National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-06-29

business houses Gs H. Il. Clanln ~ Co.,
Bates, Reed - Cooley, and many others Of
the highest character furnishes at least
fair bssis on which the President may rest
his claim TO have made this decision on
business principles. On the other hand,
II is esserted-and THE REPUBLICAN, was
so advised by trusted correspondents IN
New Yorl-that IIedden is Herbert o.
Tnompson's man. This view Of the matter
is still held by the New York Sun, which,
in It's issue of yesterday, says:
We tender our cordial congratulations to the
Hon. Hubert o. Thompson.
Under other names, he was yesterday ap
pointed by tho President to control the New
YORK custom house.
He Nlhlls tho JoiIersonan requisites; he is
capable, he IS honest, he is faithful to the con-
futution. Yet VIC would rather have seen him
appointed In his own name.
The New York World OF yesterday says
that
From a business point of view President
Cleveland appears to have made unsatisfactory
choice Of collector of the port. Mr.. Edward
J.. Huddon is spoken OF fayorably by number
Of our leading merchants and shippers. His
long connection with the firm of wetmore
IINnIL ~ W., hAi Dlb luiIllihIlly WIN GuNAOUl
house business, leave no room 10 question his
capacity to discharge the duties Of the oficc
arceptably.
Politically, Mr.. Hcddcns appointment IA of
more doubtful eXpedicncy. II is announced
that the new collector has always been a Dem
ocTGt, that In the divisions that have occurred
in hc party in this city lac has identified him
self with the County Democracy, ana that his
appointment was made at the request Of the
prominent leaders Of that equalization. bat
his name is not familiar to the Democratic
masses either as an elcicnt organizer, al &C.
tive worker at the polls or potent political
speaker, No one in the party will recognize
the services Collector Hcddcnrcndcred in win
ming the victory which gives the important
Office he ia now to III into democratic hands
The New York Herald gives no positive
opinion, but deals IN "ifs" and other gen
| erulities--
If Mr., Heddcn proves to be u capable col.
! lcctor Of custoIns If he prevents fraud In the
revenue, does justice 10 the merchants and Ell
| forces the laws, no matter whether they are
good or bad-ihat will be proof that Mr.. Cleye.
land made a wise and iudicious selection. If
he should prove incapable, without ability or
| energy, or aspire to be political boss 1t will
i That is at tEetTt6 Ett is about this matter
This is instructive, to be sure, but one
| need not go all the way to New York to get
| that kind Of wisdom. The New York Iri-
Jtte is, as usual, decided and emphatic:
President Cleveland hes done many things
during his short term of Office which merit Sc
we're censure, but none which ought TO be more
sharply rebuked than his choice Of collector
for the port OF New York, In no other instance
has he used the public service more openly to
repay obligations incurred as presidential
cGndidntc, Tho faint cndeayor 10 make 1t ap.
pear that Mr.. Edward J.. Hedden was chosen
as II business man is an insult to the real bus.
inCss men Of New York 1t is also an Insult to
every citizen OF either party who cares for ubil
ily ana integrity IN the public service that this
responsible and important position should be
llled by man known only rs the tool OF Hu
bert o. Thompson, and tine tather-iu.law of one
of his associates in the 5000 scandals. It would
have been much more TO the credit Of the
PIesident If he had openly appointed ward
politician, instead Of an unknown man, recon-
monded by Thompson solely because Of the
lGtier's ability to control the patronage,
The New York Times gives the Mug
wumpian view of the matter in plain
terms:
The President has made Mr.. Hedlen collec.
tor of the port OF New York. This puts upon
Mr. Hedden the task Of justifying the appoint.
ment. II is not one which just!ieg itself It
is an appointment which win be criticised
more severely Than any other the President
has made, for II is not naturally ana couspicu.
ously I'll, but one requiring explauGtou, cluci
dniion, and even excuses and palliation. Into
the most important oliice, outside OF the caoi-
net, which the President has been called upon
10 I'll he has put man not only almost ulI.
known 10 the business community OF this city,
and al solutely unheard Of outside New York,
but, SO iur us he is known, man who repre-.
scpts Mr. Hubert o. Thompson aud nothing
else.
Such are the views Of the leading New
York papers OF all parties. Not one of
them has a word Of hearty commentator.
1t is possible, however, that the President
did not work for or expect the praise Of
any New York paper. le may have been
fully aware Of the reception which He'd
denis appointment would meet with. One
thing, however, is certain-if Hubert o.
Thompson is the proprietor of Hcdden the
proprietorship has been most adroitly dis
gu!sed by ENDORSEMENTS Of business men Of
all parties,
The President is entitled 10 the approval
of the country for tho promptuess with
which this decision was made, II for nothing
else in this connection. 1t was important,
If there must be change, that Mr. Robert
sons accounts should close and his success.
sor's should begin at the close Of the fiscal
year.
Looking at the whole matter from an i'm
partial standpoint IL would seem that the