National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-06-10
The Federal Offices.

The appointing power is obliged to Sc
lect, from among many sources of in
formation in theseveral States, those from
which the truth may be ascertained as to
the fitness and standing of men who are
proposed for Federal Offices 1t cannot
be but there must be much conflict of
opinion and of statement in regard to
these matters, and between them all mis-
takes will be made. The President and
his Cabinet may trust to the Representa-
tivcs of the people for advice us to their
respective constituencies. The repre-
sensations of q man elected to the
Senate by the Legislature Of State,
or to the House by the direct
vote of the people themselves,
are entitled to full credit until proven to
be unfair and untrue. Mr.. Lincoln used
to say that he intended, in the matter of
appointments in the States; to follow the
advice of the men sent to Congress by
the suilrages of the Republican MAORI
ties. If the advice turned out to be bad
he said that was the fault of the people
themselves, which they must correct at
Wv lNNl NltiAlOIs llC IOllolbtlCh llllll-
self bound to respect chosen representa-
tiyes, and not to listen to the beaten men
who came here to badger him with abuse
of men they could not defeat in the
conventions of the party, nor at the
polls Every Member and Senator is
constantly being complained of and often
slandered by hungry applicants for offices
which they are not fit for, and whose
recommendations they refuse to sign.
The Republican party is always pestered
with q horde of ravenous fellows, who
call themselves the people, and who are
always revolving against the peoples will.
These vain and egotistical characters
fancy that they can make the public us
indignant over their unsatisfied longings
for place as they are themselves. They
shout for the party until they fail to re-
ccive consideration, and for reform of
the civil service when they are left out.
But while States and districts, repre-
sentcd by men ofthe same party with the
President, can have the benefit of their
presentations in matters of appoint
ment, the President must grope about as
best he may for information as to men
and affairs of his own party in those
States and districts which are represented
by political opponents. Ifthe people would
accept the theories ofthe reformers-that
political opinions ought not to control
the selection of officers, and that no man
who entertains political opinions is fit
for public trust because he is politi-
clan, we could then elect some feeble
minded, opinionless man for President,
who would appoint to Office none but the
trimmers, tricksters, turncoats, and weak
lings of the no-party party which tri-
umphed in his election. The election of
such President would exclude all "poli-
ticians" from Office, and give the starved
eunuchs monopoly on the familiar
principle that to the victors belong the
spoils." No set of men in this country
would more vindictively or proscriptively
live up to that motto now so bit
terly denounced by them than would
the sham reformers. But prior to
such millennium MS we have
pictured, party Presidents WILL in
the main, appoint to Office members OF
their party. How shall they secure in
formation as to the fitness of men in the
opposition States and districts? "Hc
serves his party best who serves his
country best" said President Hayes.
"Not So" said President Garfield. "He
serves his country best who serves his
party best" and then he proceeded to
show that as one party or another must
control the government, every citizen
ought to decide which party was nearest
right and then serve his country by
putting all his influence into tht
scale of that party. And so 6
party President aims to make appoint.
ments which will be best for the public
service and best for his party. Where nc
representative of his own party has been
sent to Congress from given State OF
district he falls back upon such party
committees and individuals as seem ca
pable of giving correct information. The
applicants themselves then crowd for
ward, and there is much confusion o.
tongues. After time it has to be de
cided who are the wisest and most trust
worthy. In these confidence is reposet
for the time being. If they betray that
confidence they will necessarily lose
it. There is much talk of "syn
Dictates" and small Dictatorship
in some States. Complaints are heart
that local oracles are pretending to su
preme control of appointments and that
they are saying: 1--WE think of appoint
ing this man." 1--WE had thought of APP
pointing that man. and so on al nauseam
All of which is very silly, of course, ant
without the slightest foundation. Tn,
President has no vicegerents. All can b.
heard, and he decides We imagine tina
there could be no quicker road to his dis
favor and contempt than pretense by
any man or set of men to the control o
the appointing power.
ROnpDDn STRAIGHT.