Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-02-14
The Administration From a
Republican Standpoint.
A Change in the Memphis Post
Office Declared to be Certain.
The Movement to GaIVanize
Blaine.
snrninl Corrslp0ndence Ledger.I

ton of the business interests OF the
country. Heretofore the only questions
asked have been, "Whet effect will
this or that measure have upon the
country in political aspect?" or,
"What effect will his or her appoint
ment have upon the party?"
President Arthur is thorn in the
side of the chronic aspirants for the
Presidency and a curiosity to the ma
cine politicians. His methods are not
understood and his results astound.
ing.
A great deal Of the surprise mani
| tested BY all classes in regard 10 him
| is attributable to the corrupt, degen-
crate and reprehensible manner in
which our national campaigns have
been conducted. In the first place, his
nomination BY the Chicago conven-
ton was regarded as a sugar plum
awarded to Mr.. Cenkling after Gen.
Grants defeat. During the canvass
his qualifications for the first Office in
the gift of the people was never dis
cussed, and he was never alluded to
except as very small tail to Gar.
fields very large kite. The poll
ticians had educated the peo-
pie to believe that a President
should either graduate upon brilliant
battlefield or from the halls Of legis-
lation. and could not conceive how any
man could I'll the position decently
who had never climbed other nights
of glory.
Arthur, of whom the people were
ignorant. suddenly came into power
and took charge of the ship before the
crew could realize the character of
their captain, and, as / said in the
outset. he is running it by chart that
they (the pOliticians) have never
studied.
l could give you an hundred 10
stances of the man that have come to
my knowledge which proves that the
country is safe and that the republic
and Republican party is safe beyond
the aspirations Of Mr.. Tilden and his
co-aspirants.
Probably the contest for U. S.
District Attorney at Nashville, but
illustrates his method. tits generally
conceded that where there is doubt in
the mind Of the President in regard to
Tennessee appointments, that he will
defer to the judgment of the three Re-
publican Representatives from that
State. The old political custom has
been for the delegation to control alb
solutely these appointments, the Pres
ident being mere appointing officer
in their hands. McLain, Warder,
Trimble and we're the appli.
eants, Pettibone supporting Warder
upon personal and political
grounds, Houk advocating Just as
earnestly -, while Colonel
Moore, your Representative, taking no
especial interest beyond trying to find
out who the people really preferred.
After weeks and weeks of appeals, they
were no nearer a settlement than the
day they commenced. Finally the
Hon. Sam. Watson came here in the
interest of Mr.. Trimhle, and it was
suggested, without his knowledge and
consent, that he be appointed as
compromise. Colonel Moore, it is
understood, heartily favored this plan
Well, the President listened to all of
them, submitted to frequent inter-
views, and finally to the intense sur
prise Of every one appointed Mr.. Nc.
Lain. Why? Because he was
satisfied from personal observation and
from private sources that he was the
best lawyer, and would make possibly |
the best District Attorney.
A gentleman asked me in the pres
ence of a prominent WesterH member
what | thought Of Judge MeLqin's
appointment. answered frankly that |
| thought it was the best that could |
have been made under the circum
stances, but | did not understand now
the President happened to find it out. |
Find it out" replied tht member:
MY God, he knows everything-he
smashes our States; but his appoint
ments are unexceptionally wise.
Take another instance: Your District
Attorney, Murray, and Poston we're
the only two applicants. Colonel
Moore favored POston, because he
thinks two terms is enough for one
man, he believes in rotation. Poston
was backed by Moore, Pettibone
Houk, the Republican members of the
Legislature and other prominent gen.
tlemen. Ordinarily his appointment
would have been a mere matter of |
form, but not so with this President |
When they expected to be notified |
that the commission was made out.
MIR. Poston received notice that the |
President was not entirely satisfied |
that he was competent. Judge Car
thell and other prominent lawyers and
officials promptly telegraphed endorse
meats upon this point, and the Presi.
dent acted in his favor.
Before this reaches you the name of
MIR. Schultz will be sent in az Post.
master at Memphis. The fight has
been very long and a bitter one in
some respects. Senator Harris. with
his chiyalrous devotion to his DER
sonal and political friends. contested
every inch Of ground, and lastly fell |
back upon custom of Senatorial
courtesy, that permits a Senator to
control the appointment of the post. |
master at the point where he receives
his mail. 1t is understood that the
President decided that this question
only applied in cases where the Senator
was in accord with the Administra-
ton.
l know nothing whatever of the
gentleman to be appointed, but this / /
DO know. There is no conceivable
reason, upon business PRINCIPLES wbv