New-York tribune., 1886-07-23
THE INTERIOR DEPfRTuENT T.

1t il gwen out that the President is thinking
Sc Ously Of getting less Objectionable At
torney- General than the hired attorney of a
company which is using the Government to en-
rich its stockholders. 1t is not pleasant To hear
that Mr. Montgomery, the notorious Zoe Of the
public school system, is supposed TO be marked
for the succession. But the Senate will have
some power to determine, III case the President
should make such a selection and its RESPONSE
bility would be to the full as great a. his if so
Objectionable a nomination should be con-
frmed. The removal of Mr.. Garland would at
least show that the President had some respect
for public opinion, and it would clear away a
scandal which disgraccs the Government 50 long
as Mr.. Garland the receiver of stoch as gilt,
remains IN the Cabinet.
While Mr. Cleveland is considering changes
he had better fix his eye on the Interior Depart
ment. As much discredit has come TO his Ad-
minIstratiOn from that department as from any
other. For Mr.. Garlands conduct has affected
the reputation of his department in only one
case. Secretary Whitney has been guilty of a
great wrong, but he has not made his depart
ment a nest OF corruption. Postmaster General
Villas has brought contempt upon the PIcsi-
IL
Reform, but the President does not seem to
think that a wrong to himself In the Interior
Department appointments as bad "a in any
other have been made, but that is by 10 means
the worst. The Secretary of thel Interior has
selected as his conspicuous ASSISTANTS two OF
the associates OF Mr.. Garland in the Pan
Eleculc scandal he took care to have the Job
bol>tered mp by an amazing report from the
Patent Office lie has personally backed up Mr.
Garland, and made the jobbcr's case his own
But that Is not al.
If the President will consider the evidence OF
jobbery in the appointment of Indian traders,
which is being given before n committee of the
Senate, he must see that he cannot afford to
have any branch OF tine pnblic service con-
Quoted IN so shameful Il fashion. The bad odor
of this business necessarily attaches to the Sec
ietary in charge of the department. Commits
sioner Atkins was his own selection, and is su,-
tanned by him. Then let the Pres, ,Aent,consider
the scandals in the Land Oflice. PERHAPS lie
thinks that Mr. Sparks meant we'll in his ont =
IageOus treatment of honest settlers, and erred
only through il-dirccted zeal. Bat has he no
complaints which show corruption and dishon-
csty IN that branch of the serviccY That
Sparks l. Il nuisance he perfectly well knows
IL he prepared to say that Sparks and his
chosen tools have been honest and clean
LANDED : Next let him consider Commissioner
Black, who rs ut this day drawing a pension
through the bureau of which he has charge ON
the Dretence that he Is physical wreck unable
to get decent living without generosity of the
Government. Does Mr.. Cleveland think
Blacks example calculated to prevent frauds in
the Pension service Perhaps he will excuse
on partisan grounds the exposed q ID shameful
untruths told by Black IN reg lrd To his prede-
cessor, though Mr.. Cleveland ought to realize
that "A MN who cannot act and speak honestly
as Il partisan cannot be trusted to behave hon
estly in other respects But 1t Is enough to ask
if he thinks Blacks example beneficial to the
public service.
These are some of Mr.. Lamar's chosen assist
ants. The President knows whether the be-
havior of these men is defended by the Secre-
tary. The one thing certain il. that the Sccre-