New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-23
TIE OFFICES AND PIRTIES

"How is this; are some Republicans grum-
bling about appointments by their own freSi-
dent p, Certainly has there ever been party
which unanimously preferred the same persons
for every Office in the country? For that mat
fer has there ever been party which had not
more applicants than there were Offices, and
which did not discover among Its members
some new cases of acute disappointment a1oer
every selection2 II there are ten men Trying
for one postofHce, does anybody suppose that
George Washington or an angel from on high
could contrive to satisfy nine OF themF Ihere
are some closet philosophers, and few poll
ticians of a bygone generation, who stll mag
inc that patronage serves to keep party To-
qether. But practical men with their eyes open
are aware that the patronage is d!dntegraang
force, and the distribution of the Offices almost
invariably makes trouble within party.
Is it. then, curse to the public which oughS
to be avoided as far as possible by putting
people into office for life or good behavior
That does not follow at all. One Of the neces-
sary functions OF party in free government
IL 10 aid in selecting capable and good mon
for Office, and the party has TO perform that
duty, Just as it has to perform any other, ut
the cost of some loss Of strength, II it votes
manfully and bravely for wise measures, and
soueIches all Jobs, II offends some patriots OF
the hungry sort in every case. But then its
conduct on the whole satisfies the great body
of good citizens, and gains more strength from
opponents than IT loses from self-seesong
friends. It is the same with that most nwel-
como of all tasks, the selection OF men for
places of honor and trust. Some are certain
to be offended. But good selections will in
crease public confidence and win more votes
than they will sacrifice.
II is not In accordance with the theory OF our
government that participation in its labors and
honors should be removed as far from the peo-
nile as possible and confined to an official class
That method may be the best for governments
which are not of the people, by the people, and
for the people. But here the certainty that m
official cannot long hold his place without ex-
ceptional fidelity, zeal and success in serving
the public, operates always as strong stimulus
to effort. Selection Of many thousand men
fresh from the people to administer the diner
ent branches Of the government leads to per-
petuaI improvements, and brings the thoughts
the criticisms and the wishes Of the people tc
bear on every detail Of the service. Better
vet, participation in the honors and duties Of
the government educates multitude Of citizens
to broader and higher conception of public
duties so that they and others within their in
Huenoe are ever after better qualified for theii
part as voters and partiSans.
1t is well to remember that the carping Of
partisan or personal dissatisfaction counts FOL
nothing in the end against judicious ant
honest selection Of suitable men. And the
people take It for granted that their officials
from the President down, are not going to ge
on with no mistakes whatever. Errors Of
judgment, errors of information, will occur II
every Administration. But the general char
acter of the men appointed the general eff
cheney Of the service secured will in the emf
form the basis of popular Judgment Of TIN
Administration which will become it's history
1t is fidelity Of service which wins in the enc
the laurels that do not fade.