National Republican., 1885-06-06

value in organizing the party in the
rural districts. They will simply exchange
an offensive partisan Republican for an
Offensive partisan Democrat. This phase OF
the matter you were Of course aware Of when
you invented the celebrated phrase offensive
partisan" Speaking of Postmaster General
Villas, It is well for you to know that he Is an
out and ont free trader and that tho small
postmasters whom he has the power of up.
pointing handle about s2O,OOO,O 900 annually of
the public funds, and In numbers constitute
an army. You can readily SEQ that there is
here n medium for free trade propaganda,
which, ifpushed vigorously, would prove very
dangerous to the cause OF protection.
Tho first assistant postmaster general, after
a long absence on account OF illness, has rs.
sumed the cares and responsibilities of his
office. Its duties aro quite a strain upon his
nervous system. The contrast between the
first assistant postmaster general and Appoint
ment Clerk Higgins, OF tho treasury, in their
manner of receiving applicants for appoint.
ments to ofice Is most marked. Tho latter
stands up with folded arms, with smiling face
and genial eye hears patiently tho statements
of all and asks but few questions, among
which arc us be n soldier2" and "Does he
hail from Maryland2' An affirmative roply
to these queries settles 1t, and Higgins don't
inquire whether they wore tho blue or the
gray.
Mr.. President, rs we are touching upon tho
members Of your Cabinet and your chief OH
GERS, II is not inappropriate TO congratulate you
because Secretary Bayard has found timo to
lay aside official cares and explore tho interior
of the republic. At 81. Louis tho center of
commercial, educational, and political influ-
ence of the Mississippi valley, ho was received
with the highest honors and lavish hospitality.
In his speech at the merchants exchange ho
pledged tho administration in favor Of the i'm.
proyement OF the great waterways In doing
so he took occasion to speak kindly OF his own
record on that subject while in tho senate.
This was proper under the circumstances, as
your administration has as yet Ind no oppor-
tuuity to make u record in regard to the
improvement Of the Mississippi But your
party has, having made 1t plank in their
national platform. The improvement OF tho
great national waterways, and the construc-
tion of ship canals TO connect them, is a ques.
tion of paramount Importance TO the people OF
this country. In the opinion of some of the
soundest thinkers competition between water
routes, and competition between water and
.au "a. ~. 90 4.
producer and consumer minimum rates oi
transportation. Mr.. Bayard knew, therefore,
that he touched the heart and judgment Of
that great producing section when he advo.
of improving the navigable rivers of the
country.
Mr.. President, you have been governor Of
the state of New York, and must know as well
as any one the importance ofth Erie canal to
the commerce of this country. Is not the
present the time to link the improvement oi
the rivers, the construction OF the Hennepin
canal. and the enlargement of the Erie canal
TO ship canal in one bill for national aid (
such combination, with your approval
could not be beaten by the railway magnateI
of America.
Mr.. President It is pleasant to record the
fact that when THE NATIONAL REPUBLIcAS
called upon you inviting the cooperation o.
your great influence in favor of pure water fol
the people of Washington you expressed your.
self In manner tnat was most encouraging
and proved that In this matter the people hat
an earnest friend in the President. The promp
action of the engineer corps of the army shortl!
after indicates that you must have said wore
where 1t would do the most good.
Your great predecessor the first President
George Washington, among other reasons, SO
lected this site for the capital because of ii
great number of springs, and the abundan
supply ofpure water they would furnish to thu
future inhabitants. In many hotels and resi-
dents here this pure spring water is still used
aud 1t would be well II the people in general
would mako use of 1t for drinking purposei
until the improvements are completed for the
protection of the Potomac water.
Mr.. President, 1t has been reported that yor
read in THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN of
MANNED Union soldier having been discharged
from one of the departments and his position
given to confederate. 1t is further said tha
you brought the matter before your Cabinet
where, in the discussion that ensued
two of your Cabinet members defended tn,
act whereupon you vigorously declared tina
If there was a repetition of it resignation
would be called for. This comes in wa
that entities 1t to belief Perhaps thi
is why Higgins inquiries, WAS he
soldicr?' In this connection and Il
closing 1t seems wise to inform you tina
the clerks in the various departments fee
great apprehension regarding their positions
lfsn executive order could be made that com
petent clerks OF good record, under the ciyi
service law should not be disturbed upon an
pretext. such as offensive partisanship, tn
business men of Washington would be benc
flied, and the clerks and their families mad
happy,
In all matters relating to the good OF tn
people of this District and of our commo
country 1t is desired that you will receive tn
suggestions OF THE REPUBLICAN In the broa
and catholic spirit in which they are intendc
to be given-free, us far as may be, from tn
bitter prejudlces Of partlsanship.
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN.