Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-12-13
Not nm Authority.

Inc Albany journal WfltlnB VI Jne meeG
ing of congress and of President Arthur
'ays: "The late elections demonstrated that
fully one fourth Of those who have hitherto
acted with the republican party no longer
the national administration as an
authority in the party" 1t further declares
that these non-recognizing immaculates will
forever renounoe allegiance to the republi-
can party as represented by the present |
national administration unless 1t shall speed |
lily place itself I" in accord with the better |
notions Of government demanded by the peo
ple.' Among the other grievances which
the Journal has against the president is his
attitude on the question of tariff revision.
The tariff commission, IL is alleged, was
" packed in the interest of the very monop-
oles which profit by taxation. The Albany
Journal is the organ of "haf.breed class
of politicians which, after the manner Of
certain public charities and like the proprie-
tors Of many minor things which people
eat, drink, wear or patronze, has been guilty
of larceny of the murdered Garield's name
to give sacredness and popularity to its po-
litical designs and professions. These peo
pie plume themselves upon being Garfield
republicans and the more outrageously
they can misrepresent the acts and purposes
of President Arthur the greater their devo-
ton to " the cause for which Garfield died
seems to be. The head of the national adj
ministration, which the half-breed organ
quoted above says can no longer be recognized
as an authority in the party, made one Of the
most efficient collectors the government ever
had at the port OF New York, and instituted
practical reforms in that office which revo-
utionized the revenue service OF the country
at the point where the great bulk of the i'm
mense income of the government is assessed
and collected. This same chief executive
in his letter accepting the nomination to the
vice presidency expressed himself in favor
Of civil service reform in language which
could have been inspired only by practical
experience and which was more definite and
satisfying in its scope and bearing than that
used by the nominee to the Office of presi-
dent. As president he has maintained the
letter and spirit of his promises in relation
to public matters, and in respect to civil
service reform in particular he has developed
originality Of purpose and has displayed an
enlightened and progressive spirit that has
kept him abreast of advanced public senti-
ment lie manifests no perverse adherence
to any plan of his own, but indicates his
readiness cordially to carry out any measure
which may become a law. This national
administration which political Pecksniffs
sheer at and can no longer recognize as an
authority" has not only steadily and consis-
tently practiced and advocated methods OF
civil service derived from experience, but
also courageously vetoed the great river and
harbor iniquity, measure for which men
like Hoar, Dawes and Miller, whom these
super-serviceable reformers do recognize as
authorities" labored zealously, and whose
votes assisted to pass the great steal in def
ance of the president If fully one-fourth "
of the republican party cannot recognize J"
the president by reason of record such as
his, it is fact exceedingly uncomplimen.
tary to the morality of that faction of the
party, and it is equally gratifying that not
only the other three-fourths of the republican
party, but the best portion of the democratic
party also, can and do in unqualified terms
express their appreciation of the presidents
course and warmly commend him for the
exhibition of qualities of craftsmanship
which have rarely been excelled in the office
of the chief executive. But all this crit
icism Of the president is unreasonable and
dishonest, as unwarranted by the facts as
the assertion that the tariff commission was
"packed" in the interest of the monopolies
"a commission which has recommended
heavy reduction of duties in every instance
where monopolies were interested and whose
report is acceptable to the great body of
people in whose behalf tariff revision has
been undertaken. 1t is time that ray of
patriotism pierced the darkened souls of
these oavilers, to lead them to emulate the
splendid spirit, the high and noble purposes
the president has shown during the fourteen
months Of an administration beset by en-
barrassments and hampered by delicate du.
ties and weighty responsibilities which no
other president has had the misfortune to
encounter.