New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-24
RRlILIANT OPPORTUNITY.

In dealing with party which has met the re-
form of the Civil Service, from the time OF i's
first shadowy conception UP to its substantial
enactment by Republican legislation, WIN
every possible opposing force, and which now
finds itself obliged to execute the law it steadily
decricd. the people must look for cheap talk.
The emission of oily phrases costs little. For
the Last six months the country has been fairly
drowned with protestations on behalf of the
officers of the Government that all their hearts
and souls mad been given over to the cause OF
reform. until one would be justified III
surprising that they had been born mo tue
world for no other purpose than to execute tn'S
law. This kind of talk is interesting, ana we
are Ioath to assume that 1t Is all so mulch empty
sound. But as practical evidences OF IFS S'h-
ceriy are conspicuously wanting, ana ms
nractical demonstrations of its insincerity are
conspicuously numerous. it has already become
negotiable only mt IA heavy discount.
Ii may he, OF course, that no adequate oc-
casion has seemed to anse for a brilliant proof
If the Governments loyalty to the law
Perhaps its officers are not easily lmpfessIble
and cannot recognize an opportunity when they
see one Accepting the role OF good-natnred
friend. The TRIBUNE will modestly point out
how the Government can afford the country
most convincing proof of its boosted love ioI
reform, and will illustrate It's suggestion by an
historical incident. showing how honestly the
Republican party, through its chosen officials
;ipdicnted the law against one OF Its own most
hOnored members.
Collector Hedlen, Of the NewYork Custom
House. has acknowledge to dozen or more
reporters that he promoted three night in
spectors of the Barge Office watch without any
examination to the rank and pay of day in
spectors. The Civil Service law is mandatory
in saving that this shall not be done. 1t re-
uires competitive examination for filling
vacancies of that kind and compels the Col
lector to appoint only those persons qualified
under such an examination. Collector hedden,
on his own statement, therefore, has clearly
violated the Law, and in such Il way as to strike
the rudest of blows at its whole intent and pnr-
pose The Collector not only lodges informa-
ton against himself, but against his superior
officer, Secretary Manning. whom he accuses OF
having confirmed his illegal act. The case,
therefore, is plain, and imposes upon United
States District Attorney D0rshcimer the duty
of arresting, indicting and trying Collector
lIedden and Secretary Manning aud if they
are shown to be as guilty as Slr. Hedden says
they are, they should be dealt with by the court
"a the Revised Statutes OF the United States
direct. We shall be sorry to see the Collector
aud the Secretary 10 this sort of pickle, but
men who violate laws must be punished, and
In no other way can the Government furnish
the people such brilliant testimonial of its
sincerity.
The Republican party has not left it without
a splendid precedent for doing its duty. a Re-
publican District Attorney, General Woodlord
prosecuted the treasurer of Republican State
Committee three years ago, man whose dis
tingushed services IN the State all candid peo-
pie have had frequent occasion to commend, for
having received contributions from employees of
the Government for political purposes in viola
ton of this same act. If there was any element
of fault in his action, it was wholly passive, and
compared with the serious blow which Col
lcctOr Hedden says he and Manning have jointly
administered to the law, it was most trivial.
And yet he was arrested by n Republican
marshal, prosecuted by Republican District
Attorney convicted before a Republican court,
and fined $1,000. which he paid. This is how
the Republican Federal officers emphasized
their respect for the Law they had sworn to
vindicate. Now. where is Dorsheimcr7