National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-06-21
Tho "Bayne of Our Politics

The "Bayne" of Our Politics.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue
has for five years past recommended that
n term of office for internal-revenue col
lectors be fixed by law. Under the present
law there is no time designated during
which collectors shall serve. They are n
sort Of aristocracy. The main body of
United States officials hold during term
Of four years. 1t is proposed that all col
lectors of internal revenue shall come
under the same condition. Why notP
Is there anything sacred about revenue
collector? Must the execution of the laws
be taken from the President of the
United States and vested in privileged
class of oilice-holders On Monday the
bill came up to fix the tenure of these
Offices 1t proposed to limit the term to
four years-the same as that of the Presi-
dent. Shocking, was it not? 1t pro-
vided that on the 30th ofJune all who had
then served four years should go out,
unless reappointed. As to those who on
that day had not served four years, their
terms were to expire four years from the
day on which they took Office. 1t further
provided that all collectors should there
after be appointed for q term of four
years. Was there anything in all this to
justify an outcry? Is life tenure of
Office demanded by the people? Is it not
the boast of our institutions that limited
terms for all but judicial offices insure a
sense of responsibility to the people? As
well have life term for the Presidency
as for any other executive Office.
The Republican party will meet
the issue with the mossbacked revenue
collectors who demand retention for life.
The Republican party will meet the issue
with the big distillers who have formed
attachments with the gaugers and watch
men under the collectors. There are one
hundred and twenty-siX collectors in the
United States During General Arthur's
term he has appointed eighteen. OF
these, three had been designated by
General Garfield, and were appointed
by his successor in Difference to
his known wish. Says the lying
New York 7iibuae "There was no re-
moval in any of these cases." But there
was. General Garfield could not have
made collector without removing one.
How could he? They hold for life un-
less removed. None had died none
had resigned. Therefore, three had to
be removed in order to make way for
the three desired by General Garfield.
Never was such coarse and disgusting
hypocrisy as is to be found in the OPP
position to this bill. The usual lie of
laying it at the Presidents door was
to have been expected. He had no
more to do with it than he had with the
promulgaton of the Ten Commandments.
This Mr. Bayne, of Pennsylvania, well
knew when he coarsely assailed him in
the House on Monday. But it was thought
to be good enough Morgan until after
election. Mr.. Bayne roared Justify about
the Presidents wish to have the bill
passed, and endeavored to pose as q star
roformer. Instead of producing the effect
desired for himself he appeared TO the
public as ravenous, spoils-hunting
machinst. Everybody in the House
knew that he WAS whining over
the displacement of his henchman
Sullivan who was only allowed, poor fel-
low, to hold his Office for hrelre years
What are we here for, Mr.. Bayne, if we
cannot keep political striker in place
What If he has pulled away at the public
teat for twelve years? Was not his dep
uty, Mr.. Bradley, the fugleman for mod
est Mr.. Bayne at Harrisburgin 1851, when
the latter SO eagerly sought to push him
self into the United States Senate in
place of the regular caucus nominee of the
Republican caucus? Is not the laborer
worthy of his hire? Shall the OK be
muzzled that treadeth out the corn
Who will fight for Mr.. Bayne again if he
cannot reward his chief henchman with
Office? Shall we not have reform when
personal politics and political dickers
require it? Out upon the wicked poll
ticians who upset the swill-pail in the
hands of Mr.. Bayne. Pure and unde-
filed politics require that Mr.. Bayne's
drafts be honored. Fie upon you, Presi-
dent Arthur, for not considering the debts
due by Mr.. Bayne for services rendered
HMM his raid against the caucus nominee
for United States Senator in 1881 in the
Pennsylvania legislature.
We have a suggestion to make. Let
Mr.. Bayne's mouth be shut by turning
out Mr., Jackson and reappointing Mr..
Sullivan to the internal revenue col
lectorship in the Allegheny district,
Our word for it, that this would cure all
the yearnings Of Mr., Bayne for civil-ser-
vice reform-at least until he should be
again refused some place for "hench-
man."
Prosperity to the country and long life
to the dominant party are always pro-
NOTED by a liberal policy in regard to