Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-02
Garflsld,s Annoinfmants.

0AnCA4 =
Whether Mr.. Garfeld's remarks in his
inaugural amounted to committal on
his part or not to a disuse Of the purely
"spoils" practice, which has so long
been applied in the conduct of the civil
service, it is evident that the public
mind is far from satisfied with his per.
formances in this line thus far. There
can be little doubt that the selection of
Robertson for Collector of the Port of
New York was the payment Of a debt
for his fight against Grant at Chicago.
The displeasure of Conkling at not being
allowed to manage this and other i'm
portant New York appointments enabled
Garfield, owing to Conkling's foolish
stand, to assume a position before the
country that he really does not occupy.
To the popular mind the fight at AL.
bany is a contest to determine whether
the President shall be compelled to COM
ply with the wishes of any boss who
may choose to dictate to him in the mat
ter of appointments to offices within the
gift of the Executive. 1t so happens
that as between Mr.. Conkling and the
President this is strictly the issue,
and If Mr.. Depew and another
half-breed or any two ti-Conkling men
are elected it will be taken as a vindica-
ton of the Executive. But imagine Mr..
Depew elected. 1t would strain the re-
sources of credulity quite largely to
make one believe that Mr.. Depew's word
would not go far with Mr.. Garfield, or
that the President would not hearken to
his wishes in the matter of New York
appointments.
The supposed issue at Albany is not
and has not been raised. Mr.. Garfield
conceded other very important nomina-
tons to Mr.. Conkling. He gives Mr..
Hale wide latitude in the matter of
Name appointments. Within the week
he has removed Collector Smith, of
Bangor, to make room for Davis, the
defeated Republican candidate for Gov
ernor in Maine last fall He is equally
complaisant to other Senators. He at
one time was ready. aAd, perhaps, is
yet, to turn over to Malone the absolute
disposal of the patronage of Virginia.
He is scrupulous in paying his politi-
cal debts, as witness the removal of Com
missioner Bentley, an honest and faith
full officer, from the Pension Bureau, to
make room for Marshal Dudley, who
put out Dorseys two dollar bills in In
diana last October. He has put quite
number of eligible berths at the disposal
of Jere Rusk, who swung Wisconsin
into line for him at the critical moment
II the Chicago Convention.
Doubtless Mr.. Garfield has a right to
pay his political obligations, and, per-
h4ps. may rely largely on Senators in
the matter of appointments in their sew
eral States But he should be honest all
the way through and should not make
flesh of one and fowl of another.
True, Mr.. Conkllng did not help
him at Chicago, but, as Grant
says, che owes him good deal" all the
same. Perhaps the appointment OF
Woodford aud others discharged this.
Mr.. Conkling, though, if the debt is to
be paid, should be allowed to at least
render his bill. Mr.. Garfield may dis.
pute it, make part payment. or pay it in
full. but he should not prefer creditors.
Mr. Garfield is afforded an opportunity
of winning a name for grit and indie
pendence, and he has singularly acquired
it without much trouble. 1t is well to
remember, though, that however extra
constitutional the doctrine of Senatorial
courtesy" may be, Mr.. Garfield has
recognized it. MIR. Conkling was an
influential Senator, but he was a bad
boss. His fall can do no harm to the
country, but rosy expectations that boss
ism is dead, or that Mr.. Hale, OF any
other friend of Mr.. Garfield's, will not
be allowed to have what he wants or be
paid in full for his services, are, to say
the least, premature.