New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-21
LEoNIDAS THE VALIANT.
HIS VICTORY OVER SECRETARY HokE
SMITH.
TT WAS FIGHT FOR PRINCIPLE AND GREAT
Is THE GEORGIANS' REJoIcING-ONE
BITTER DROP IN THE CUP OF JOY.

Is THE GEoRGIANs' REJoIcING-ONE
Filter DROP IN THE CUP OF JOY.
fpr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington May cO--As modest as Grant after
the surrender at Appomatox, or as Doroet aler Inc
modern battle OF Ncw-Orleans, appeared congressman
Ieonidas F. Livingston. Of Georgia, today, as he
received the warm and enthusiastic COMMENTATORS "i
h,otber eorgans who regard his victory over secre-
tary Eoke Smith as OF the greatest achievements
~ ancient or modern times. The casus belll was
only small and rather insignificant fourthclass post
mastershp but the principle involved was regarded as
~ the first magnitude, and there can be no doubt
that when Colorcl Livingston returns to Atlanta in
txnmnh be will be welcomed with as much en'husl
asm as Napoleon ever was when he entered Paris
after one OF his most brilliant and successful cam
pagns.
II the Georgians who surrounded the valiant Colonel
this afternoon not greatly mistaken. Secretary
Smith is trying not only 10 administer one of the
largest and most difficult Departments oil the Govern
mept but also TO control the distribution CT all the
Federal Offices in Georgia, regardless of the wishes
and preferences of the Senators and Representatives,
from that state. They assert that there Is no plum
80 small that he does not seek to pluck ana use u
for his own political benefit and that there Is no
office so important desirable that he does not ry
10 have It filled by the appointment of a man who
WILL stand his friend and supporter four years hence
when he expects to be candidate for United States
SENATOR These men therefore regard Colonel Living
ston as great public benefactor. and his victory
over the Secretary most teneficen' one
OF course the Colonel did not VIII the battle alone.
ard he Is no doubt grateful TO President Cleveland
for his timely and powerful aidso grateful. perhaps
that he may be willing 10 vote against iice SILVER
and for the repeal of the Silver Purchase IL" at the
first opportunity But JOY over tmS Nc'oiS, ere"'
and sweeping II was. Is not unaioyco. lhc'o !
a horrible report current which makes democrats
from other states besides Georgia shudder lest 'ur'
out IN be true 1t Is effect that no 1ourtlctSS
postmaster will be removed whether he mas ser'eo io
years or longer, unless charges are pl'eir'u as'''
him The Democratic Congressman object 10 this'
because there are many good and honest men among
Republcan postmaSters against whom no charges can
be made. And again II is di>agreeabe "or I" 'oo"
mn evider,e and file written charges against hundreds
Of postmastcrs in ones district IL Is h''uieSs ~
say that the order is an extremely Unpopular o"V
indeed so much so that Mr.. Bissell VIII pr"paoE pe
torced IN ,cpesl it, It's enforcement would mean the
re-m.ren, retention OF ands of Republican post
masters who happen to be good men, above reproaon.
.nd against whom nothing can be said except mat
they are Republicans.
II NAV also be observed that the rule OF order does
mt seem to be in strict harmony with fresloeh'
r1eveland.s "ofensive partisanshp' policy, as pro-
p,ulrated n few days ago 1t seems ply 'ha' INC
Administration feels compelled often 10 resort 10
subterfuces which deceive nobody, In orner 10 se' IN
OF oficeholders whose sole offence Is li''' ,h'! o
publcans Nearly every order" RUE OF VIM
not that has been framed anu so'e""''
during The last two months and more has hau oh'E
ono object as every Intelligent man Knows ana Una,
object Is TO turn out Republicans in order 10 Pu'
IN democrats In some 'ases 1t appears tha' even
after vacancies have been made the De"o'r"
chosen to fill them have met Win uieApe. na
ep obstacles For example, there has
-, ho., in force in the Treasury Department
wholesome rule, made by Mr.. sherman when ne ~as
secretary which required that every person apl"n.-
chief Of a division should undergo an eAa'i'" war,v
- " ,,,uon,or,e and fitness for the place. Early
t. .dn,,r,s,r.tion secretary Carlsle's attention
was called to the rule. and he remarked '"a' !. m"
q wise regulation and should stand: II - UNI r,,a
stood that Mr.. Carlisle has now rescihded ,''I
and the effect will be that men VINO nav 80. ,ras bv
wv - 49, fotpd the examination-whch was pS
~" -. a severe one-too much for thein' VIII W
anowed free entrance into the service: .,,o.
This sort of Civil Service reform is h,shy rop"'"
among Democratic applicants Tor iacr have been sue
ccessf,l II the rule had been enforced.