New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-22
AFFAIRS AT WASHINGTON.
EFFORT TO kXTEND THE sPOILs SYSTEM
COMMISSIONER VESTS DESIRE TO CONTROL THE
PATRONAGE OF TIE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Luxr .I.IIIa

EFFORT TO EXTEND THE SPOILS SYSTEM
COMMISSIONERS VESTS DESIRE TO CONTROL THE
PATRONAGE OF TIE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THB rRIBUSE.I
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21.-Ex-Senator West. ~
Louisiana, a Stalwart appoin ed and confirmed only
n month ago as a Commissioner Of the DistFici Of
Columbia is seeking to take into his own exclusive
control the entire patronage Of the District
Government, and to exclude his two associat,
Commissioners, Major Morgan and Major Lydecker
from the exercise of functions with which they arc
familiar from long experience.
Major Morgan is an old resident, and for years ha,
satisfactorily filed important positions under the
District Government. having been promoted from
the position Of Chief Of Police to that Of Commis-
sioner about three years ago. Major Lydecker be-
longs to the Engineer Corps of the Army. and was
selected for the position of Engineer Commissioner
to succeed Major Twining deceased.
The local papers report that at the last meeting
of the Commissioners Mr.. West demanded the sur.
render into his hands, as president OF the Board,
of the control of the Police. Fire and Health DE.
partments The plan is said to have comprehended
the removal of the present Health Officer Of the
District and the appointment of successor 10 be
named by Nr. West who was to have control Of
the cleaning of streets and alleys.
Commissioners Ly1ecker and Morgan are re-
refused their concurrence whereupon the new Conf
missioner is said to have demanded the removal
Of the chiefs of the Fire, Police and Health De-
partments.
Concurrence being again refused. Mr.. West is re-
ported 10 have left the room with n remark 10 the
effect that he would not return a. long a. Major
Morgan remained a member of the Board. Mr.
West ieft at once for New-Y0rk. The purpose Of
the effort Of the new Commissioners is of course 20
WELD the patronage of the District Government in
the interest Of the faction of the party TO which 1t
belongs.
The star of this evening very sensibly Gays
The present form OF District government has been
trial for four years, since July 1873 and the
general verdict is undoubtedly IN its favor Despite
fault finding occasionally just, against individual ~
cias the growth OF opinion has been steadily In its IA
vor The feeling hat under this form o. government
District financial affairs have been managed honestly
and that Was ngton in its charge rapidly becoming
the best paved and SHADED. the most orderly and the
hand.omest and pcasantest CITY IN me county, Inc
shown by the good words spoken In ts behalf IN Congress
and by the constantly increasing maiorities gwen in
maiorifyHncrhaps two-thrdsIo of the District officials
and employees been Republicans, yet the Govern
ment been SO little upon partisan gauge mat
il has had the support and confidence OF all parties IN
Congress-a very important consideration In view OF Tho
close division OF parties in both houses in TACT. THIS
non-partisan character OF the District Government,
which has earned for II this general regard, was DIS
tiucy the occasion OF the passage or tho
bill providing for the commissonershp form OF govern
Both Houses OF Congress- it Will be remembered were
Democratic, and objection was made by tue Democrats
he provision giving the appointment OF the Conms-
siouers President Hayes, that ne would make IT,
partisan board. Mr.. Garfield, on the floor OF the
House. made the pledge that If the appointing power
was e with the President the Board Of Commissioners
should not he composed upon party basis and Pres
ident Hayes redeemed that pledge IN his appointments
and by nstructng he Commissioners TO avoid any thing
Ike craftsmanship their course. This Is as should be-
The strict oCoumba is the ward OF the Nation, over
which Congress and not any party has exclusive CONTROL
II eds the good viii OF all parties, and would be faM
all interests II its Government shOnd be made mere
machine In the interests OF one party ana therefore
earn the hostility of the other. TINS Ii iact
that needs serious consideration. now that the ar
full reports OF movement to reconstruct the DIS
tct Government and al its departments upon straight
ont party footing This may be fun for the political
strikers who have nothing at stake but the pr0sPtctEe
spo- Will be death to the interests OF the Dl-t'b
people. Suppose the District Government were cou-
verted into political machine working In the Interest,"
OF Malone IN Virginia. some other political poss so
where else how long would II be before Congress Wouu
Withdraw its backing District finances ana abrOsalc
the agreement secured from il with much LABOR, 10
shoulder one-half OF the District expenses Inc 'aN
paying citizen, all Interested III the prosperity Oh t
ritv shouI give this matter immediate consideration
The project is threatening danger TO theul