New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-04
WHY MR. PHELPS VAS APPOINTED.


MFR. Hiram Atkins, the leading and we'll
known Democratic editor of Vermont, appears
in a recent interview in The Washington Post
the organ of Mr. Cievelands Administration
TO explain the appointment of Mr.. Phelps to the
first mission in the gift of the Government.
Mr.. Atkins spoke as the ardent friend, personal
and POLITICAL of Mr.. Phelps. This extract from
what he said possesses genuine interest:
Post reporter-To what influence do you attribute his
appointment OF 1t is far beyond tho claims OF
your State in political point OF view
Mr. Atkns-Yes, that is true, but for many years Mr.
Pheps has been one OF the closest Of Mr. Bayards per-
sona friends Mr. Bayard has been his ideal OF state
man. In 10 when we were all solid Tor Iiden' MI
Phelps earnestly favored the nomination OF Mr. Bayard
In $50 we voted every time for Hancock and yet Mr.
Phelps was lust solid for Bayard In 1854, while YER
mont was for Cleveland the voice OF Mr. Phelps was Tor
Baysrd lie knew and appreciated him highly MT.
Bayard knew Mr. Phelps as well. and seems 10 nave aP
preciated him highly and that Is douo'o'S '"'
why the position rendered him.
This seems to be quite authoritative. We
have at last got at the solid truth and bottom
facts of the case. Mr.. Phelps was appointed
Minister to England simply because he had
been in three consecutive campaigns, those of
10, 80 and 'S4, steadily and enthusiastically
for Mr.. Bayard as q Presidential candidate.
Probably this is the first time in our diplomatic
history that the English mission has been used
to pay not the political debt of party, but an
individual, personal obligation OF defeated
Presidential candidate who was afserward
appointed Secretary of State. We have
heard a great deal of late to the effect
that a public Office is public trust. and
no one has spoken more loudly or more fire.
quently than Mr.. Bayard in support OF that
worthy maxim. Now Mr. Bayard is put to the
test, and, presto change. All the leading states
men OF the Democratic party are thrown aside
in q moment Thurman is conveniently forgot
ten. Horatio Seymour is ignored. Judge Alb
bolt, of Massachusetts,. is passed by with con-
tempt General Mcclellan is coldiy overlooked.
Pinkney White is not thought OF.
Abram s. Hewitt is ignored. Mcdonald Is
offered only the inhospitable SHOWS OF Russia !;
and Pendleton is packed off to Germany.
All the statesmen and heroes of the party are
neglected that Mr.. Bayard may compliment a
Vermont lawyer, absolutely untrIed in public
life, with the greatest place at the disposal OF
the Administration. But Mr.. Bayard feels JUS
tilted in his Judgment. He knows Mr.. Phelps Is
the right man. He is perfectly sure that
man VINO, ike Mt. IhtIpS, couiu uioOoi" 'ii'
Bayard's transcendent fitness for the Presi-
dency has a soundness of judgment to be
trusted in all places and on all subjects.
1t was the elder Weller, we believe, who
wished his livery stable friend to take
care of his wife's will when. probated,
on the ground that ga man who can form
accurate judgment of horse can
form accurate judgment of anything
There -assuredly no public trust on Mr..
Phelps's lrt. He got his pay right down rur
moment Mr.. Bayard got hold Of Federal
patronage and could use it to reward his per-
sonal friends. But we submit to MIR. Bayard
as a practical politician, which he evidently
aspires to be, that the English mission is too
high pay for small delegation like that OF
Vermont, which is unable, in the end, to
deliver the electoral vote.