Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-02

| interview in surprise. exclaimed,
/" What charming woman Lady Jer-
| vols is.,' WHAT" said her friend.
!. wby, that's Miss Genevievc Ward.
| the actress ~ Paralyzed with horror,
Mrs. Archdeacon gasped, staggered.
and fled. and the incident will be q
popular story in Christ church for many
day.
the sresis.
RICHMOND, VA. March 81, 1885.
| To The Editor of the Dispatch;
Sir,--I do not wish 20 occupy your
valuable space with hurrah articles on
.sthe spoils.r nor do ! wish to take up
| your valuable time with discussion Of
this question Of civil service, which
seems to tend to.disputes Of such ran
| cor all over the State as to threaten to
rend the party. Let Us hope not.
though. Let not the hope and lust OF
Office be the inspiring motive Of De-
mocracy. Let il not be said OF Vir-
GINA Democrats that it required g the
cohesive power Of public plumber " to
hold them together. The national De-
mocratic party has for twenty-four
years passed through defeats, and at
last marched on to glorious victory
without this potent Republican spsll,
and it is not now essential to the party
fidelity of the followers Of Jefferson.
1t is no disgrace to hold Federal
Office, and no dishonOr to fail to get one
if sought.
But 10 the subject: OF course, this
writer meant no intimation in former
article that the press Of Richmond were
influenced in their opposition to the
power Of recommendation (appointment)
by congressman by motives which might
influence an ofiice-seeker. 1t is the
latter. under such circumstances as be-
fore referred to, to whom suspicion
might attach. But you, Mr.. Editor, |
presume and | believe. are actuated by
honest principle in your opposition to a
practice which has always prevailed un-
ill the advent Of the present Admins
tration. You quote, Mr.. Editor, the
civil-seryice law in defence of your
theory. You must admit it has never
been put into general practice-that
is, does not apply to many offices
under the Government. will confess,
sir. in all candor. the naming of this
law nauseates party-worker. But
you 60 even further than :. Gentleman
Georges" odious code. and would, /
believe. include all offices under its be-
nign provisions for you say " But we
have already quoted the law of, the
land (ciyil-service rules1 which, il it was
demanded by the wants of the civil
service, so far as the offices touched by
that law are concerned, ought for
much stronger reason to be made to APP
ply to more important offices now under
consideration. Heavens Is it for this
we have labored for this we have
learned "to watch and to wait -?
Keep on extending the scope of this
law. Mr.. Editor, and directly the spirit
of conservatism will grow so strong
that an amendment to .he Con-
stitution making the presidential term
for life will be demanded. Ii seems
hard that the peoples wishes can
not be respected. The slogan of
the last campaign was, Turn the ras-
calls out" There was no other issue,
they said. Daniel Manning, in his
Albany Argus. wrote at the head Of
his editorial columns Tariff not an
ISSUE" The cry was honest govern
ment; reform in the departments is
what is demanded by the people. And
now the question presents itself to the
people, how can there be honest gov
eminent if there are dishonest officials
in the departments; If they were dis
honest then they are dishonest now,
and if they were not dishonest then the
battle-cry was false one. But to re-
turn to the subject. You say. Mr.. Ed
itor, in criticising the position take
in regard TO recommendations to Office
by congressman. The President has
no voice in the matter: the people at
home are not to be consulted" &C.,
&c. With due respect to the Presi-
dent and to you. Mr.. Editor, the Offices
do not belong to him. He has the power
of appointment " by and with the ad-
vice and consent off, one branch of
Congress the Senate and, in my
judgment, had much better exercise
that power, in ordinary instances. at
the suggestions of members Of Con-
gress, than to undertake the intermina-
bic task Of examining petitions and
counter-petitions signed by "Quiet
Business-Men." Many "quiet bust
ness-men have signed for each of the
candidates for postmaster of this city.
How is the President to decide between
these candidates: Is the suggestion or
recommendation Of the member Of
Congress to 60 for naught:
As for the people at home not being
consulted by the NJ. c. OF course they
will be consulted. To do otherwise
would be for the member to commit
suicide politically.
Your assertion that il compelled to
choose between the civil-service rules
Extending to all subordinate offices, |
presumed and civil-service controlled
by congressman, you would elect the
former, will not, | confidently predict,
meet with the approval of Democratic
voters.
Lastly, Mr.. Editor, in noticing your
slur at the ward politician and re-
mark about "unscrupulous partisan"
| will say there are many gentlemen
who feel an interest and take an active
part in politics-are members of ward
clubs--who are nevertheless "quiet
businessmen" and are not 'unscru-
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