New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-27
ARTHUR's CAMPAIGN METHODS.
THEIR INFLUENCE UPON SENATE COMMITTEE
pRFsInENTIAI. TERM
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I


lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WAsU1NGTON Nav 26.-The action of the Judi
ciary Committee of the Senate in reporting favor
ably constitutional amendment limiting the
Presidential term to six years and making the PreS
dent or President in of succession ineiG-
bic for another term, has givenTise to good deal
of comment. Constitutional amendments OF ike
character have been introduced number oftlmes in
Congress but this is the first instance that Judic
ary Committee has acted favOrably upon such
measure The report was adopted almost unan-
monsy. Senators Mcmillan and Hoar being the
only members of the committee opposing it,
II is said and not without some degree of reason,
that the arguments made in behalf of the amend
ment were the direct result OF the Presidents ac-
ton in using the official patronage at Ihs disposal
for the purpose of securing his own nomination.
The nomination to office of Bingham, StrObach and
Speed, in Alabama; of Keogh in North Carolina;
the promotion of Barney Biglin's brother and the
Bppontment of Steve" Frenchs brother to a
lucrative post in Alaska are thought to have infu-
'enced the scommittee in taking the action it did.
Another argument in favor of the amendment was
the indiscreet conduct of some of the Presidents
friends which came under the direct notice of
members of the committee 1t appears that the
Arthur managers have for week or two past
singled out the men employed in the Departments
who happened to be delegates to the National Con-
vention and put the thumbscrew on them in man
ner which made the victims squeal and tell all they
knew about the treatment they had been subjected
TO.
TRYING COERCION AND THEN SOMETHING ELSE.
In one OF the Departments delegate was told by
his immediate superior that he would be expected
10 vote for Arthur. He denurred. The chief of the
division sent for him. The delegate refused to com
nit himself. The Assistant Secretary next tried his
luck with the man, but without success. The Secre-
tary himself finally took hand III the. game of
budozing; but he too, had to give up the attempt.
after WHILE to get an expression of opinion from
this sngularly independent subordinate. As last
resort the delegate was given TO understand that If
he would look about in the Department and find
some position to his fancy, 1T would not be nposs-
bic perhaps to crafty his wishes in this direction, If
the rest may be imagined. This coming 30 the
ears Of one Of the members of the Judiciary Com
mttee determined him support the constitutional
amendment proposed.
Another instance, quite fragrant, is SAID to have
been that of an Illinois delegate who left the city
indignant and denOmcing the Administration for
daring to offer him in, manner not to he mis-
understood, vacant judgeship in certain
Territory.
FLAGRANT INSTANCE.
Still another case, winch was well known to the
members of the Judiciary Committee when they
discussed the amendment, but which has escaped
attention heretofore. is that of Mr. Swift who not
long ago appointed special agent of the Treas
ury Department for the Northwestern District
Swift had never been in the public service before
He had no experience whatever, knowledge of
the duties he called upon TO perform yet to
enable him to draw pay at the rate of IS a day.
Captain G. c. Adams, who-fo many years had been
an eninently trustworthy and efficient oricer, was
reduced in rank and MIR. Douglas. another official in
the way of Swfts appointment. was transferred to
ST. Paul. Swift was here q short time ago in con.
sultation with Congressman Davis and Chief OF
Special Agents Martin both of whom are pro-
nounced Arthur men and delegates to the National
Convention, the from Illinois and the other
from Maryland.
Tactics al this character are said to induced