Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-09-04
senator Edmu.d. In,srvlswed.
tFrom the Boston Record.l


was disappointed when l met Senator
Edmunda. Let any man who takes stock In
the stories afoat about bis lack OF sympathy
meet him ~ one gentleman meets another
and he will find q most genial and hearty
person. l never met a warmer er-heartod, n
more cordial and interesting gentleman in
my life than this Vermont senator TO whom
was introduced at "Oamp Pingree' yesterday.
Instead Of reserve, Indifference or want OF
sympathy, the senator shows the utmost
frankness and deep interest, and was himself
most interesting and entertaining. saw
him later in the day chatting vivaoiously,
joking and laughing with ladies and gentle
men friends by whom he was surrounded,
and found his GOODNESS a myth.
After q short conversation with the senator
the Record correspondent asked him IL he
would say anything for the public in regard
TO state or national politics. As to certain
questions In state politics he said he should
hesitate AZ to saying anything, as delicaoy
would naturally forbid IL. He had been in
the service 30 long that, whatever faults he
may have committed, he hardly thought II
best 10 say anything in regard 10 those mat
tors which touched upon himself personally.
As 10 national politics, however, the senator
seemed free TO speak. lie had, he said, been
away 80 long that he might not feel perfectly
clear on many points, but had no hesitancy
III kNHB hugtuiuB ttht ne NbH cOuiu
Your correspondent then mentioned the
subject OF tho course OF the administration.
Ia regard 10 appointments and the question
Of Mr.. Edmunds's probable attitude in the
Senate In regard 10 appointments which were
not In accordance with the principles Of civil
service reform, taking as an instance the case
Of Gen. Wells and the Burlington collector.
ship, Senator Edmunds Immediately replied
well, 40 far ~ that is concerned any one
who knows me and my course in years past
knows that l have always been, and am still,
friend aud advocate OF civil-service reform.
He knows, too, that should oppose any de.
parture from that principle in the matter Of
appointments, whether the person immedi
ately concerned be a friend or an entire
stranger, whether he be from Vermont or
from Texas. As TO the policy of the admin
istration In this matter, l said last spring
that Me-. OlevelRnd's intentions wero good,
and that II he got the right kind OF men
about him he might be able TO carry out his
purposes in this regard. BY right kind OF
men, meant men friendly 10 civil-service re-
form and with backbone to stand out against
the opposition they would encounter from
the Democratic spoilsmen. Such opposition
must necessarily be very great for the larger
part OF that party still cling TO the old
JaoksOnian principle in regard TO appoint
ments. But President Cleveland has not
about him the men who would help him in
Adhering to oivil-service reform. The ma
jority OF his cabinet are unfavoTable 10 II.
Nov, it is impossible for one man TO inves-
tigAte the details concerned in each appoint
ment The President cannot know himself
the circumstances Of on per cent Of the ap-
pointments he makes There would not be
time enough, II he worked "a hours q day,
for him 70 attend personally TO them all
Hence the difficulty OF carrying out this prin.
| ciple when the President and his advisers do
not agree in regard 10 it. Thus Il is that at the
present time mans name comes mp for re-
| movAl some Bpecious charges have been
prepared against him, In the case of Gen.
Wells. The man is removed and another ap-
| pointment made without the truth or the
falsity OF the ohaages being known or even
investigated. think there is no doubt that
gradually these charges will continue until
| the policy and practice Of the administration
have degenerated into simply q apoils system.
| There Is no doubt that il the Senate had not
been Republican the change would have come
already. II the Senate had been Democratic,
| il would not have adjourned when it did, but
would have stayed over q month or more,
and there would have been a ''clean sweep"
| Senator Edmunds said that he should remain
in Darlington the rest OF the summer, save,
perhaps short trip TO Washington, 10 zee
about some matters In the supreme court.
"You know" says he, that's what rely ON
TO get my bread"