man at the head. Uu-
like his predecessor. he has no dis
position to turn his back upon his best
friends and give the sinews of political pow
er, in great measure. into the hands Of his
enemies. The example of ex-Presiden'
HAYES has had one good effect-that of show
ing the republican party that any milk and
water policy. and concession of political
power and patronage to its enemies, is kind
ness thrown awav-nay, worse, correspond
ing weakening of its own strength
So long as the great democratic party vii
not abate one jot or title of its faith in tn,
Jack sonian precept that ITO the victors be
long the spoils," just so long is it futile fol
the republican party to attempt to establish :
civil service which divides its influence ant
perquisites with its rival. The only requis
lite and safe policy, then. until reform (hon
est at that takes place in all parties, is one
that will establish healthy civil service
amongst the officials of its own persuasion
which it has placed inpositions of Influence
trust and honor. and that shall see to it tina
all others who adhere to its faith and seel
and receive position shall be of the RICH
stamp. upright, trustworthy and intelligent
Such civil service-the nearest we can &c
now to true one-will meet with the appro
baton of the republican party and III,
country generally.
Such, believe, will be the general polio,
of this administration. There will be many
removals from office, chiefly from the rank
of those who are of the democratic or neutra
persuasion-those who intrenched themselve.
during the recent campaign, behind Hayes
civil service order, and worked secretly ant
often openly for HancOck's success.
"The woods are full of them" 1t was es
timated that over One-third of the office
holders in the departments were Hancock
supporters. OF course most of these are
now great admirers of President Garfield. OF
else are greatly in love with civil service re
form.
Their policy is actuated by desire whicl
is understood even by the most obtuse ant
when it is known that many of these civil
service reformers were so earnest in their be
lief that they made up black lists of republi
cans to be decapitated when their civil ser
vice rules came into force, it is not surpris
ing that the medicine they would give others
is likely to be given them.
Our PREMIER
Secretary Blaine enters upon the command
of the ship of state with an ease and grac,
which would cause one to think. if they didn'
know, that he had been at the helm before
All seem to think that his Premiership will
be strong, aggressive and brilliant one--on,
which will do very much to place us in posi-
ton to combat successfully in a political
international and commercial sense with oul
great over the water competitors. His pas
course has shown that he has made thes,
questions of foreign policy one of his chic
studies, and that he underst ands the underlv
ing bases, as well as things upon the surface
To understand is. with him, to do. and there
fore an aggressive and healthy policy i.
assured.
SENATOR FRYE.
Everybody here is gratified at the selection
of Congressman Frye for the Senatorship II,
is eminently the right man in the right place
and his selection still keeps up the right o
Maine to claim a high standard of excellenc,
in her representation in the councils of tn,
Nation.
| LINDSEY AND CoNNoR.
Representative Lindsey is still detaine,
here by the sickness of his eldest daughter
who has had a severe attack of measles, bu
is now slowly convalescing.
Ev-Gov. Common is still in the CITY. J. W
Bartlett, Esq. of your city, is also here. afte
his arduous editorial labors in the recen
campaign.
+. J. B.