National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-28
on,ee-hoIder. vs.. book Agents.

O1ico-hoIders VS.. book Agents.
The Philadelphia Press insnuates through
its correspondence and charges editorially
That President Arthur is using the machinery
and patronage of tho governments to secure
his renominatiop, There is not particle of
proof to sustain the charge. 1t would be safe
to defy the production of any evidence, either
direct or oireumstautial, that the President
has mado a single appointment with view
to furthoring or promoting his personal in
terests, or that he has at any time, either di-
roctly or indirectly, brought tho influence of
his position to bear on any federal office
holder to shape or sway the latter's action
favopably to himself In foot, it Is within
the limits Of moderate assertion to say that
no president in his first term, has been mora
scrupulously careful to avoid the appearance
ofstriving for self.aivancement than Presi-
dent Arthur has, Without any loud profess
sions on his part his administration has boon
steadily, positively, and aggressiyely in the
interests Of civil service reform, and his APP
pontmOnts have been mado with such admi :
rable regard for tho good of the public SER
vice and tho fitness of appointces as to chal-
lcnge tho approval even Of his political one.
mics. Not only this, but tho President has
glvon formal notice through the Associated
Press that no expected and desired every
oilice.holder to exercise tho utmost freedom
and Independence of action in respect Of
choice of presidential candidates.
But even IL it were true, as tho Pres,
charges, that the President is using tho govern
ment machinery and patronage to advance
his own interests for the nomination, wa do
not think there would be any reason, in view
of recent developments, to comprehend danger
GUS results. As there are correcting and
countorbalancing forces in nature, SO there
are in politics There ia greater power in
this country than government patronage
We refer to the book agent. Under ordi-
nary circumstances the charge that al incum
bent Of the presidential Office was using
government patronage to secure his renomi-
nation would be calculated to alarm thought
ful and patriotic citizens Happily, however,
the present circumstances are peeuliar and we
can contemplate with serenity the possibility
of the President endeavoring to utilize the
patronage of his Office in view o
the fact that there has been suddenly in
troduced into our politics power that is So
much greater, more universal, and effective
The combined power Of the book agents of
this country cannot be over-estimated, and
there is good ground for indulging cheerful
hope that this great power isabout to be util'
lied in the interest of the Presss candidate
Mr.. Blaine. Thobook agents-alwaysa whole
some and identifying factor in social ljfe--car
be made means Of salvation In politics. The.
have the advantage of oflice-holders at ever
point. III the first place, thoy greatly outnum
Dor the ofTice-hoders, for the number of bool
agents in the field at any ono time is smal
compared with the number in reserve. Tn
total number OF office holders does not mucl
exceed 100000, and they cannot DO arbitraril.
increased. The army Of book agents in active
service is more than twice this number
while those in reserve, capable of bearin
books, are fully as numerous. 1t is therefor
safe to say that in an emergency, such as
presidential campaign, not less than 10000
able-bodied book agents can ba modified o
| chat nation RnEida ba hnnlr in hi
individual capacity, il Q far more poten
factor than the oJice.ha The latte
can only be in one place at a time, Th
book agent is ubiquitous. Pho oMce-holde
is sometimes reserved and even modest; tn
book agept is always active, aggressive, an
helligerept. Oifiee-holders are not slwas
popular among their neighbors. Book agent
arc welcome guest in every household, tn
|, sunshine of the counting room, and every
hnhy's friend. Office holders ore sometime
selfish Book agents go about doing good
Their characteristics are such that they easil
penetrate to the Utmost recesses Of privat
life, and establish themselves in the heart
and homes Of the people. 1t needs no argr
mept to prove the mighty power of such
factor in politics. Divided they hardly ey'
fall; united they can stand against Il
world. Inssmuch as this tremendous agenc
is about to bo utilized for Mr. Blaine we
not think there is any danger TO be- Apr
hended from tho activity of the Office. holde
TOR any other candidate Tho book agen
will save tho country.