The Portland daily press., 1885-09-18
MORE REFORM.

Capt. George r. Bacon has been a weighe1
in the New York custom house for the pasl
fifteen years. That he has been faithful
officer nobody pretends to deny Indeed, all
the evidence tends to show that he has been
conspicuously faithful So great confidence
had the business men in him that they bought
and sold goods at his weighing. Neither had
he made himself offensive by political activi-
ty. Indeed there seems to be no doubte what
ever that in every respect he has been a
model officer.
The other day he was suddenly notified to
step down and out No charge had been
brought against him, no explanation was
vouchsafed either to him or the public of the
reason why his resignation was asked for.
Secretary Manning was inquired of, but he
sent back word that he had not time to an
swer newspaper questions and run his de-
partment, and declined peremptorily to say
anything himself or to permit any of his
subordinates to. If the Mugwumps were as
tonished by Capt. Bacon's removal, they were
paralyzed with amazement at the selection of
his successor. To remove an officer of
his standing, without charge, was of it.
self a violation of the spirit of civil service
reform, which the Mugwumps might well
complain of, but to remove him to make room
for one of Boss McLaughlin's ''heelers," a
keeper of rumshop and disreputable ward
politician, all of which the man Sterling, who
has been appointed to the office, was and is,
was violation not only of the spirit of civil
service reform but of common decency as
well, and a direct slap in the face to all re-
spectacle Democrats as well as Republicans
and Mugwumps.
The person primarily responsible for this
outrage is Collector Hadden, who we were
told sometime ago was n prominent business
the President to preside over the New York
custom house because Of his strong attach
ment to the reform views of the administra-
ton. But Collector Hadden does not bear
the burden alone. Sterling's appointment
was approved by Secretary Manning, gen
tleman who did not profess to be much of a
reformer when he went into the Cabinet, but
is supposed to have been converted since.
Thus the head of the most important custom
house in the country and the head of the most
important department of the government are
convicted of prefering for the important posi-
IlOA VI N0lShOA q hCCpCl VI d lulllolop, d ulS-
reputable ward politician, aman totally unfa-
miliar with the duties he is to perform; to
man of unblemished reputation, who enjoyed
to an unusually high degree the confidence
of all the merchants who had business at the
custom house. who had demonstrated his..com-
potency by fifteen years of satisfactory SER
vice, who had not dabbled in politics, against
whom no charge had been brought or could
be brought The secret of this preference is
not far to seek. The Brooklyn weigher has
the appointment of some 800 laborers An
election is coming, and Boss Mclaughlin
wants somebody in the offices to his liking
Without his powerful aid the Democratic
majority which Brooklyn is relied upon to
give, could not be secured. Hence Nc
Laughlin's wishes must be acceded to.
The facts stated above do not rest upon the
authority of Republican organs. We gather
them from so distinguished an organ of the
administration as the New York Evening
Post--a paper which is ever ready to extenu-
uate and apologize for any shortcomings on
its part For this performance it confesses
frankly that it can find neither extenuation
nor excuse. Hear it:
The case is crucial one. 1t is an ex-
preston of contempt in the strongest and
clearest form for the principles of good gov
eminent by the persons whom the President
has put in charge Of the most important
Office in THE country. Theyi could not put