Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-03-08
THE NEW ADMINISTRATIoN.

Although the new cabinet selected by
President Garfield cannot be called
strong one, it is vast improvement upon
Gen. Grants first attempt in that direc-
ton. 1t is strong in two MEMBERSHIP
secretary of state and the postmaster gen.
eral-and positively weak in only one
the secretary of the treasury 1t is a mat
ter of regret that man better qualified
was not chosen for an Office that is in
many respects the most important within
the gift of the executive. The admins
tration of the finances should have been
committed to a man thoroughly convers-
ant with monetary affairs, not to one who
will yet have to learn the rudiments of
the science of inanciering.
In giving to the West three of the port
folios at his disposal President Garfield
has shown his appreciation of the fact
that the East no longer Is the controlling
section of the country, but that the seat
of population, of industry and of infu-
ence has been transferred to the Missis-
sippi valley, and will remain there for a
quarter of century to come. He has
avoided complications with either of the
New York factions by the appointment
as postmaster general of man
who was not identified with
either, and has signalized the downfall
of the Cameron bosses in Pennsylvania
by choosing as attorney general man
who, though relative by marriage of
the Senator from that State, was bitterly
opposed to him during the recent contest
for Senator Wallace's seat. He will thus
start out without an active quarrel on
his hands, and with the best wishes of
Republicans and Democrats, for the latter
are as deeply interested in the success of
the administration as the former, even
though they can have no part in it.
1t will be interesting to note if Presi-
ident Garfield will be able to steer clear
of the many traps that will be set for
him. Each of the warning factions
throughout the country will seek to
make him one of their own partisans.
He will have hard struggle to avoid
committing himself to either the Conk-
ling or the anti Conkling faction in New
York. 1t will be almost impossible for
him to satisfy both by an impartial dis
tribution of his favors, for each of them
wants oil or nothing. So it will be in
Pennsylvania and other States. Every ap-
pointment he makes will be criticised as
in this or that party's favor, and no mat
ter how hs may strive to treat all alike,
he will materially fail of pleasing all
factions.
Already there are those who are pre-
dieting failure for the administration.
1t is yet too early, and events are not
sufficiently shaped, to warrant predic-
tons of any sort. The greatest fear is
that the administration of the finances
will not be such as to inspire confidence
among the people. Much will depend
upon the manner IN which the national
banks are treated as regards their appli-
cation for leave to re-deposit their bonds.
If they are granted what they ask, the
people will be compelled to submit to
four years more of bank domination, and
to bend their necks to the yoke of the
money power for all time to come. The
banks WELD an influence that should not
be despised, but they have, by their bull
doing tactics towards Hayes, placed
themselves in the power of the executive.
If he shall give them to understand that
he and not they holds the key to the stu
alton, they may be brought to realizing
sense of the fact that submission to the
laws can be exacted from them as we'll as
from the humblest citizen. They should
not be permitted to ride rough-shod over
the Congress and the President whenever
it shall suit their caprice,
but must be taught that
it is their duty to obey the power that
gives them an existence, protects them in
their rights, and enables them to profit
ably invest their surplus capital.
While all will wish the new President
success, there will be great solicitude as
to the outcome. The dangers that beset
him on either hand are of no mean pro-
portions, and it will require cool head
and steady hand to steer clear of the
maelstroms, the rocks and the shoals that
everywhere threaten disaster. These
qualities Garfield may possess in an emil
nent degree, yet it is to be regretted that
he has chosen as his chief advisers men
whom the public generally regard as but
poorly suited for their responsible posi-
tions.