The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-05-19
THE DALLAS HERALD. THURSDAY MORNING. MAY 10, 1873,

J place Of m experienced officer, 10 end Of ri
torm nsed by law, II IA prOpOsod 10 put In
msn who has had no trainln
, for tbs position and VIII
cannot DO said TO have any special fitness 70
+ It's official duties. In the inaugural of Presj
dent Garfield, delivered on tie 4th OF Marc
|, last, WAS stated these words: "The ciyi
service can never be placed on a satisfactor,
basis until Its regulated by the law for th,
good Of the service itself, for protection O
those who are intrusted with tho ap
pointing power against the waste
time and obstruction TO public bust
ness caused BY al inordinste pressur,
Tor place and for the protection of incumb
cuts against intrigue and wrong. L snail at th,
proper time ash congress to fix the tenure OF
minor offices of the several executive depart
ments and prescribe the grounds upon which
removals shall be msde during the
terms OF which the incumbent,
have been appointed" How good
me distinction is which could make maiGr
olices the prey to Intrigue and wrong and
81 Ield the minor officials from q like havoc,
ahd whether the collectorship of the coun.
try should belong TO experts or to the pro-
tccted class, need not be decided here. As
Stunning Gen. Merritt to be an officer of average
fitness and honesty, it might be reasonably
argued that all senators should with alacrity
advise his displacement by a mar of obvious
superiority. Possibly it might be said that
IL is i'll to advise the selection in General
Merritts successor Of q mAu wi hout superior
~ttuess. and not one who had rendered
his country, or even his party conspicuous
and exalted service. The case in hand does
not balong to either cf these two classes.
The reputation of M. r bartsou and his
legislative and protest. nal experiences and
surroundings do not de-, % superiority in the
qualities, the knowledge, tho business habits
and the familiarity with the revenue avs and
system Of the United States which might
make him more competent than General
Merritt to collect the port revenue and
administer the vast business \rertaining to
the port of New York. Certainly he cannot
rules Of right and consistency on which the
constitution and laws have placed the pub
lie service. We know Of no personal or po-
liticsl service rendered by Mr.. Robertson
so transcendent that the collectorship Of New
York should be taken in the midst of the
term and given him rs a recon- eense.
Robertson is reported by the New York
Tribune to have declared his nomination was
a reward for action as q delegate to the ma
tional convention. If Mr.. Robertson in his
action was infuenced by a sense of duty if
be voted and acted his honest convictions, it
ls difficult TO SEQ what claim
he has for any reward, not to
speak of such great reward as az action CT
which an estimate is thus invited or is soon
destined to be. Robertson and sixty-nine
other me-. aacept ( ON a state convention
a certt .. They sought and accepted
the pos ..'. agents or delegates to the
natione = nveLtion. The stats con-
vention declared a plainly stated iudg-
ment and policy 10 be obser rived
and supported by those commissioned To
this declarat on all ire selected delegates
gave an Implied consent, but several of them
In addition made most specific personal
p edges and e~ngagementsto exert themselyesin
good faith througout to secure the nomination
OF General Grant. This pledge WAS pledged
rs "A means of obtaining their own appoint
ment us delegates and they did, as we both
personally know, attain their seats in the
national convention on the faith of their
personal statements Of their earnestne-s and
fidelity. The obligations assumed we're IN.
dertsken TO invade the integrity ss much
ne the obligation of one who receives a proxy
of a stakeholder in q corporation, upon
pltUSS ulu pIOIllsS W Vi'bD % biS principal
would vote. Whistler Mr.. Robertson was
or WAS not himself bound, Lot only by honor
sDd implication, but ey" essly giving his
Tord, becomes gate jnmaterial.
In view Of the clsin made for him, it is
insisted that he organ zsd the vote, or as it
has been sometimes stated, he was leader q
the vote. This is TO say hat he invited, lie
persuaded, induced others whom he knew
had given their word and OBJ
tanned their vote by doing so,
to violate their word and betray not only the
republicans assembled in state convent N,
but republicans of their district as well Who
trusted in their honor. Whoever CO.. sells
another to do q dishonorable act, must hare
with that other the guilt and should share
the odium Justly attaching to it. We are
therefore wholly unable, on whatever ground
we put it, to see the justification
for ourselves should ve become parties to
using public trusts which belong to people,
to require such ser ;cs IN such mod; bat
the applicants empiu Il to effect the result i
set up a new stsLtar1 / responsibility, nad
invade, rs we believe the truths and princis /
piles on which the separate sud coordin-
ate branches Of the government stand A
senator has his own responsibility. He IL
to mis- state and TO the body of
winch ne ~ u memDsT ne Is Douuu uy IT.
oath TO advise aud TO consent with his con-
science and judgment before God, whatever
or whoever else Siav constrsin him.
He is TO be exempt from the executives
menace or disfavor on the one hand and
executive favor or the other. Long standing
the orders of the house of commons has
been a declaration that a member shall suffer
expulsion who even reports the wishes of the
head IF the government to inau-
ence the votes Of members. The British
constitution is not more jealous
than ours In this regard 10 give advice
and honest, independent advice rs 10 an APP
pointment proposed. II is as much n right
aud duty of o senator ne it is the right or
duty Of the president 10 propose the name
by his advice one way or the other. Il is no
more an act of disrespect or treason 10 the
nominating power than o verdict
Of q juror, or the decision
Of a Judge The idea that the senste is
to find out Whist is wanted end then
do Il, we cannot believe safe or sdmisssbie,
and thus far nc party hiss dared or de-
TO set up such q test of party f5el-
ity or allegiance. 10 this in
such prominence bas been given
TO the subject, and ouch disirust hss been ex-
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